A little over a year ago, Sovereign Beck inspired my second post. Using creative eyes and conservative hands, Ryan Sovereign and William Beck continue to prove that men’s fashion can be both classic and cutting edge. The latest collection is a reminder that it’s the subtleties that make the man, whether the details are conveyed in print, pattern or a combination of both. Check out our Q+A with this Brooklyn creative force for a glimpse into their daily routine!
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PP: What websites and/or news sources do you generally start your day with- do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?
RS: No routine, I rely on various links people send me. Usually I will look up something specifically if the mood strikes, in most cases something about a musician. I check the refinery 29 emails sometimes when they pop into my inbox. I don’t even think I really have anything bookmarked. Guess I’m not very good at the internet news. Maybe there is just too much out there?
WB: I just check my email, weather, ebay and maybe cnn. If somebody sends me something I might check it out and will look up information on a specific subject if needed. I usually just go online in the morning and before bed so I don’t get a chance to spend a lot of time surfing.
PP: How did you discover your talent and how has it evolved over your creative career?
RS: I guess like many people, my artistic leaning began in high school and I’ve been lucky enough to follow through with them. I’d like to say it has become more specific or fine tuned over the years..but I’m still all over the map, dabbling in this and that. Ties have been the longest running so that must be as good sign.
WB: I was always encouraged by my parents to participate in the arts so it has always been part of my life. As I grew up, I found strengths in certain talents and pursued them further. I think with anything, practice makes perfect. Whether I’ll ever achieve perfection certainly is a question mark, but I like to think that I am getting better.
PP: Please explain your design process when approaching a new concept or product line.
RS: Our design process generally starts with a few sketches we like and then build around them. There generally isn’t a big concept behind our collections, but we’ve definitely tried to make some up. generally if a group looks good together and we feel each individual design is unique we are happy.
PP: What is your preferred method of design and how is it incorporated in your final product? (ie. collage, computer, handwork, etc.)
RS: Most design are created with a sketch, then either interpreted on the computer or by hand. Depending on which is more appropriate for the design. Only one design is actually lifted from another source..an old-timey children’s illustration book
PP: When is the last time you took a professional/creative risk? Please explain.
RS: That would have to be the time when we decided to start making neckties when the sale of ties was plummeting! While the world was into t-shirts, jeans and designer handbags..we did ties. Seemed like a good idea.
WB: I feel every time we introduce new designs we are taking a risk. You never know what people are going to react positively towards or simply detest. So far it had been mostly positive but I am sure there are plenty of haters out there.
PP: How do you incorporate commercial trends into your collection and and is this a factor that drives your design?
RS: For better or worse we’ve kind of neglected that from the get go. We didn’t really find anything relevant and just didn’t believe in trends. Lately in my world I’ve been much more submerged in commercial trends so I think they do seep in here in there whether it’s apparent or not. Frankly I find the world of ties pretty boring and has been for a while. probably the reason we got into it in the first place.
WB: We’ve really tried to remove ourselves from commercial trends (starting a tie company in the time of casual style comes to mind). We may try to work with colors that we feel are more acceptable and keep our patterns from becoming to over the top but that as much reflects our own desires in what we create as the trends of the day. If we had a nickel for every time somebody has asked or told us to start making “skinny ties” we’d be rich. We will still never make one.
