Fashion Week Profile: Antony Taylor

Name/Age: Antony Taylor, 24

Hometown: Jamaica, Queens, Bklyn

Profession: Full-time Fashion Designer

Fashion Line:  Taylord

How did you get into fashion design?

AT: I was a pre-med major at Marymount College in Boston and I went there on a football scholarship. I had an opportunity to play for the [Arizona] Cardinals, but then I tore my ACL and then broke my foot. I still graduated with a B.S. in health sciences. But I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, and I started growing depressed. 

I wanted to do something respectable, and had always had a huge admiration for fashion. So I researched, researched, researched. Then finally, I purchased a sewing machine off of Craig’s list three years ago. I'd never taken a sewing class so, it was a lot of trying and starting again and trying... until I basically taught myself how to sew. Now, that’s all I’ve been doing full-time is sewing.

I design and sew all of my garments. I listed myself in Model Mayhem-- a directory for models, makeup artists, hair stylists and designers-- to try to get work. A casting director from Project Runway even contacted me about auditioning for the show, but I turned it down. I’m more of a recluse; I don’t like to be followed around; it’s just not me. So right now, I just design and sew for a private clientele, but I plan to hopefully show somewhere for the fall Fashion Week.

How would you describe your fashion sensibility?

AT: I appreciate tailoring in general, structure and form. My designs try to flatter silhouettes. I have a big admiration for art, architecture and structural design, and so that’s where a big part of my influence for fashion comes from.

Describe your fashion line.

AT: Taylord is contemporary read-to-wear clothing for women. It’s a luxury lifestyle brand for someone that appreciates quality, has a strong personality and basically knows what she wants. I work with leather, swedes, cashmere, silk, cotton wovens, Italian Ponte… many of my fabrics are imported from overseas.

What about Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn inspires you creatively?

AT: I moved to Bed-Stuy from Jamaica Queen only three months ago. But what I find most inspiring about Bed-Stuy is how progressive and cultivated the talent and the community is. It’s very rich culturally. I also like the attention it’s getting now, especially when you consider where it was and where it’s headed.

• To view Tayord’s full collection, go here.
• Follow Taylord on Instagram

To watch a live streaming of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Spring Fashion Week, go here.