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Don’t make us choose a favorite womenswear designer among those we carry here at Garmany. We just can’t do it. But if we absolutely had to, Jonathan Simkhai would be somewhere at the top of the list. The 36-year-old designer launched his eponymous line from New York in 2010, becoming known for clothes that were modern and versatile, feminine and romantic, bold and tailored ever so perfectly. So it’s not surprising that Jonathan Simkhai is a customer favorite here at Garmany. And the designer behind the successful brand is a pretty great guy too. (Just ask our store manager, Gina Dente.)

Recently, Simkhai indulged our curiosity on a few key points…

How would you describe the Jonathan Simkhai woman?
She is a modern woman. She’s well versed in fashion, knows what she likes and is in tune with herself. She’s fun, likes to go out and prides herself in dressing like the woman she wants to be. What do you think makes your brand unique? I aim to offer the Simkhai woman a cutting-edge perspective, and hope I can make her feel a connection to fashion and culture.

What would you consider your signature piece?
The Alex dress has quickly become a brand signature. She is true to our core aesthetic, which is all about juxtapositions, such as hard vs. soft, masculine vs. feminine. Alex offers that perfect meeting of a sexy and delicate silhouette with a tailored edge.

How would you describe the Standard collection, and what’s your favorite piece in it?
The Standard collection offers our low-impact essentials. These wardrobe-building items are sustainably produced with longevity in mind. I’m loving the Cailan dress at the moment. The cutouts are sexy yet timeless, and the fabric is buttery soft.

What about the spring/summer 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection? What’s your favorite item?
I love the sense of ease this collection offers. The silhouettes are beautiful and impactful, but still easy to wear. The Leoni dress is one of my favorites. She is perfect for spring events as the weather warms up and is a showstopper, but still very comfortable.

What inspires you?
My clients. Spending time in the stores and seeing how they react to the clothes, how they feel when they try things on—that really sticks with me and is something I always cite when designing.

Where can we find you when you’re not working?
Hiking, spending time with my kids or trying new recipes in the kitchen.

Do you still get excited when you see women wearing your designs?
Absolutely. Having a direct link to my customers has always been my favorite part of this business. So much goes into the research, design, production and sales process, and actually seeing the garments in the real world is the most exciting part.

What can we expect from JS in 2022 and beyond?
There is so much to look forward to! The brand is growing rapidly, and I’m very excited about our team expansion, new categories and unique collaborations in the works