16 YEARS OF PRECISION

Before there was a brand, there was a discipline. My career began in the HQ of Kappa USA, where I learned the meticulous language of fashion merchandising alongside technical design. That foundation led me towards roles that would redefine collections for some of the industry’s best—Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, Jeff Wan, and Rebecca Minkoff. I learned the mechanics of a perfect handbag. I knew how to navigate an 80-hour work week. But by the time I was 26, I realized that while I was building iconic collections for others, two important things were missing: the ability to listen to my own creative instinct and collaboration with a community.

MORE THAN A TO-DO LIST

To gain a more rounded connection to the fashion industry, I spent my weekends freelancing with independent labels and nights shutting down fabric stores in the Garment District. I travelled to Europe for trade shows and factory visits and worked behind the scenes at NYFW, yet I felt like a spectator in my own industry. I was determined to make something of my own that held a candle to the iconic collections and experiences I was helping built first-hand. 

WHERE WAS THE "DUALITY"?

I had 20 sketchbooks filled with too many ideas and a studio apartment overflowing with fabric I prematurely bought. But in the middle of this creative fever dream, I saw a void. The "athleisure" world was growing, but it felt sterile—functional, sure, but missing personality. I became obsessed with creating the ultimate hybrid-layer: a garment that wasn't limited to the outdated rules of gender, body shape, season, or trend. Essentially, an investment piece that could transition from a morning coffee run to a late-night studio session to back home on the couch.

As I developed the silhouette for what would become our signature Bomber Pullover Quarter-zip, I realized it shouldn't just transition, but also transform. That’s when the concept for Smile Stringz came to me. Because I didn't just want to make clothing; I wanted to create an accessory that would make noise, allowing people to personalize their look effortlessly and showcase all their different personalities.

ONE VISION, TWO HEARTS

In August 2020, I soft-launched BRANDO and Smile Stringz at the Jersey Shore to close family and friends and neighbors as they walked up the street to the beach. A single pullover offered in a single color. And a colorful assortment of interchangeable accessories. Something for everyone: an impossible goal I had set for myself that ended up being a total success. Finally, I was able to share the two inseparable sides of how I see the world.

• BRANDO: the technical side—focused on versatile, original silhouettes and the "Look Both Ways" duality. It’s for the person who demands high-recovery design that shifts through every season and life-move.
• Smile Stringz: the collaborative side—a collection of handmade, interchangeable accessories born from a real community of artisans. It’s the accessible maximalism, designed to let anyone make a fashion statement in seconds.

SIX YEARS, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD

For the last six years, BRANDO's community of customers, collaborators and producers have become family. Our partnership is the living embodiment of our core pillar: Collaborative Design. Everything we produce is Made in New York, not just as a label, but as a commitment to the Garment District and the artisans who keep it alive. Together, we don't just make clothes and accessories; we continue to create a world for boundless and empowered self-expression.

A PERSONAL NOTE

For over 6 years now, I eat, sleep, and continue to dream up fashionably versatile collections and stories in my East Village apartment. I host pop-ups at neighborhood cornerstones so I can interact face-to-face with my growing clientele and get real-life feedback on what stands out to them. I am inspired by the diversity of people (and their styles) walking down the street, I rely heavily on my circle of trusted advisors and mentors to validate my craziest ideas and designs, and ultimately, I strive to tell a unique and authentic story with every campaign. A feat I couldn't achieve without the support of my small team who truly enrich the meaning of the message.