Generra Hits Fashion Week - Exclusive Interview

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Feb 15th 2010 at 9:04PM

Remember Generra?

Generra, the brand which brought us the Hypercolor t-shirt back in the 80s and the Second Skin tees in 2004 is back on the scene with a full fledged New York Fashion Week showing. We sat down with the latest designers, husband-and-wife Swaim and Christina Hutson (pictured), who recently charmed the world with Obedient Sons & Daughters, backstage on Saturday, just before their Snow White themed presentation burst onto the runway.

Luxist: So, we hear the show was inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves -- are we talking Disney or the Grimm Brothers?

Swaim Hutson: Whoa.

Christina Hutson: The Disney version.

L: What inspired you about it?

CH: We were figuring the direction of the brand and the formula for this ... somewhat of a relaunch, and we first discussed that we wanted to do color and be known for color. So, Snow White came about because of the color. For Fall, we went with Snow White ... more for the Seven Dwarves in the background; the color, the optimism and the sweet, happy spirit of it.

L: What are your materials like?

CH: Well, for girls it's a balance of silks, lighter weights, chiffons and heavier silks in small proportions, with chunky mohairs and angoras to balance it with a tomboy aspect. For guys, yeah --

SH: It's like, chunky, chunky sweaters, cotton twills, washed cotton, puffer jackets --

CH: Touches of shearling, touches of fur --

SH: Yeah.

CH: Overall, it's all more on the lighter side, more wearable fabrics for when fall's actually ...

SH: When fall's actually fall.

CH: Yeah.

SH: We deliver in July; this collection will be hitting stores in July, so --

CH: So, lovely, light fall fabrics that we all love, but we also went with a "wear now" sort of thing.

SH: You can layer if it for some reason snows in July.

L: Individually, which of the Seven Dwarves do you most identify with?

SH: I was not prepared for this.

CH: I don't know if I'd get Grumpy or Shy ...

L: I don't think there is a Shy.

CH: Oh no, Bashful.

SH: Bashful. We don't even know them all.

CH: I know Grumpy.

L: What about you, Swaim?

SH: I think Sleepy.

CH: Yeah, Sleepy.

L: What celebrity would you most like to dress?

CH: Can we skip that one? We don't want to ...

SH: Sleepy.

L: That's fine, you don't have to pick. But tell us what your next collection's going to be like. Are you going to stick with the Disney theme?

CH: No, the most important message to stick with I think is about color, about casual --

SH: Youthful --

CH: Yeah, and youthful. So, it will always be something new, but that same optimistic, happy feeling.

SH: We're not going dark and moody next.

So, did the next Second Skin or Hypercolor come down the runway on a chisel-faced, handsome, 6'4" Dwarf? You be the judge -- check out this gallery with key looks and some exclusive backstage shots:

Gallery: Generra - New York Fashion Week, February 2010