GABRIELLE REILLY: Not all our readers are size 2 obviously and I know you carry size 0 to 14. Could you give our readers some tips you use to help them dress more seamlessly?
SAM KORI GEORGE: I make my sample sizes in a size 8. I understand that the everyday woman isn't a size 2 and I want her to feel comfortable when she enters my studio. I recommend that women dress for their age and add their own sense of style. When they do that, they feel confident and beautiful, which is the best fashion of all. I think you do get to a certain point where you know yourself. When you put a garment on and you feel confident then you made the right choice. You always want to look elegant and confident. Certain trends should be done and some shouldn't and you need to know which ones can work for you.
GABRIELLE REILLY: What would be your five most recommended well-thought-out pieces for a woman to choose at the moment?
SAM KORI GEORGE:
1. Black jacket - fitted, length that is flattering on the women. Proportional to you is important. A good black jacket can be dressed up with the right jewelry.
2. Trench- very simple with simple features. It's the first thing people see so if it's well-made with a clean-lines then it looks right. It travels well too.
3. Black pant - should be the waist height that people like. We are moving on from low waist pant - it should be flat front because it can be worn well with a jacket.
4. Black sweater in cashmere - choose your neckline - v-neck, crewneck, etc.
5. Skirt - I like a pencil skirt because it's flattering. Usually right below the knee unless you have great legs.
If the black recommendations seem '90s or retro, that's because these are the staples, travel well, low maintenance, high profile, etc.
GABRIELLE REILLY: What is this waistline height for the coming seasons?
SAM KORI GEORGE: Natural waist.
GABRIELLE REILLY: What do we have to look forward to in your Fall/Winter collection?
SAM KORI GEORGE: A great collection of course! It includes a cashmere pea coat that most everybody will like. Also it includes a skinny, natural pant that will look good inside boots or with flats. A new longer jacket and a double pleated pant that is at the natural waist. Very Katharine Hepburn. Some very intense color and of course, amazing gowns.
GABRIELLE REILLY: Many of my readers would be surprised to know you were born in Baghdad. When many people think of Iraq they think head dresses not high fashion but it is actually very surprising how progressive (particularly among the Kurds) Iraq really is. Are you Kurdish? Can you educate us a little on this?
SAM KORI GEORGE: "No I am not Kurdish. I am Assyrian. Many people would find it surprising but their sensibility is very European and they have a high regard for fashion. At school, I was called "Sammy Swani" and they asked what I wore to school and how I got there before I came to the United States. Of course, it wasn't on a camel or a magic carpet ride as people asked. Also, some women wore head dresses but underneath when they took it off, they would see they were wearing high fashion, like Chanel.
GABRIELLE REILLY: Can you tell us a little about the intrinsic influences of Sam's childhood that impacted his impeccable design sensibility today?
SAM KORI GEORGE'S PUBLICIST : Sam has learned a minimal, clean sensibility and a precise, analytic approach from his father; and from his mother an appreciation of the simple beauty found in everything.
Sam feels he is living in parallel to his parents. They believed elegance wasn't just looking nice for an event but it was a way to live his life. He looks to that as well. They were fashion-focused and clearly he is too. How things are highlighted and reflected in fashion makes a difference. His mother was very fashionable in the late 60s and on but it's a different time now. He believes how you carry yourself is important and people respect that.
