Mysti PHI ng
Interviewed by Asanti Austin

What are accessories? What do accessories do for the consumer? What is overtly untasteful, what is subtle and gently elegant? What do your shoes say about you? Are you projecting confidence with that leather clutch? In an interview, we posed versions of these questions to PHI accessories designer Ingrid Solomonson and creative director/designer Andreas Melbostad.

PHI (FI) launched in spring 2004 with a colorful and tasteful collection during New York Fashion week. With immaculate attention to detail, seamless production from Italy, the line immediately captured the attention of fashion insiders and the like. In this era of emblazoned logos, and knockoffs of sorts, PHI's appeal is in the product itself, giving us an alternative, a sense of identity created by the "design, craft and execution" alone.

No blazing logos, no catchy gimmicks, just design and beauty. This is very much like PHI's boutique in the heart of SOHO NY. There are no huge signs displaying the brand, no flashing lights, just product in the window, tempting the passersby (if they are unfamiliar with brand) with very modern designs and an assortment of colors mixed with the signature black and white. PHI was once recognized more for its brilliantly crafted jackets and coats, but is now being recognized for its entire brand offering.

Fashion Ledge: What is PHI?

PHI: The concept of Phi is in many ways infinite. In mathematical terms, “Phi” is quite a mysterious number, but it has a knack of being there in many natural things that we find most beautiful, even the human body. In Phi, there is also a sense of playing with rhythm and proportion and that is what we do in our work in terms of design: we consider and re-consider proportion, pattern, color and line. With PHI, as far as the designing goes they have created an intimate and small structure, which allows a "close collaboration between the woven collection and the accessories.

This process allows the clothes and accessories to remain exciting and interesting each season." PHI's accessories offering this season mixes bold patent leather, suede and gold/ metallic finishing on most of the products. The idea behind the patent leather is to add some "futuristic touches." This season is about the consumer wearing the PHI product "with confidence in their own personalized way." With a complete accessories collection ranging from belts, to handbags, and shoes, the fashion quadrant is expanded to tap into every consumer’s desires.

The PHI accessories collection offers intricately designed shoes, ranging from stilettos to knee high boots. In the past few seasons, one will absolutely notice that women have been pushed to the max to explore new heights in footwear (literally). The heels for women on shoes are now exceeding 4 or 5 inches.

With this expansion in platform height, one can only imagine there has to be a certain level of discomfort for the consumer. PHI offers "these image pieces," but also "other styles that will fill the various needs of clients’ lives." PHI is "excited to be able to increasingly address women's” various needs with their range of products.

For more information on PHI:

PHI Collection
Ashley Futterknecht - Communications Coordinator
Phone: 212.645.8686
76 9th Ave
16th Flr
NY, NY 10011

Store Location:
71 Greene St
NY, NY 10012
store@phicollection.com