Project Runway Alumnus Daniel Vosovic Is Redefining What ‘Fast Fashion’ Means Today

The name Daniel Vosovic may sound familiar to some: the 35-year-old designer was a finalist on the second season of Project Runway. After the show, he didn’t disappear, rather, he launched his own namesake ready-to-wear label in 2009, and is now launching The Kit, a sustainable fast fashion line for the versatile, modern woman.

The Kit seeks to not only re-define fast fashion with ethical and high-quality manufacturing, but also antiquated ideas of seasonal, classic, and essential pieces. And while that may seem like a tall order, the concept is simple: Customers are offered one look that consists of two pieces—a dress and a top—that can be mixed and matched however they see fit. And these aren’t your mother’s “essentials,” as Vosovic believes women should have bold prints and colors in their wardrobes all year round. Additionally, new looks are produced every few weeks, meaning that Vosovic operates not only outside of seasons, but also any fashion week calendar.

“My creative vision and freedom is now unrestricted,” he said of his new venture. “I can design as many prints as I want, with no minimums. For the consumer, this means lots of variety, with newness coming every few weeks. And because I don’t have to design far in advance, I can react to what people want or what’s happening in the world around me.”

Unsurprisingly, Vosovic’s biggest pet peeve is seeing something on the runway and waiting five months to purchase it. Here, he elaborates on the do’s and don’ts of constructing a functional yet fashionable wardrobe in the modern age.

How has the idea of “essentials” evolved since you entered the industry? I’d love to toss out certain traditional fashion verbiage that seems antiquated and no longer applies to today’s consumer including “seasonal, classic, and essentials.” The great thing about shopping in today’s vast marketplace is that you have the individual opportunity to define what that means to you. I want to give women creative, designer-level pieces that are both interesting and comfortable, unique and versatile, and do so in an environmentally and socially-conscious, scalable way. Women already demand this but the industry hasn’t, as of yet, been able to match it.

Your own daily uniform: Black, navy and white in various combinations of fabrications and textures.

Things in your wardrobe that aren’t necessarily “essentials,” but that you would never give up: A pair of Balenciaga Spring 2009 black & white neoprene women’s pants. I’ve only worn them three times and absolutely covet the design and craftsmanship that was needed to create them.

How has your aesthetic changed over the years? My design aesthetic has evolved over the years but I’m still very much drawn to the dichotomy between femininity and tomboy chic that drew me to become a designer in the first place. Influenced by a pragmatic daily life, I aim to merge the everyday realities of practicality and ease with a bit of fantasy, style, and confidence… not just special occasion. Every day can be special.

Three things pinned to your most recent mood board: A selection of Agnes Martin paintings; a portrait of the dancer Diablo Premier; a photo test we shot last week of a studio floor smashed with florals and covered in broken glass.

Design rules you live by: Deceptively simple design. I try to stick to a 50’/5′ rule: Attract their attention from 50-feet away (silhouette, color, pattern), but keep them interested at 5 (texture, sense of the unexpected, fine detailing). Other than that, no rules.

Style icons: The lovechild of Frida Kahlo and Patti Smith.

Beauty routine: Cold water morning and night; Kiehl’s daily face moisturizer and monthly face masks from whatever my best friend brings back from Korea, ’cause you know it’s going to be amazing.

Best recent discovery: Putnam & Putnam flowers.

Last purchase: A haircut.

Lusting after: Supreme x Louis Vuitton.

What does the “future of designer fast fashion” look like to you? To me, it looks like The Kit. A brand that is agile, versatile and engages actively and in real-time with it’s audience. The world has changed and many industries have evolved to match it: how we eat, how we shop, how we travel. Though there have been attempts, I feel that the fashion industry has yet to figure out a path that is creatively and financially viable for designers to make incredible, high quality clothing with speed so they can match the of-the-moment needs of the consumer.

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