Stacy Garcia – whom we briefly introduced in our December feature on the Allison Eden Pop Art Collection fabric story – is a design powerhouse.
The Nanuet-based entrepreneur heads up two distinct businesses — LebaTex Inc., a respected player in the commercial/hospitality textile field; and Stacy Garcia Inc., a licensing firm and design house.
Garcia holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in surface pattern design from Syracuse University and studied textile design at Central Saint Martins in London. With numerous industry honors and works published in countless interior titles, Garcia has just been tapped as a High Point Market Authority Style Spotter, another highly visible sign of her industry status. Garcia took time from her whirlwind schedule to answer a few questions for WAG, helping create a more in-depth picture of this leading Hudson Valley designing woman.
WAG first worked with you last year when we featured the Allison Eden Pop Art Collection that paired LebaTex with the glass mosaic artist in an effort that marked your first artist collaboration. How is that collection going and is it leading to more collaborative work?
“The Allison Eden Pop Art collection has been so fun for everyone involved, and we have received such a fantastic response from everyone who has seen it. The great thing about a collaboration between creative minds is the possibilities are really endless. We each have connections in different markets and different corners of the world, so it has opened a number of unexpected avenues. What started as a fabric collection for the hospitality market has branched into the residential market and even offering a collection of finished pillows.
“This collaboration with Allison has opened a number of potential collaborations with other artists and designers, too. Stay tuned, we’ll let WAG break the story when we sign our next deal.
“Most recently, we launched Art Universe, a drapery line in collaboration with Stacy Garcia | New York, my luxury residential brand.”
How did you come to be a part of the design community? What were your early influences and what were your original goals?
“My professional foundation started with my first job of selecting color palettes and assisting in design and showroom development for Ralph Lauren’s Home Collection. This experience is where I gained confidence in my color choices and, even today, color and pattern are the core of what I do. From there, I was hired as a senior designer for Richloom Contract Fabrics where I directed the textile and pattern design for their hospitality division. One of my favorite parts of that job was presenting new collections to interior designers.
“I was always inspired by the way they utilized the textiles. And that’s when I decided I really wanted to be a bigger influence on this creative community.”
In the years since you entered the world of design, what are some of the key changes you have seen — in both the consumer and the industry?
“The biggest change I’ve seen in both the consumer and design industries has been social media. With social media, great design is now accessible to everyone. Due to this, my team and I continue to raise the bar to differentiate our brand from others. Whether it is at a trade show, for retail or on Instagram, the goal has always been to have our product stand out in a sea of other product.
“Another key change has been the demand of sustainability in product design. Consumers are savvy. They have so much information available at their fingertips and they are willing to do the research into what goes in the products they use. With this, sustainable products are a must. One of the ways we have met this demand (is) by launching our line of eco-luxury throw blankets in collaboration with In2Green. Knit with yarns made from recycled water bottles and T-shirts, these blankets are 100 percent eco-friendly.”
You are known as a leading forecaster of both color and design trends. Is that an innate talent or a skill that you cultivate?
“For me it’s a little of both, but it is a skill you can hone with practice. Trend forecasting comes instinctively to me, because it’s been my focus for many years. To forecast trends, you need to look at early influencers such as art, fashion, media and entertainment. For example, when we watch the red carpet at an award show we see color trends start to happen. In the next day or two, we see that color appearing in ready-to-wear fashion and eventually the colors will trickle into home interiors.”
What are some of the things that inspire you? Does everything you experience have an effect on your work?
“Everything inspires me, especially my travel experiences. My brand Stacy Garcia | New York brings an eclectic, well-traveled, high art appeal to my products and my travel adventures fuel this aesthetic. Experiencing cultures and observing design perspectives from all around the world opens my mind up to an abundance of design inspiration. My most recent travel inspirations came from the bold colors and rich flavors of Morocco.”
What has been your most rewarding project or time in your professional life?
“One of the most rewarding things about being a design entrepreneur has been watching the Stacy Garcia brand grow. I began my company 14 years ago with Stacy Garcia Commercial, but it’s become so much more than just one company. After the success of my commercial brand, I launched Stacy Garcia | New York, my luxury residential brand, in 2015. Most recently I introduced direct to consumer products with my retail brand, Stay by Stacy Garcia. It’s been such a humbling experience to watch my brand evolve and ultimately become an all-encompassing lifestyle brand.
“One of the most rewarding projects that I’ve worked on was designing a table for DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). I found that the design industry has some of the most giving and generous people I have ever met. It is a blessing to be able use my talent to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”
And finally, tell us a bit your blog, Life-Styled.net, which appeals to both designers and design-minded people, while giving a real glimpse into you and your perspective. How did it come about, how has it evolved — and what are your goals for it?
“Life-Styled by Stacy Garcia actually began as our company newsletter, but in recent years, it has taken on a life of its own. As the owner of a lifestyle brand, we get insider access to trade shows, new product launches, hotel openings and other industry happenings. As an outlet to share this inspiring information with the design community, Life-Styled by Stacy Garcia was born.
“Now (that it’s) a blog and quarterly design e-zine, my goal is to build a community of contributors and readers by creating an accessible and informative source for designers and design-minded people to be inspired. Life-Styled by Stacy Garcia covers information on trends, interiors, travel, notable designers and more.”
View the Art Universe collection at StacyGarciaNewYork.com. To check out Garcia’s digital publications, visit Life-Styled.net.
