Recession-Proof Style: Cody Ross of Priestess NYC

For those of you who know me, I'm not exactly the "glass half empty" type. But at a time when oil prices are skyrocketing, a penny costs more to make than it's actually worth, and the country is on a fast train to Recessionville, I begin to lose faith in capitalism.

So, when I meet somebody amazing enough to take the leap from number crunching to pattern cutting, the scruff on the back of my neck stands straight up. Starting a fashion line when the country is on the down and down is risky enough. But try doing it when your resume is plastered with names only Wall Street alum can appreciate, and you've really got the cards stacked against you. That is, unless you're Cody Ross, a man with enough confidence and creative genius to tip the Titanic back onto it's belly. Sit back and relax while I ask Cody a few questions about his past, present, and fashionable future.

You have a great story -- financial analyst turned designer. Was fashion always a passion, or was it something you stumbled on while crunching numbers?

I've been passionate about fashion since I can remember! When I was a kid, my mom's closet was swelling with fun clothes. In particular, she had Braniff stewardess uniforms that were designed by Emilio Pucci and those wild patterns and colorful prints definitely captivated me. Anything with bold, florescent prints and outlandish geometrics gets my attention and my mom had tons of that. As for crunching numbers, I'm always looking for hidden themes in the data and I try to discern one or two emerging motifs or trends that I can use to my advantage. So, to me, finance and fashion overlap in a way -- at least analytically! But fashion has always been a central interest of mine. I'm really into the creative process and analyzing trends in the culture.

Your Fall '08 collection has a mish mosh of creative elements that all work well together. What was your inspiration?

I like to think of it as a contemporary take on the spirit of vintage-punk combined with futurist influences. It's really about about the elegant street mix and nuanced styling that flowed from Judy and Jane Jetson dresses, lots of late-80's Vivienne Westwood references, and bombastic Futurist themes. Hence, lots of metallic finishes and sheen representing speed and dynamism. And I will definitely carry over some of those themes in forthcoming collections.

I read that the name Priestess connotes "strength, fun, and an impenetrable spirit" but I just want to be worshipped. Which pieces from your fall collection would you recommend for me?

Yes, Priestess NYC is about an unbreakable spirit and individualism with lots of fast-fashion fun. I would definitely recommend the alternative crop-jacket and the jumpsuits because they are incredibly versatile, provocative and exciting! The Judy dresses are rad too!

You are all over the place -- style.com, nylon magazine, cnbc.com. How do you still find time for the little people like me?

LOL -- Hey, no self-debasement, please! The SUM of the 'little people' = the whole of the 'blogosphere.' The blogging community is definitely a growing influence and a disruptive force to traditional fashion mags. I love your blog, Trend de la Creme, and others like it because, believe it or not, you are transforming media and humbling the 'big guns'!

I just left corporate America. Should I roll my 401K over to traditional IRA or a Roth IRA?

HA HA! Disclaimer! I would roll the bulk of it into cash+cash-eqivs. Buy some gold or gold ETFs. And save save save for the future. If you really have an appetite for risk, there are a few Chinese companies that look super-compelling and 2xLevered 'frontier market' ETFs that are sexy. Just beeeeee careful!!

Is it true you prefer to stay out of the limelight?

That is my aim! I just enjoy the creative process and making the coolest clothes for the coolest girls! But since the label is only in it's 3rd season, I'd like to raise visibility as much as possible without being self-absorbed or pretentious!! HA HA HA! [Trend de la Creme note: Cody is the cutie with the short spikey blonde hair.]

Any fashion tips for Hillary Clinton?

LOL -- first, she needs to relax and re-charge! She's obviously feeling fatigued. I recommend soft-cottons and jerseys that are more chill. And as soon as she's rested, she definitely needs to get a few of those Greta Cavazzoni bags and clutches (www.gretacavazzoni.com) to carry around. Then she'll look super-hot/elegant/chic!

Sorry, I just need to know -- boxers or briefs?

Ha! Boxers, and sometimes briefs ;)

Check out more of Cody's uber-stylish creations at priestessnyc.com.