Carly Cushnie

That FACE! If those defined cheekbones, kick ass hair, and sultry glare doesn’t scream bad ass, then we don’t know what does. Carly Cushnie, co-founder and designer of NYC-based label Cushnie et Ochs (along with her business partner, Michelle Ochs) lives in a sick pad in SoHo, NY and her closet is defined by one predominant shade: black, black and more black (with a few hints of lemonade yellow, leopard print, and pastel pink Missoni). Originally from London, Cushnie attended Parsons School of Design in both Paris and New York where she received her BA in Fashion Design. She interned at places like Donna Karan, Proenza Schouler and Oscar de la Renta, and throughout her tenure, she developed a strong sense of both movement and drape. Seems pretty fitting, non? While they both were attending Parsons, CC and MO synched up, joined creative forces, and launched their line. Plus, upon graduation, their senior collections were featured in a cover story for WWD. Not bad for two newly-graduated students, right? Carly’s killer rocker chic style (think form fitting leather leggings, vintage tees and some seriously modern black dresses) even transcends to her interior DIY choices – she took the remaining fabric from a past collection and made them into pillows. From her Alejandro Ingelmo kicks to her retro Rolex, Cushnie is prepared to go the extra mile (literally) for fashion…and it all started when she was 18. Case in point: her CHANEL beauties. “I bought them when I was 18 in London to go with a dress I was wearing to a Polo match” she says. “I had unfortunately been hit by a car a few weeks before and couldn’t wear heels or walk properly, but there was no way I wasn’t wearing these shoes!” Amen sister. And her (uh?) creativity comes with gift giving too; For Ochs’s birthday present, Cushnie bought her a necklace that says—and for Coveteur PG reasons can only be defined as—“C U Next Tuesday.” We’ll let you figure it out.