Designers
JULIA SLOAN
Julia Sloan divides her time between Paris, Mexico City, and the U.S., drawing inspiration from her dynamic lifestyle to create Sloan—a brand dedicated to crafting designs that seamlessly fit the diverse lives of modern women.
A Parsons School of Design graduate, Julia began her career in human-centered design, focusing on solutions to simplify and enhance daily life. However, in 2015, her passion for fashion led her to relocate to rural Mexico, where she began collaborating with local women artisans. This decade-long partnership is rooted in community, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Sloan was founded with a vision to support women in every aspect of their lives, including building an "at-home" production network that empowers female artisans in Mexico to earn a flexible, sustainable income.
Julia’s mission is to democratize style, demystify taste, and equip women with the transformative power of clothing. Her designs blend sophistication with practical utility, offering expertly tailored garments crafted from durable, high-quality fabrics to make women’s lives easier.
In this interview, Julia reflects on her journey from New York to rural Mexico, her experiences building a fashion brand rooted in artisanal craftsmanship, and the lasting inspiration she draws from the women who shape her work and vision.
MAUD ZUMERLE
Maud Zumerle’s atelier in the 19th arrondissement of Paris feels like a hidden gem. Tucked away near the Buttes Chaumont Park, the space is filled with light and creativity, much like Maud herself.
At her core, Maud is a ceramicist, and her jewelry is a natural extension of her passion for working with her hands. She takes pride in manual craftsmanship, designing, sculpting, and creating every piece by hand in her Paris atelier. Each of her sculptural, wearable pieces is more than an accessory—they are works of art. Drawing from her upbringing in the South of France, Maud blends personal memories with a refined, contemporary aesthetic.
In this interview, Maud shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming an independent designer at age 30. She reflects on how jewelry making gave her a renewed sense of confidence and purpose, and opens up about the challenges of creating her own path in a world that often undervalues craftsmanship. Maud’s story is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to pursue your passions—and that there are still those who value meaningful, handcrafted work.
ZOE LEE
Zoe Lee is one of those rare people you meet who exudes an undeniable, effortless cool. Her long, untamed black hair falls in every direction, giving her a look that feels both natural and intentional. She keeps her style simple yet distinct, often favoring loose, comfortable clothing over more tight and fitted options. Today, she’s wearing a pair of navy blue corduroy trousers designed by a friend, a vintage waistcoat, and cowboy boots she designed.
Her slight British accent and ambiguous features add to her air of intrigue. It’s hard to place exactly where she’s from, but that only heightens the curiosity about her background and story.
Born in Toronto to a Japanese mother and a Canadian father, Zoe Lee grew up between Hong Kong and London. With a textile artist for a mother, it’s no surprise that fashion and design became her natural path.
A graduate of Central St Martins and The Royal College of Art, Zoe was mentored by Manolo Blahnik and began her career in 2003 at Vivienne Westwood. She worked and consulted for various brands including Alexander McQueen, Besty Jackson and Erdem before starting her own label. In 2011, Zoe took the leap and founded her eponymous label in London before relocating to Paris in 2013. Today, her chic, flagship boutique is nestled in the heart of Le Marais, just steps from the Picasso Museum and one of Paris’ most beloved parks: Place des Vosges.
Zoe’s design philosophy presents footwear in fresh contexts through the lens of innovative materials and craftsmanship. By carefully selecting high quality leathers from French and Italian tanneries, she creates pieces that are unique and timeless, reflecting her deep understanding of true luxury. Each shoe is handmade in a third-generation, family-owned factory near Milan, where production is deliberately limited to 25 pairs per style, ensuring exclusivity and exceptional quality.
Rather than chasing mass production or wholesale distribution, Lee is devoted to creating beautiful, highly detailed footwear that meets her uncompromising design standards—an approach that stands out in today’s fast-paced fashion industry.
In this interview, Zoe discusses her design process, her hands-on approach to material sourcing, the importance and responsibility of sustainability when designing, and the creative restrictions she often faces as a designer. She also offers valuable advice for independent designers navigating an industry that often prioritizes commercial appeal over artistic integrity.