Cool Is A Construct is a freshly curated clothing line that represents an ideal way of life. Ethically handmade in New York, the brand has rejected fast fashion from the start. Chloe Neu, the 21-year-old creative behind the brand, reveals that she spends most of her days meticulously searching for vintage and deadstock fabric that she visualizes a Cool Is A Construct girl wearing in a garden dreamscape.
Most of the brand’s designs are inspired by the ’60s, spring florals, and Parisian style. Specifically, the one of a kind vintage pieces she’s found while thrifting in Paris. Chloe’s current collection for Cool Is A Construct interlaces French elegance with New York streetwear. Sneakers and statement leather pieces are essential when styling her brand’s apparel. Amid a stormy drive from the Hamptons, Chloe and I were able to talk in-depth about her creative process, her muse Jane Birkin, and Netflix movies that are hard to watch.
Q: What’s a thorough illustration of Cool Is A Construct’s aesthetic?
Chloe Neu: I’ve always been captivated with French style, and recently I’ve been really into Danish fashion, specifically Copenhagen. Inspiration for my designs has come from vintage shopping in Europe. Sometimes I’ll find specific parts of the piece I really love, like the sleeves and put my own twist on it. New York has a little more edginess to it like a dainty dress with leather boots or sneakers with a dress.
Q: Do you have anyone who inspires your designs?
CN: I’m obsessed with Jane Birkin. She wore a dress that I became infatuated with. I looked for the dress everywhere and couldn’t find anything like it. I decided that I would put my own variation on the dress and made my own version, which resulted in the Jane dress. I also take a lot of inspiration from the girls who follow CIAC, they’re so cool, and I want to be friends with them.
Q: What’s the ethical process behind producing your pieces?
CN: Everything I make is done with one seamstress in Great Neck Village in Long Island. She has a small team of people that produce all the samples and clothing. Finding deadstock and vintage fabric is an excellent way of staying ethical. However, the only downside is that when we’ve used it all, we can’t replicate those prints.
Q: What is your creative process when it comes to designing your apparel?
CN: When I find a vintage piece I like, I become inspired by the fabric and know exactly what I want. Mainly when I find a material that I really love, it correlates with inspiration. I can spend hours looking through Depop and Instagram accounts from France that sell vintage clothing. I take notes, make samples, and go from there. I usually spend my time at night designing, and I’m fortunate to have my seamstress be so close to me so we can get things done quicker. I’m always working on improving designs.
Q: How do you get out of a creative rut?
CN: I’ve really been into Euphoria, I love all of their makeup looks and style. On the other hand I also love watching bad Netflix shows or movies. Any Netflix teen show or movie that has bad writing but hard to look away from, I’ve been binge-watching. I also love scrolling on TikTok, I’m definitely on the Jacob Elordi side of the app.
Q: What’s the biggest thing that’s happened for CIAC so far?
CN: Weworewhat wore one of our pieces, which was exciting. So did Maddie Ziegler, and Madison Bailey. There’s a lot of exciting things coming up soon.
Q: Any final words on behalf of yourself and Cool Is A Construct so we don’t leave anything unsaid?
CN: Before CIAC, life was becoming turbulent, and this brand was the best thing to come of it. I’ve met so many of my friends and really cool people through doing all of this and at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In starting this fashion brand, I’ve come to understand it’s more logistical than it is about fashion. The experiences I’ve currently learned from could never have been taught to me in school. I’ve learned that a brand is tailoring to what people want and what does well, especially on social media. I’m so grateful for my team of creative friends, and the trial and errors we’ve gone through. The fashion calendar moves so quickly, there’s always something new that’s trending, which I love.
This interview has been edited and condensed
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