The Perfect Fit

About Town talks to CEO of By Smith, Smith Sinrod.

How does your fashion sense reflect your personality?

I like to think of myself as being pretty conservative, but I love to have fun, and I feel that my designs reflect just that…classic silhouettes paired with bright colors and prints.

What matters to you most as an up-and-coming fashion designer?

As an up-and-coming designer, I want each of my pieces to reflect me. I want people to see my clothes, and say or think, “that’s a By Smith piece.” Overall, I want to remain true to myself as a designer, and for that to reflect consistently through my clothes.

What seems to be common mistakes men and women make in choosing their wardrobe?

Over doing it! Wearing too many accessories or being too matchy or the opposite problem… not wearing enough of anything.

Your line is aimed at women, but what are your personal preferences in the way men dress?

I prefer the preppy look myself, but if a man can carry himself well in his clothes that’s attractive as well.

Where do see fashion heading in the next few years?

If you look through the history of fashion, it seems to be a circle. Looks tend to come back again and again from different eras, but every time the looks just keep getting better.

What irritates you the most about the fashion business today?

The economy. Isn’t that the new excuse for everything?

Is there a particular trend today that you’ve seen that you don’t understand at all?

I’ve seen some pretty crazy trends, but there’s a rhyme and a reason for any trend. I try not to be too harsh of a critic. What can I say? I’m a designer.

I’ve heard designers like extremely skinny models because they make the clothes look like they’re on a hanger. Is that true?

No! Actually, when I was in Miami for Fashion Week all of the really skinny models at the casting were turned away. I want realistic people wearing my things! There will always be really skinny models, but the trend is starting to focus on “real” women and body types.

Who are some of your favorite celebrities as far as their fashion sense?

Kate Hudson, Kate Bosworth, and Leighton Meester all have very cool and eclectic style, or their stylists do anyway.

What would you say is something every woman needs in her wardrobe?

A By Smith dress of course!

Smith Sinrod was born in Washington, DC, and graduated from the University of Alabama in 2009. Three months later she started her own clothing line, By Smith. Smith was picked as one of the top five designers for Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion and showed her Fall 2010 collection at Miami Fashion Week in March of this year. Her line is exclusively sold in Birmingham at Lulie’s on Cahaba. For more information she can be contacted on her website www.bysmithcollection.com.