Neena Zeve: Fashion with Purpose
Neena Zeve Designs is a testament to the fashion industry’s power of creativity, sustainability, and perseverance. Founded by a visionary designer passionate about crafting timeless, handmade garments, the brand has carved out a niche by blending traditional couture techniques with a modern commitment to ethical practices. From its humble beginnings at outdoor markets and art festivals to its presence in prestigious retail spaces like Project Gaia and The Canvas at the Oculus, Neena Zeve Designs has consistently pushed the boundaries of slow fashion.
At the heart of the brand lies a dedication to sustainability, with innovative strategies like repurposing upholstery remnants and creating reversible, versatile pieces that stand the test of time. Each garment tells a story—not just of its craftsmanship, but of its journey from concept to creation. With a signature style that emphasizes beauty, utility, and individuality, Neena Zeve Designs has become a go-to for women seeking unique, enduring fashion.
Here at The Garnette Report, we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and future aspirations of Neena Zeve Designs, exploring how the brand continues to redefine what it means to create fashion that is both meaningful and sustainable.
Zoey: What inspired you to start your brand and how would you describe the core vision?
Neena Zeve: I started Neena Zeve Zeve Designs after a conversation with a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I was taking Continuing Education classes in tailoring and embellishment. One evening, I wore a knitted cape with intricate designs to class, and the professor suggested I recreate it in fabric and sell it. Inspired, I designed a four-panel pattern, used black and white brocade and silk charmeuse, and created a reversible cape with welt pockets and unique buttoning details. This became my first product.
With help from a former student, I developed a logo and marketing materials, and I designed my website using my tech background.
Launched in 2012 and based in Brooklyn, Neena Zeve Designs creates one-of-a-kind outerwear, knitted accessories, and ribbon flower brooches. My pieces feature traditional couture techniques like beading, smocking, and fabric manipulation, using materials such as silk, cotton, wool, and even upholstery fabric remnants. The brand focuses on distinctive, elegant fashion for women seeking unique garments.
Zoey: Can you share the story of how you got started in the fashion/design industry? What was your first big break?
Neena Zeve: I grew up in a family of dressmakers and was always around family members who discussed the quality of fabrics and styles. My uncles had a factory in Montreal, Canada where they manufactured knit dresses for the domestic market and also exported their wares. My mother, who was always making clothing for the family, took me along to fabric shops to look at patterns and learn about the different kinds of fabric. She later became part of a salon in Manhattan run by Margaret Nydes who taught couture techniques such as draping and other couture sewing techniques and encouraged her students to create beautiful things.
Zoey: Can you share the story of how you got started in the fashion/design industry? What was your first big break?
Neena Zeve: I grew up in a family of dressmakers, surrounded by discussions about fabric quality and styles. My uncles owned a factory in Montreal, Canada, where they produced knit dresses for both domestic and international markets. My mother, who often made clothing for the family, took me to fabric shops to explore patterns and learn about different materials. She later joined a Manhattan salon run by Margaret Nydes, where she studied couture techniques like draping and was encouraged to create beautiful garments.
Though I made clothing for myself, Halloween costumes for my kids, and party dresses for my daughter, I chose not to join the family business. Instead, I pursued a Doctorate in Applied Linguistics, conducting pioneering research on how college students develop as writers. After graduating, I left academia and entered the technology industry, where I witnessed and contributed to the early days of the Internet. As an accomplished writer, I became the writer-in-residence at various jobs, primarily crafting technical documents and newsletters that explained complex new concepts.
Zoey: How do you approach the creative process when designing a new collection? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Neena Zeve: Though my career in academia and the corporate world may seem unrelated to Neena Zeve Designs, the experiences I gained in these fields deeply influenced my creative process in fashion. Much like the technology industry, where innovation often builds on traditional ideas, my design process begins with a standard outerwear piece, such as a cape, and evolves through experimentation with embellishments, draping, and fabric manipulation to create something unique.
Creating a fashion piece involves several steps. After cutting and assembling the fabric with basic seams, I drape the garment on a mannequin and experiment with embellishments like beading and smocking. I often draw inspiration from smocking patterns available online, exploring how these details enhance the overall design. While I use the same patterns and construction techniques for many garments, each piece is distinct in its conception and development. I seek out fabrics that inspire me—beautiful, striking prints with colors and structures that support my embellishments and bring the design to life.
My collections are inspired by three main sources. First, the vibrant color palettes and intricate patterns of the Middle East, where I lived for many years, influence my work. Blues, greens, and oranges dominate my designs, alongside patterns reminiscent of architectural elements like cupolas. Second, I draw from traditional embellishment techniques such as beading, smocking, and pleating. Finally, I am inspired by the architectural designs of Charles James, an early 20th-century American designer known for his structured garments and meticulous attention to detail. His 1920s cocoon coats and emphasis on craftsmanship are reflected in many of Neena Zeve’s outerwear pieces, which evoke the elegance of that era.
Zoey: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when launching your brand and how did you overcome them?
Zoey: How would you define your brand’s signature style and how has it evolved over the years?
Neena Zeve: My signature style focuses on creating beautiful, handcrafted outerwear and accessories that blend traditional couture techniques with distinctive designs for women. Each piece stands out for its vibrant, elegant fabrics and meticulous attention to detail, particularly through embellishments. At the heart of my brand is the concept of “dolce and utile”—a phrase coined by the Roman poet Horace, meaning to create things that are both pleasing and useful. This philosophy is deeply woven into every design I create
Zoey: What advice would you give someone who is just starting in the fashion/design industry?
Neena Zeve: In a fast-paced and complex world, fashion remains a vital industry, with people of all ages and backgrounds looking to it for new trends and inspiration. However, the industry is constantly shifting, often embracing one idea only to replace it with another just months later, making it challenging to stay ahead and create marketable designs. My advice is to follow industry leaders, observe what they’re promoting, and understand what’s selling. At the same time, I recommend focusing on creating something distinctive for a specific market segment rather than trying to address the entire industry.
Zoey: What are your future goals for your brand? Any new projects or directions you are particularly excited about?
Neena Zeve: My goals for the future are to continue to develop the ideas I started out with and make beautiful, useful things that women will want to wear and keep in their collection of go-to pieces. I have also explored and am starting to make other styles of outerwear that will still have my signature use of traditional embellishment techniques.
Zoey: How do you ensure that your designs resonate with your audience on a personal level and what role does storytelling play in your work?
Neena Zevee: While I sell my designs online, I’ve found that they resonate more with clients when experienced in person. My pieces are distinctive and deeply personal, often requiring the right fit, color, and style to align with someone’s lifestyle and physical attributes. For instance, a particular color or pattern might not suit everyone, especially for petite individuals. This makes trying on the garments essential for the best experience.
Storytelling also plays a key role in connecting with my audience. I share the origins of my fabrics, the techniques I use, and how I discovered certain processes—whether online or elsewhere. People enjoy hearing about the sourcing of materials and my journey as a solo entrepreneur. I also encourage others to explore their passions, often sharing my unconventional path into the fashion industry as inspiration.
Neena Zeve Designs is more than a fashion brand; it’s a celebration of artistry, sustainability, and individuality. Through slow fashion, ethical practices, and timeless design, the brand has carved out a unique space in the industry, redefining what it means to create clothing with purpose. From overcoming challenges like finding the right audience to embracing innovative sustainability strategies, Neena Zeve Designs proves that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.
Looking ahead, the brand remains committed to its core values: crafting garments that resonate personally, telling stories through design, and inspiring women to embrace their individuality. With new projects on the horizon and a focus on quality and creativity, Neena Zeve Designs continues to lead the way in a thoughtful, sustainable fashion.
For anyone embarking on their creative journey, the story of Neena Zeve Designs serves as a powerful reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a clear vision, it’s possible to turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.
if you would like to purchase Neena Zeve’s designs you can go to her website www.neenazeve.com or on her Instagram @neenazeve
Photos Credits:Neena Zeve