WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Noah K. Studio
Noah Kantrowitz is revolutionizing corporate America with couture. Since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2020, he has been balancing an independent design studio with a corporate job in New York City. Earlier this year, he unveiled his debut collection, Late with Coffee, featuring 10 looks centered around knitwear. This collection transforms the office environment into a sci-fi jungle, pulsating with energy and agile movements. For Kantrowitz, camp is the cure for corporate boredom. The office serves as his muse, and he’s inviting us in.
Hi Noah, how are you? Are you in New York City right now?
Hi Jasmine, I’m good! Yes, I’m in New York — currently in my apartment in Brooklyn. The weather is beautiful today.
What have you been up to this week?
This week has been hectic. My day job is insanely busy right now, which is unfortunate, but that’s life. I’ve still been working on my personal projects in my studio, but it’s been tough with the demands of my day job. Wait, can I swear?
Of course.
Okay, well my work has been fucking crazy, so I haven’t had as much time to focus on my personal work, which is sad.
You’ve recently launched your first F/W collection, Late with Coffee. Congratulations!
Thank you so much. This collection means the world to me, and it has been a labor of love.
How did you land here?
Late with Coffee emerged from direction and encouragement from those around me. Initially, I created one-off pieces based on excitement and inspiration. Through sharing online and networking in New York, I encountered incredible opportunities. However, I realized that while I had built an impressive portfolio, none of the work was truly mine. I wanted to create a cohesive, thematic collection that represents my brand, separating me from being just a hobbyist.
What does it mean to be “Late with Coffee”?
Late with Coffee comes from one of my first jobs. I’ve been working since I turned 16. During a training day, my boss said, “If you come to work late with a coffee, you’re not actually late.” It stuck with me because it felt unfair — I was working for pennies and not allowed a few minutes for a coffee. Now, every time I walk into work late with a coffee, I remember that. It’s okay to be late with a coffee; nothing catastrophic happens. If you’re late with coffee, you’re still fine.
There’s a real subversion of corporate aesthetics in your work.
Yes, Late with Coffee draws inspiration from the chaotic jungle of corporate America. It’s about navigating this disorienting world as a creative. The collection reflects the ladder-climbing mindset and the craziness within mega-corporations and start-ups. It’s a complex feeling, not fully fleshed out yet, but it’s about existing in this dumpster fire of a world while pursuing creative endeavors.
Did the idea of creating a formal body of work feel daunting for you?
The idea of creating a formal body of work is both daunting and necessary. As an artist, not creating feels like a death sentence. The daunting part is presenting the work publicly, making it open to criticism and admiration. However, creating privately feels genuine and necessary.
Having now formalized your practice with a collection, have your impressions of the industry changed in any way?
My impressions of the industry are constantly evolving. Fashion with a capital F is both fabulous and destructive. It’s a dream and a nightmare, filled with luxury and waste, underpayment, and mismanagement. Creating my collection in-house was affirming and productive, allowing me to control the process and minimize waste. However, I’m still learning and figuring out my place within the industry.
What does your creative process look like?
My process involves inspiration and material work. Inspiration comes from everywhere: shows, movies, TV, anime, science fiction, horror, history. I internalize everything and use it when needed. I never sketch my looks; I prefer to knit fabric, drape, and sculpt on a dress form. I rarely start with new materials, focusing instead on what I already have.
Who inspires you?
Right now, my studio practice is leaning towards the nightclub world. I’ve done pulls for editorial magazines, music videos, and performing artists. Arca and Ice Spice are dream collaborators. They, along with other fierce, sensual artists, inspire me.
You’ve worked with some pretty incredible people already, no?
Yes, my brand has had the chance to work with amazing people, like Madonna on her Celebration tour, SZA for a music video, and Eartheater for cover editorials. It’s affirming to help craft these fierce visions, knowing that my work resonates with such influential figures.
So, what are your hopes and dreams for the rest of the year? Where to next?
I aim to continue pushing myself, moving out of my comfort zone, and achieving what I once thought impossible. Life in New York is tough, but I’m tougher. I’m not sure what’s next specifically, but I know I’ll keep up the spirit and speed, never stopping.
