BYT Style Council Members Lisa Mayock & Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava

Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai, the two talented stars behind the line Vena Cava, are serving as members on the Bright Young Thing’s Style Council. Both California girls, the pair met in New York while going to Parsons, and Vena Cava unfolded from there. They believe that original style comes from the person wearing the clothes rather than the designer label behind the clothes. These two women are savvy, sophisticated, smart, stylish, and very funny, all things that define a Bright Young Thing. Check out their ridiculously well-curated blog here, and read about their intriguingly quirky, impeccably classy style senses after the jump:

What are some adjectives or metaphors that best reflect each of your personal styles?

LISA: How about a haiku?

never matching things
humor is necessary
jewelry compulsion?

SOPHIE: “People can have the Model T in any colour – so long as it’s black.” – Henry Ford. That sums it up for me.

When in your life did you land on the style you express now? Or is it still in flux?

LISA: I hope that the way I dress will always be in flux at least a little bit. I would be very sad if I ever reach the point where I decided “this is it”. The exploration is the best part.

SOPHIE: I have no idea what my style is- It’s like kissing yourself- I have no idea what it’s like from the other side. I think I lean toward classic understated things, with unique details. I don’t like things that attract too much attention, or are too trendy. I like to think my style is a mixture of my mother and my great Aunts (grandmother). Lots of black, minimal, interesting jewelry, with great cuts and tailored fits. No idea when that happened, probably when my mom was shopping at Loeman’s while I was in the womb.

Is there a recent fashion trend that you find particularly compelling, that perhaps is not just the look of the week?

SOPHIE: I’m into black and white ethnic prints, they happen to be trendy now but they never go out of style.

You’re both from California, and you both came to New York City for college. What was that shift like? How much design disparity is there between the coasts? What made you stay here post-grad instead of returning to CA?

LISA: I think we both lean toward the west coast method of dressing, which is much less defined- people kind of wear whatever, and its much more acceptable there. I also appreciate how easy it is to get dressed when youre just putting on one layer, as opposed to several. My modus operandi for dressing is pretty dress, big jewelry. Its pretty straightforward. We stayed here initially because our contacts were here, we wouldn’t have known how to get anything off the ground anywhere else.

What defines good taste in fashion? How much should one’s taste be a nod to past style greats, and how much should be pure originality? Is there such thing as pure originality?

SOPHIE: There is definitely pure originality, although I think in the end it comes from the person wearing the clothes, rather than the designer. There always should be a personal spin, you can have designer clothes, but no style. It’s more likely to find someone that has great style but does not wear designer clothes- instead she shops at the Goodwill. I think “good” taste is pretty subjective, and bad taste can certainly look tasteful depending on the person who is wearing it.

What are your inspirations for Vena Cava?

LISA: We have a few references that we love- that we come back to a lot, even if you can’t always see them in the final product, they help us get there: Biba, 70′s and 30′s silhouettes, messing around and exploring the public library, african textiles and Native American patterns, graphic design from the 60′s and 70′s, Weiner Werkstatte decorative art, dada.

Where does the name Vena Cava come from?

SOPHIE: It’s Latin, it’s the main vein that pumps blood to the heart.

What has been the single worst style trend in your lifetimes?

LISA: Scrunchies. But I think I might still be bitter because my scrunchie collection was pretty scrappy compared to all my friends.

SOPHIE: I would have to say the male tank top- me no likey.

What do you wish would come back from fashion history?

SOPHIE: Ancient robes, can’t we all just walk around in beautiful robes, and cloaks… like monks?! Leonard Cohen was onto something in the 80′s. They just seem so comfortable and easy.

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