Recently, fashion critics and non-fashion critics alike were almost unanimous in their “that’s so gauche” jeers at shows of grandeur from Paris Couture week.Due to the state of unrest worldwide and American economic turmoil, more and more people are voicing their distaste for all things grandiose. Fashion is, of course, an almost laughably easy target. That’s what makes Stefan Miljanich such an oddity in an unabashedly consumerist industry; he cares about sustainability, culture, history and eschews mass-market, disposable clothing. Oh yeah, and he makes really really good clothing. Too good to be true? We certainly don’t think so. Read on as Stefan talks about his inspirations and his new 2012 F/W collection.
How would you define your style aesthetic?
SM: As every actor picks up something along the way from a play or movie they are acting in, in the same way I have been picking up some cues and influences along my design road and my work with a variety of brands I have worked with. At the moment I am really focused to clearly define style aesthetics of Gilded Age and what this brand stands for, and at this point in the evolution of my style i would  define it as New York Casual.
Why did you choose Gilded Age for your brand name?
SM: The Gilded Age period is a super important time in American history (a period of a great progress, and yet a period of many social tensions and contrast) that has set the stage for  the American Century. The unique American music ( jazz), design , architecture and style have arisen during this time.  Through the cloths we are making at Gilded Age, I wanted to tell a bit of history and show that the past could be relevant to today’s style in some ways.
You’ve positioned Gilded Age as the opposite of mass-market, disposable clothing retailers. Do you find it difficult to maintain a certain level of quality while in an economic recession?
SM: Yes! But every time frame has it’s own challenges and businesses ( as well as designers) need to adapt to the changes.
You also use organic fabrics and natural denim dyes. Is creating sustainable fashion a priority for you?
SM: I try to live with an idea that I own the earth, Â so with everything we do we try to see what are the benefits and what are the drawbacks of all our actions. Sustainability is a big part of the equation, and not only in terms of using organic and natural fabrics, but also in terms of the business model, and the business growth path.
There’s a fair amount of old school Americana imagery in your clothing. What’s your inspiration behind such distinctive imagery?
SM: The latin proverb says” Historia magistra vita est” which roughly translates that the history is the teacher of life. I love history. I do love old American imagery and I do think it can teach everyone of us quite a bit… I like to drive influences from this time frame, since I think Ralph Lauren has done a great job of exploring the preppy part and the time frame of that culture through his work and clothing, and I could not do it better than him. So I went a little further down the road for the brand inspiration.
What’s next for Gilded Age?
SM: I want to point out that Gilded Age is not only inspired by the Industrial revolution and post Civil War. We are inspired by all great cultural influences and do come up with some of the best collections when  memories and emotions from things of the past are presented to us in the form of things that we do now. The Fall 2012 inspiration for the Gilded Age collection was drawn by exploring the rebellious and restless nature of a man, his raw and youthful defiance and yearning for new horizons… his quest for his own identity and a place in an increasingly volatile world. We are defining the man who doesn’t let the noise of others drown out his inner voice, the men that have the courage to follow their own heart and intuition to  create their own world in which is an inspiration to others.
For more information on Gilded Age and for a listing of stores where you can purchase any of the items shown, Â check out their website.
