We recently connected with Genna Weiner and have shared our conversation below.

Genna , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have always known that design would be part of my life. I just wasn’t sure how. I went to school to study architecture and once out in the real world- I realized that being intimately involved in design on the daily, would not happen continuing down this path. I shifted to interior design knowing that I would be designing more and living in a more constant creative headspace.

After rising to the top as a Director of Design at a NYC firm, I found once again that I was not designing as much I had hoped. To fill that void, I started designing products/finishes/materials- since I was surrounded by them constantly it seemed like a natural place to start. I created both a rug line (The Bloom Collection) and wallcovering line (The Gold Label Collection) with trusted manufacturers and set them out into the world. My personal style has always been a bit avant garde and my product designs are a direct reflection. To be able to create in a different arena without the pressures of clients and bosses really awakened something in me and I didn’t stop there.

As a New Yorker and lover of well designed things, I have always loved fashion. Designing products pushed me to think outside the box again and start exploring designing clothes. I created BLK + GLD NY which is an upcycled, gender neutral, handmade fashion brand that focused on kids. Like the products, the clothes are a bit avant grade by traditional kids fashion standards and I love it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My philosophy on design is that design is design- if you have the eye there is no limit to what you can create and it can’t be taught. Today, I practice interior design, design home decor products and design for/run BLK + GLD NY.

Interior Design- I specialize in multi-family and single family residential design. I love sourcing materials/finishes and seeing an entire project come together and then become a reality. There is no better feeling than walking through one your built projects or seeing it in the pages of Interior Design magazine. I have been blessed to have worked with great developers/clients and made amazing contacts within the design industry. After much support from friends and family, I have recently gone out on my own and am now trying to build up my own design business- one client at a time.

Product Design- The Bloom rug collection that I designed and sold by Now Carpets was not only in magazines and nominated for awards, it has gained international recognition and has even made appearances at design trade shows. The Gold Collection of wall coverings is now sold by Bijou Coverings who designed the famous wallpaper in the Goodtime Hotel in Miami. The collection is comprised of 4 patterns of my custom art printed on metallic mylars- they are the perfect accent to any hotel, nightclub or home looking to make an avant garde statement.

Fashion Design- BLK + GLD NY
I would look to buy kids clothes for my niece and nephew and always noticed that none of the kid clothing brands felt like clothes I would wear as an adult and over time I would hear the same from my friends. I felt that there was a hole in the market, so I started an upcycled (with new items) bespoke clothing brand that has a more urban and hip vibe to it. Not only would I wear all the clothes myself but one of our mottos is “You should be jealous of your kid’s clothes.” There is nothing wrong with fire trucks and unicorns, but you won’t see that on our clothes. The excitement for our brand has allowed us to expand to include adult sizes, pet bandanas & accessories- for the full family fashion statement (whatever your family looks like.)

The ultimate goal of mine is to become a total brand- focused on multi-disciplinary design and continuing to collaborate, explore and influence.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

After going through the pandemic and having to rely on other people to make decisions about my future and work- I realized that I didn’t want to go through that again. I wanted to be in charge of my own fate, time, financial freedom and do business according to my outlook and priorities.

Have you ever had to pivot?

For the longest time, I tried to work full time as a Design Director and work on all of my side businesses. At a certain point, it became very clear to me that I needed to leave my steady job and take the leap in order to continue to grow and live a happy and productive life. Making that choice to leave a stabile life to take a chance on myself and the unknown was something I never thought I would be able to do- let alone do and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gennaweiner/?hl=en & https://www.instagram.com/blackandgoldnewyork/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genna-weiner-ncidq-iida-203380b0