We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Paterek recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

For over 15 years, S*x Trash’s dedication to sourcing vintage lingerie has allowed them to create truly unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. By collaborating closely with clients, the brand offers a rare and personalized experience, making each client feel special and involved in the creative process. This approach not only ensures a distinct final product but also fosters a meaningful connection between designer and client, adding a deeper layer of authenticity to each custom piece.

Stephanie Paterek is living the dream of every independent designer—moments where she is granted complete trust and creative freedom. Her work with Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kesha, Taylor Momsen, and Lzzy Hale are walking examples.
This level of trust and collaboration is what every designer strives for, allowing for the creation of unique, tailored pieces that reflect both the artist’s persona and the designer’s creative flair. By merging luxury fashion brands with vintage elements, Stephanie is able to craft one-of-a-kind looks that are as bold and distinctive as the rock stars who wear them.

Stephanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Stephanie Paterek’s journey from a passion for different eras to establishing her own clothing line, NYC S*x Trash, is a fascinating story of creativity and success. Her unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll style, vintage lingerie, and artistry has set her apart in the fashion industry.

The birth of NYC S*x Trash in 2009 marked a significant milestone for Paterek, who drew inspiration from her experiences as a designer, stylist, and artist in the vibrant and influential environment of New York City. Her commitment to creating custom-made and hand-embellished pieces that accentuate the curves of a woman’s body reflects her dedication to craftsmanship and individuality.

The runway debut at Patricia Field’s yacht party and subsequent support from Trash and Vaudeville propelled NYC S*x Trash into the limelight. The endorsement from world-renowned figures like Lady Gaga further solidified Paterek’s unique designs. Lady Gaga’s appearances in NYC S*x Trash in music videos and public events elevated the brand’s profile, leading to collaborations and exhibitions, such as the Lady Gaga art show in Paris.

Noteworthy moments include Lady Gaga in custom S*xTrash in the “Born this Way” video, Britney Spears and her backup dancers wearing custom NYC S*x Trash pieces in the “Work Bitch” music video and Beyoncé featuring S*x Trash in the “Haunted” music video release. “Miss Nothing” by The Pretty Reckless . The brand’s reach extends to custom tour wardrobe collaborations with celebrities like Taylor Momsen, Lzzy Hale and Bebe Rexha.
Ellie Goulding and Megan Massacre, and involvement in styling music videos for various bands.

Paterek’s hands-on approach to the fashion industry goes beyond her design studio. She collaborates with friends and muses like Taylor Momsen, ensuring her influence extends to stage looks, editorial spreads, and music videos. Additionally, her involvement in styling for music videos of notable artists and designing outfits for Miami’s popular nightclubs showcases her versatility and engagement with diverse aspects of the fashion world.

The exclusivity of NYC S*x Trash in key fashion capitals such as NYC, London, Japan, and Paris, as well as its presence in Nicola Formichetti’s pop-up stores, underlines the brand’s international appeal. Stephanie Paterek’s journey exemplifies the fusion of passion, creativity, and industry recognition that has positioned NYC S*x Trash as a distinctive force in the fashion landscape.

Stephanie Paterek’s collaboration with Onslot to launch the ready-to-wear brand “Love Cage” represents a strategic move to expand her influence and reach in the fashion industry. The partnership culminated in the successful showcasing of Love Cage collections at Lingerie Fashion Week, an event that likely provided a platform to display the brand’s unique aesthetic and style.The endorsement from celebrities like Alexa Ray Joel, who wore a significant portion of the Love Cage collection.

The collaboration with Onslot and the establishment of Love Cage as a successful ready-to-wear brand not only showcases Stephanie Paterek’s versatility as a designer but also positions her as a prominent figure in the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry.

Paterek’s work has been featured in a variety of magazines including Vogue, Nylon, Filler, Zink, 25 Magazine, Galore Magazine, Revolver, Rolling Stone, cover of FHM magazine, Marie Claire, Glamour magazine, cover of INKED, VIBE, GRIT, Faze, The Sunday Mirror, US Weekly, KERRANG, Hercules and Japan’s Vivi and Kera Magazine.

Also has been featured on online sites such as Perez Hilton’s Coco Perez, Fashion Indie, Refinery 29, High Snobette , Huffington Post, Gaga Fashionland.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Embracing those quieter times as opportunities to recharge, plan, and innovate is key. even though it could feel scary!! Business cycles naturally have their ups and downs, and using those calm periods to build and create can lead to some of the most impactful growth and breakthroughs. This mindset can turn every phase into a productive step forward.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

At the height of my career, everything seemed to be happening at once. My designs were reaching new heights—Britney Spears had just worn one of my bras in a music video, a major milestone that put my creations in the global spotlight. Meanwhile, my new ready-to-wear line, “Love Cage,” was launching, marking a pivotal step forward in S*xTrash evolution.

But amid all the excitement and success, life threw an unexpected curveball. I was pregnant during this whirlwind of achievements, and suddenly, my water broke three months early. Our sons arrived ahead of schedule, tiny but fierce, demanding a shift in focus from my career to something i felt was even more important: motherhood.

The years I took off to focus on being a mother became a transformative time, reshaping her priorities and infusing my creative journey with a new depth. Though my career would undoubtedly continue, I would never look back on this time with anything but gratitude for the choice I made to be fully present for my family. And when the time was right, which is now…I would bring my passion and artistry back to the world, even stronger than before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nycsextrash.com
• Instagram: nycsextrash

Image Credits

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