How a near-death experience led Elizabeth Kuzyk to start her brand

Hello everyone!

READY TO BE INSPIRED?

The Style That Binds Us team is excited to bring our conversation with the designer Elizabeth Kuzyk, the Creative Director of KUZYK. When we decided to interview her, we knew we absolutely loved her jackets that are both timeless and super cool at the same time, but we had no idea she had led such a fascinating life! This is so often the case, and WHY WE DO THESE PODCASTS! Everyone has a unique story that begs to be told.

GO BACK, WHAT’S HER BACKGROUND?

She went to Parsons, interned at Lela Rose, Vera Wang, Zac Posen & Carolina Herrera, and worked in design at Proenza Schouler, before founding her own line of outerwear. Under the leadership of these brands, she was initially focused on couture (meaning creating one-of-a-kind pieces), and wanted to incorporate that somehow into her own line. 

WHAT ABOUT BEFORE THAT?

Something happened to her when she was a teenager that changed her life forever. Curious? You will have to listen to the podcast to find out what, but suffice it say, most likely you have not yet and will not experience it, and those who have, many times did not live to talk about it! Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER!

Elizabeth learned this first hand. Afterwards, she set a goal to design clothes that make those who wear them feel EMPOWERED and BEAUTIFUL. Her pieces actually grow more lovely as the owner wears them, they mold to one’s body and become like a second skin. A common reaction or response from buyers is, “I truly never leave home without it.” We love that clothes come to represent more than just the covering up of one’s body; the way a piece makes you feel is the goal of every designer, and Elizabeth Kuzyk nails it.

Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Elizabeth’s jackets are not inexpensive. They are lovingly crafted in NYC with quality materials. She calls them “quiet, wearable luxury”. In our opinion, it is better to have a few “hero” pieces in one’s closet, that can passed down-a piece that others come to associate one with; pieces that make a statement simply by slipping them on-rather than many disposable ones. These jackets are what we would call “treasures”!