Meet yansi fugel | designer & founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with yansi fugel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi yansi, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Going into business with my soulmate, and marrying him. we were aligned on running a business that is well organized and supported our employees, while we had different talents that balanced beautifully. he spent his energies on the business side while i focused on the creative side.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We launched our company in the nineties with the purpose of outfitting women for the c-suite, “dressing in confidence” with clean, timeless style in high quality fabrics that don’t wrinkle and travel well. we maintained color standards with consistency to add pieces in order to multiply options without needing to buy extra pieces every season. many fabrics were seasonless, to be worn most of the year, which was a very sustainable and simple approach to a “working wardrobe.” the concept was intended to let women focus their energies on their “work” knowing they always looked great rather than worrying about what to wear.  more recently, since 2018, we have evolved to a made-to-order business model with the ability to make-to-measure as well. By applying our soft tailoring to tuxedos for women, aka “tuxshedos”, we are reimagining formal wear to create iconic, timeless pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. minimizing your closet while maximizing your options.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This time of year in nyc is the most wonderful time of the year kicking off with the tree at rockefeller center, watching the skaters and walking down fifth avenue to bryant park.

Across from bryant park is koi restaurant with some of the best sushi in the city, and a shishito pepper appetizer that is amazing. after fueling with a delicious lunch, walk over to the westside, meander through hudson yards and a breezy walk on the highline. along the highline, just steps down to street level, are some amazing galleries, skylight gallery and kasmin gallery are two of my favorites.

While nyc has incredible museums (check out the new whitney) sometimes the galleries around the city feel more immersive with the art. womenofculture.org does gallery hops, and various art fueled events that are always great.

best cup of coffee is stumptown coffee roasters with one in the village near washington square park, followed by meandering through the flea markets in the area, down bleeker street and environs.

A fave italian restaurant is sicily osteria on west 46th street, simple and elegant food that tastes like you are dining in italy. afterwards, walk off the pasta exploring times square.

A visit to nyc would not be complete without a broadway show, and “a beautiful noise” that recently opened about neil diamond’s life is a top pick.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My early inspiration were my mother and father, who emigrated to the states with four young children and they did not speak english. i was 4 years old with an older sister and 2 younger brothers. they were partners in raising us, working opposite shifts and learning broken english  my mom made special dresses for my sister and i on holidays, and i learned to sew from her. as i got older and my dad became better with english, he started flipping houses and as my brothers were too young, i would go with him to help with important jobs like pulling tiles off walls and carrying debris to the garbage.

We were encouraged with learning and the importance of education. although i enjoyed reading i loved drawing, and as i grew older knew i wanted to pursue a creative vocation. since i enjoyed working with my hands (pulling down tiles) and making things (sewing clothing), initially i thought to be an architect, design and build the structure then design the interiors and furnish the spaces.

Then in high school, my mentor was my studio art teacher who encouraged me to draw, paint and try my hand on the pottery wheel. i worked in charcoals, oil paints and acrylics with my senior project a 3′ x 5′ acrylic painting depicting the convergence of art and life. this took me on to pursue fine art in college.
during college while working in a fashion boutique, my interest drifted from studio art to fashion and i transferred to fashion institute in new york where i pursued fashion courses in draping, patternmaking and illustration as well as business law, merchandising and retail math as i knew i would eventually start my own business.

My first job upon graduation was with a boutique retail store chain and the vp of merchandising became a valuable mentor who supported my growth and advancement for the 9 years i worked there before launching my own company.

Website: https://tux-couture.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuxcouture/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yansi-fugel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoutureTux

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TuxCouture