BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Growing up in Southern California has its perks, and one of the biggest, of course, is the weather. Currently based in Long Beach, 25-year-old Michelle Nguyen has spent her entire life basking in sunshine, a fact that shows up, somewhat surreptitiously, in her womenswear line, Quail. Nguyen has no formal design training and started her line immediately after graduating from LA’s Biola University with a degree in Communications. It is now four seasons deep, and as she says, “When I started it, I figured the worst thing that could happen was that it wouldn’t sell, but it’s been very well-received.” Under its veneer of dark-haired, tattooed models, vintage silhouettes, and earthy palettes, Quail is a California girl at heart. “I’ve never had to pack away my summer clothes or dress for the seasons,” Nguyen says. “When I was designing, I definitely thought about how fantastic the weather is, and in California, my clothes are very wearable all year ‘round. The colors transcend seasons.” And it’s true: Quail shows a lot of leg, with poufed mini-skirts (that Nguyen dubbed Minnie Skirts), high-waisted bow shorts, and loose-fit, artist-inspired dresses. “I wanted the line to have a mix of masculine and feminine,” Nguyen says, “with oversized shirts and sweaters and a very balanced look—not all frail and lace.” For more information, see qisforquail.com.