A glance around Cassie’s SoHo loft—a rustic former artists’ studio—hints at the sensibilities that inform her work. A jumble of antiques and mid-century furniture is accented by delicate blown glass objects, woven Asian textiles. On the painted brick walls hang sepia photographs of ancestors, 18th century drawings, her own artwork, a Picasso lithograph and flea market finds. Cassie’s personal style is a similarly eclectic amalgam of downtown chic, vintage pieces, whimsical jewelry and ladylike handbags.

A native of Alexandria, VA, Cassie grew up just miles from some of the world’s greatest works of art.  Her parents, both of artistic lineage, encouraged creative freedom and indulged some of her early, more grandiose flights of fancy—such as concocting elaborate gowns for their pets. Frequent family travels fostered in her an appreciation for history, architecture and other cultures. While her mother has always adopted a “less is more” approach to her own style, choosing muted, sophisticated hues and classic lines, her father inhabits the more flamboyant end of the spectrum, layering unexpected color combinations alongside traditional suiting materials. In Cassie’s designs, echoes of both find a harmonious home. Raised among an eccentric cast of relatives and family friends, she developed a wry sense of humor and a fascination with the offbeat and imperfect that are very much a part of her aesthetic today.

Certain from a young age that she wanted to a career in design, Cassie received her Bachelor’s degree in Art from Davidson College, where her focus on abstract sculpture engendered a love of working in three dimensions. After graduating she attended Parson’s in Paris and then received an AAS in fashion design from Parson’s School of Design in New York City.  Weeks after completing her degree, she landed in the design studio at Rebecca Taylor. There, she oversaw design for Rebecca Taylor, Japan and designed footwear for Rebecca Taylor, New York. She credits working with the Japanese market and spending time in Tokyo for some elements of her own style. After three and a half years, Cassie decided to branch out on her own and unveiled her first collection in Spring 2005.