Catching Up With Designer Jamie Rice of TUCK

At Sicka Than Average, we like to support fashion brands with an extensive heritage as well as indie labels and exciting upstarts. During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 in New York City, STA style contributor Izzy Ruiz checked out the debut collection of TUCK, the brainchild of Delaware-bred, New York-based designer Jamie Rice — and he was beyond excited about the label’s promise.

In keeping with Rice’s background in activewear (her resumé includes gigs at Ralph Lauren, PUMA, and Marc Ecko), the debut TUCK collection incorporated breathable, flexible, comfortable fabrics like jersey, French terry, and fleece, but Rice tailored them in snug, body-hugging silhouettes and incorporated unexpected details that gave the pieces an element of surprise. Standouts included a sweater with an exaggerated funnel neck, a rounded hemline, and three rows of golden buttons atop black stripes yielding a military effect; a cropped black jacket with voluminous short sleeves, a plunging V-shaped neckline, and two rows of golden sailor-like buttons; and a color-blocked mini dress with a plunging neckline and ethereal, kimono-like sleeves.

Weeks after the show, Izzy sat down with Rice at the TUCK headquarters to discuss the collection, her vision for the brand, and her feelings after her big debut. Check out the video above!