Inhabit Designer Susie Cho on Inspirations, Manipulating Yarns, and Her Favorite eBay Find

By Jane Sung
June 6, 2011

Susie Cho Anyone who owns an item from modern knitwear clothing line Inhabit would probably confess to wearing it days on end. And Inhabit Creative Design Director, Susie Cho, wouldn’t want it any other way. Susie Cho designs the Inhabit clothing collection with the utmost emphasis on craftsmanship and quality—not to mention comfort—resulting in a luxurious yet effortless collection that could easily be incorporated into an everyday uniform. Susie Cho shares her design mantra: “I believe that clothes should not be disposable and that they should be designed with integrity and thoughtfulness. In my opinion, a beautiful design is not so beautiful when poorly executed. A good design lasts and holds up for many seasons, if not years.” (left: Susie Cho)

A Los Angeles native, Inhabit knitwear designer Susie Cho honed her design skills first at the Rhode Island School of Design and then at numerous fashion brands including DKNY and TSE, before partnering up with CEO Vivian Koo, and President of Sales Stacey Perlick, to launch Inhabit in 2003. We chatted with her about everything from design to downtime.

The Inside Source: How did you, Vivian, and Stacey come about launching the Inhabit clothing line?

Inhabit Cashmere Susie Cho: Stacey and I met at TSE. We saw that there was a need for a different kind of knitwear line, a collection that focused on sophisticated individuality, craftsmanship, nuanced fit and details; involving thoughtful clothes that are personal and enhance the wearer's individual style. We met Vivian shortly after leaving TSE and Inhabit was created.

The Inside Source: How does your past experience come into play in designing Inhabit's knitwear clothing line?

Susie Cho: My professional background is quite varied. I have worked in the designer, contemporary, and jeans markets—in wovens, knits, accessories—all very different but equally valuable experiences.

I started with wovens only and I wanted to expand my experience and try new things. I had always had a big interest in knitwear, so I started by freelancing for a few clients to teach myself on the job. I was specifically intrigued by the idea of creating the "fabric" as well as the silhouette and details.

I am often interested in exploring the hybridization of knits and wovens, as well as taking traditionally woven details and ideas and translating them into knitwear. Much of design is problem solving—taking a concept and working out the best way to conceive it.

The Inside Source: What is your take on current fashion trends?

Susie Cho: Trends are not so important to me. Pushing boundaries and continually trying new ideas, whether it is by transforming the silhouette through cut and fit or creating interesting yarns and textures, are what is most important to me season after season.

The Inside Source: What inspired the current Inhabit spring 2011 collection? Do you have any favorite fashion trends from the Inhabit clothing line?

Susie Cho: I was inspired by nature—outlines and textures found in landscapes. I like the netted anorak and shawl, as well as the airy lace pieces.

Inhabit Cashmere

Inhabit Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

The Inside Source: What are some frequent sources of fashion design inspiration for you?

Susie Cho: I get inspiration from everything in my life. I am inspired by my amazing friends, family and team. Sharing information and just talking about new ideas is hugely inspiring. Books, movies, the way people dress, and visual information of any kind are always constant sources of inspiration. This kind of research is not seasonal but continuous. I believe the work is always a work in progress—an evolution of ideas, concepts and feeling.

The Inside Source: Can you give any hints of what Inhabit fashion trends are coming out in fall 2011?

Susie Cho: We have worked to create interesting new textures by yarn manipulation and also mixing of yarns. I find those pieces to stand out most.

The Inside Source: Do you have any design projects going on outside of work?

Susie Cho: Right now, my hobby is renovating my home. It is pretty full-on for now, but I do love a project. One fun project I semi-recently finished was taking apart my old cashmere sweaters and reworking them into blankets and pillows.

The Inside Source: There’s nothing cozier than a cashmere blanket! Is there any possibility of venturing into an Inhabit home collection?

Susie Cho: I would love to start a home collection in the next couple of years. No concrete plans as of yet, but we are talking about it.

The Inside Source: Do you ever use eBay online auctions for design inspiration? What do you shop for?

Susie Cho: Yes, when I am looking for something specific, eBay is always one of the first places where I do a search. I mainly shop for antique/vintage textiles, home goods, books, and clothing.

The Inside Source: Do you have a favorite purchase you've made on eBay?

Susie Cho: I have a collection of crown of thorn frames that I started about 10 years ago. One of the best ones came from eBay.

Inhabit Cashmere