EM_RESERVOIR

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Designer Erin Murphy’s inspiration for the {EM} Reservoir Spring/Summer Collection of 2013 was influenced by a unique dynamic of urban and nature. Insects specifically played a role in developing the color concepts and silhouettes of the collection. Gushing over the intricacies & vibrant color palette of, artist & entomologist, Christopher Marley’s Pheromone, Erin incorporated diamond beetle-backs in charmeuse, wings draped from crepe de chine and exoskeletons of chiffon. Being a woman of sincerity and innocent humor, even her collection’s colors were named after insects, including cricket, firefly, and snail pink. From her urban perspective, this collection was also heavily inspired by architecture. Antonio Gaudi, the Spanish Catalan architect, became a primary focus of inspiration for his vibrant color palette and beautifully intricate carved forms. Gaudi’s geometric stained-glass directed Erin’s tiling of the prints. Whereas the gold trims and hardware used throughout the collection are reminiscent of his significant use of gold accents. The curvilinear art nouveau forms of Gaudi’s most praised work, The Sagrada Familia Basilica, inspired looks such as the open-back blouson, columned panels. Another area that Erin pulled architectural influence was from the Midwest where she grew up and spends her time going back to visit her family. Much of this area of housing is in a stage of detrition or rebirth. She finds the beauty is in the juxtaposition of the two phas-es. This is where the wood prints for this season’s collection were created. After photographing chip board Erin hand painted, mimick-ing the imagery of weathered homes, she tiled & twisted the images to create the striped & herringbone wood prints in silky wind-breaker nylons and stretch brushed gabardine-like denims. The combination is a lustrous kaleidoscope of garments dreamed and designed for today’s young, successful & on-the-move woman, who finds life alluring whether she’s walking along a river or the red carpet. The result is {EM} Reservoir, a line focused on creating high-end style with unrestricted trailblazing versatility.

About the Designer

Erin is based in New York City, NY, United States.

With her head in the city and heart in the country, {EM} Reservoir is an intimate representation of designer Erin Murphy's love for things both urban chic and rustic.
A passion for design that began on the lap of her Grandmother Carmen, Erin pursued a degree in Apparel & Textile Design in the Midwest before setting out for the Big City. Upon leaving her home in Michigan, Erin landed her first position with Vera Wang working on RTW and bridal. Since her days at Vera Wang, Erin has worked alongside top international designers including Alexander Wang, Narciso Rodriguez and J Mendel. During this time, she fine-tuned her skills and has developed an unmatched hand for draping and an intimate understanding of fabrics.
In addition to a love for design, Erin's passions are waist deep in rivers fly fishing, kayaking along her native shoreline of Michigan, and tackling tomatoes in her home garden up the Hudson. In her early career she worked in the performance industry, which greatly contributes to her ability to incorporate the functionality of fabrics into show-stopping style.
Erin's admiration and journey through two distinct lifestyles, city and country, has brought her vision together. The result is a focus on creating high-end style with unrestricted trailblazing versatility. Erin often describes {EM} Reservoir as "a brand for those that pot and pick their own strawberries before tossing them into a glass of champagne." A perfect representation of her own lifestyle AND wardrobe.