Like a moth to a flame, the Celebutante Sisters were instantly drawn to clothing label Mothe.

The collections are like modern works of art, with sleek, clean lines, blocks of color and fine fabrics. Each piece has a chic detail that sets it apart from the crowd: a skin baring cutout, old-school piping, a thick, glam belt, a ruffle. Simple, yet sophisticated, Mothe clothing can easily take you from the office to the party scene.

Mothe founder May Kosaka draws from her studies in computer science and fashion when designing her line of dresses, tunics, tops and more. What else inspires this Big Apple based gal? What is her latest collection all about? Check out our EXCLUSIVE interview with talented designer May Kosaka.

Why did you decide to create your own line of womenswear?

When I started MOTHE, I felt there was a real void in fashion in New York, and generally in the US. I felt like I had a strong voice & vision that I wanted to get out there. Initially, getting a degree in computer science allowed me to explore the practical & logical part of my mind. Sculpture, specifically fabric sculpture, was something I wanted to pursue to bring what I thought was a powerful voice & vision to realization.

What is the philosophy behind Mothe?

To create flattering clothing that’s interesting to look at, like pieces of art, but comfy & cozy enough to be wearable every day.

A ruffle here. A cutout there. Your attention to detail is amazing. Still, you can wear these styles just about anywhere and dress them up or down. They are so multi-purpose! Was that one of the goals in creating this line?

Yes. I’m a working girl, too. I go to meetings. I have to run around the Garment District as part of my work. I need warm layers for winter and light ones for summer. I need clothes for down-time as well as for parties. City life and modern living in general requires a wardrobe that can go from day to night, from casual to party-life, with just a little clever styling. I like to make clothes that women can actually wear comfortably, and will love wearing.

What is the concept behind the Winter 2009 collection?

The Winter 2009 collection is called Shelter. The idea behind it comes from the deep need for comfort in winter months. I’m a person who needs to pile up the layers when the temperature goes down, and to cuddle with a boyfriend & reconnect with old friends when the somber short days & long nights of winter bring me down. This idea developed further into the idea of the womb, and then an egg, and actually most of the designs were inspired by the shape of a shark egg, or mermaid’s purse, this leathery, curvy, alien-looking pouch with tendrils that you can sometimes see washed up on the shore in the autumn.

What was the inspiration behind the Spring 2010 collection?

The Spring 2010 collection is inspired by the idea of molting, which is when animals such as birds, insects, and reptiles, shed their earthy-colored skins & feathers in the Spring to reveal vibrant & more attractive colors for the purpose of attracting a mate. The story that specifically inspired me was the plight of the cicada, which lives underground for 17 years, sucking off the sap a tree root. Then within a week in late summer, hundreds of them come up for the first time in their lives, latch onto the tree’s bark, and shed their brown exoskeletons overnight, revealing a white body which turns to black by morning, blood-red eyes, and amber-framed wings. They fly around for one summer in order to find a mate, then die shortly after. What a story!

If you could dress any three celebrities in Mothe, who would you pick and why?

Bjork and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, because they live completely by instinct, something which I’m still learning to do, and because they do and wear whatever they feel like. I don’t really know any other celebrities. I guess I don’t follow pop culture that closely :-)

What are your hopes for the future?

To build the company slowly, so that I can control the quality of the clothes & evolution of the “look”, and also so that I can build a loyal following. To push myself further to develop my aesthetic with every collection, so that my vision is clearer & the designs are stronger every season.

Mothe clothing is available online and at select boutiques. For more information, log on to MotheStudio.com.