mociun · N^o4800

Caitlin Mocuin began making clothes on the floor of her tiny New York apartment, and in 2006, several boutiques picked up her small line. Now, she’s an acclaimed designer who has produced several pop-up stores around New York, and opened a permanent location in Williamsburg this past March. The Williamsburg shop features her fantastic textiles and jewelry, as well as an assortment of home decorations, made by like-minded designers. On our last trip to New York, we stopped by the shop—a bright, airy room that felt like a gallery—and talked with Caitlin about her inspirations and future plans.


You started Mociun in 2006, and its original focus was hand-printed clothing, but it later expanded into other projects such as jewelry. Why the shift?
I was interested in jewelry after going to Morocco, and started playing around with it. I found that I like designing jewelry a lot more than apparel and, in my opinion, am better at it.

How do you come up with the design for a particular piece and/or print?
All kinds of ways. Sometimes from seeing something in a gallery, museum or store that sparks an idea or motif for me to work with. Sometimes from a conversation with a person. Sometimes from finding an interesting material, stone, etc. that jumpstarts a whole collection. I feel like being open and receptive to anything helps me pick up on all the little things that start my bigger ideas and projects.



What inspires you? Is there an area of the world that you find particularly inspiring?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one to pin down. Sometimes, I feel like it’s my mood that affects everything else. If I am feeling happy, I can see all kinds of wonderful things around me that start ideas churning in my head. I love to be around a person who inspires me and who brings out creative ideas/conversation. I love going to galleries and museums when I have time—seeing all kinds of new and old objects; the way things are displayed. I have been pretty inspired every time I have gone somewhere in the Middle East.



How would you describe the aesthetic of the store?
It’s a contemporary tangent on Bauhaus aesthetics (beautiful, useful, functional).



What is your favorite item in the store now?
The Chris Rucker quilt.

What is next for you and Mociun?
I'm working on an ongoing collaboration with Iacoli & McAllister on furniture and objects. I just had a home collection come out with Urban Outfitters. I have a whole new collection of turquoise pieces coming out in September. And there are a couple of other projects that I have in the works.




Photos by Stefan Kocev for Citizens of Humanity