Designer Ling Arnold developed Palmier, a women’s ready-to-wear brand that embodies elegance and spontaneity, in 2019, following a career in finance at Goldman Sachs. Her collections incorporate artistic flair with collage appliques, painterly prints, and clever details such origami folds.
We caught up with Arnold to talk about the collection, which is developed and produced in the New York City Garment District, and can be found at the boutique at Gurney’s Montauk.
Tell us about your background. What inspired you to pivot from a career in finance?
I knew from a very early age that fashion design was my calling. Going into college, my parents really wanted me to pursue a more traditional, well-rounded academic route rather than something highly specialized such as a program in fashion design. So, as a compromise, I studied Art History and Business Administration at Bucknell University and went on to have a career in finance for almost a decade prior to launching Palmier. I think all these years I was always waiting for that perfect moment to pivot to my real passion, and when I realized that there isn’t such a thing as a perfect or safest timing, I made the leap for it.
Talk about how Palmier reflects the artful spirit of both yourself and its wearer.
Art and design is where my passion lies. I draw a lot of inspiration from modern art, interior design, and Mother Nature (most talented artist of them all). I constantly challenge myself to approach fashion design as a form of wearable art. From our signature hand-painted prints to the sophisticated craftsmanship, demonstrated by every single skilled hand that touches the creation process; this overarching appreciation for artistry is very much ingrained in our brand DNA. The Palmier woman carries an artistic flair and definitely wants to express that side of herself via her fashion choices.
How did your family inspire you as a designer?
My mother is a very fashionable woman. Her sense of style; though I would describe it as very classic and timeless, stood out as fashion-forward in the 1990’s China. Some of my earliest childhood memories consist of images of her in these breezy dresses rendered in pastel watercolor prints. There is even a piece in our latest pre-fall 2023 collection that is inspired by those very memories.
My father is a multi-disciplinary artist. He was a classically trained painter by trade, then ventured into the digital filmmaking world later on in life, and I think the genetic influence from that side as far as creativity goes is undeniable.
Tell us about the materials you use and producing the line in New York City’s Garment District.
Craftsmanship has been one of the brand’s ethos since the very beginning. The materials we use are sourced from generational family-owned mills in Italy and France. I am a firm believer that passion coupled with pride results in quality. And this philosophy could not have been proven more accurate with the same families of weavers we have been working with since the launch of the brand.
My initial choice to produce our very first collection in the garment district here in NYC was born out of constraints. My thought process at the time was: I live here; I need to go talk to someone in person. I need to be there in person for every step of the entire process. But then it took very little time for me to realize that it was absolutely a necessity for us to produce here on Seventh Avenue. The level of craftsmanship, attention to detail and the close relationships I have been able to build with all of the production partners here in the garment district make up a critical component of what our brand is about, and it would not have been possible if we produced overseas.
Where can we find your pieces on the East End?
Palmier is currently available at the boutique at Gurney’s Montauk. We are also in the process of finalizing a few trunk shows this summer with NYC based multi-brand specialty retailers’ outposts on the East End. Stay tuned!
What are a few of your favorite things to do on the East End?
I think one of the most unique characteristics of the East End is how multifaceted it is. For me and my family, the things we routinely enjoy center around the stunning natural beauty of this land, the simple countryside living experience and the rich culture of the East End. Some of my favorite things to do include driving around back country roads and visiting local farms along the way, catching sunsets with walks on the beach or down the boardwalk on Munn Point in Southampton with our two very rambunctious huskies, and checking out the revolving exhibitions at Parrish Art Museum. The grounds itself are stunning which is one of the reasons that my husband and I chose to have our wedding there in 2019. The museum’s focus on the legacy of art on the East End, which long before it became The Hamptons as we know it today, served as this massive artists colony for over a century. Artists definitely do follow the light!
