As is known, Collins’s primary business is creating bespoke, hand engraved social stationery for private individuals. Additionally, she will ply a healthy heritage of graphic design skills for some businesses.
In these special instances, logos, typography, and even the infrequent website she designs are based on original, engraved monograms and stationery. The Frank de Biasi logo (as seen in the background), the Hein+Cozzi logo, and the recent Jeff McKay website are examples. Very occasionally, she will design collateral for special friends requiring a deep knowledge of traditional printing methods and techniques. Instances of this are unique collateral for The Butlers Closet and the soon-to-be-launched Welbourne Robinson logo and website.
March 16, de Biasi posted a glamorous image by Horst P. Horst. This seemed the perfect opportunity to post a six-part Instagram series about Mr. McKay’s collaborations with Horst as featured on McKay’s website. Among the clients with whom the two worked together were Bob Mackie and Donald Brooks.
Probably as a favor, Jeff convinced Horst to take the photograph used in as the little feature image for this page. I was the model. The spectacular coat—that now reminds me of a bullfighter’s suit of lights—was created by and to advertise the opening of the Keni Valenti boutique at 170 Avenue B in New York City.
“In the ’80s, Keni opened the first boutique on Avenue B, getting an arty crowd thanks to the five galleries within a block of there, not to mention fashionistas, tourists, and pioneering downtowners. His motto was to “wrap, tie, and layer,” turning designs into pieces of sartorial sculpture. And let’s not forget his wonderful McDonald’s overalls, eight-arm dresses, and monastic looking suits in the Italian flag colors. I wore the overalls to Andy Warhol’s funeral!” —Remembering 10 of NYC’s Coolest Long Lost Stores and Galleries From the ’70s and ’80s by Michael Musto, 29 June 2016, Paper Magazine.