At a mere 24 year's old, and after five seasons at New York Fashion Week, designer Frank Tell is already onto his second line. He's diversifying his portfolio this season with a collection based on his Catalan name, Francesc, for the more "ornamental buyer." In other words, the consumer whose not afraid to dish out some major capital on an alligator jacket or two.  We speak with the young visionary on how exactly he does it. 

Marcus Holmlund: You're about to show your sixth collection under your namesake line. What's to expect?

Frank Tell: The "Frank Tell" line is very downtown New York -- tons of leather and a bit less experimental than last season. It features reinvented takes on many of my signature pieces. 

MH: And for the new one, Francesc?

FT: Francesc is really a continuation of my work with lace, alligator and  other exotics skins I used for Fall 2011. I worked heavily with ostrich feather detailing and had fun playing with a lot of hardware. 

MH: Why did you choose to start your secondary line, Francesc, this season?

FT: I realized I had a customer-base that had no problem splurging on a $10-15,000 alligator item and I have wanted to take this step in my career for a long time now. It's a very necessary move for my company to grow. The line is more ornamental. It's almost as if I can now design under split personalities... I'm happy I have outlets for both now. 

MH: You're such a small company. How do you manage the two lines now?

FT: I have a very tight company employee structure comprised of my pattern-maker, my two seamstresses, and my interns. Right now, it's complete chaos. But all very necessary. 

MH: I know you've done some collaborations in the past. Most notably one with shoe designer, Raphael Young. Any for this season?

FT: No, not for now. Collaborations are very personal. I feel like you have to share the same aesthetics or ideas in order for things to work out at the end for both parties. My friend, jewelry designer Pamela Love is the  only other person that has been a successful collaborator so far -- our aesthetics really complement each other, and we were really happy with the outcome.

PAPERMAG's Complete Spring 2012 Fashion Coverage