Today marks the one-year anniversary for our latest cool-kid fashion obsession, SGC N-Y-C. Known for producing offbeat street apparel that is handmade in New York, the brand has quickly developed a cult following in the last 12 months, receiving notable nods in fashion rags like Vogue Paris, Foam, and Nylon, and even a shout-out on HBO's "How to Make it in America." To wrap up this newcomer's successful 2011, we hit designer Jason Alfano with five quick questions on SGC N-Y-C's past, present, and future. 

What's the story behind your label's name?
"SGC" stands for "Social Gathering Clothing." I was just listening to music one day, and this bootleg radio broadcast by The Birthday Party came on called "A Social Gathering for the Celebration of the Anniversary of Someone's Birth." It clicked in my mind that starting my brand was like giving birth, and today's social media-driven society allows individuals to follow and interact with brands like never before, which creates a social gathering, of sorts. 

Are you surprised by the buzz SGC N-Y-C has received in just 12 months?
I couldn't be more surprised with our success. I just sort of had this idea to start the line one day and went forward with it, with very little experience or connections.  I don't have a PR company or a showroom, and I make everything here in NYC. I might be doing everything wrong and against convention, but the brand keeps growing, so I'm happy.

How important is it to have your clothing designed and produced locally?
I actually just bought something yesterday and all over it said "New York" this and "New York" that, but then I read the label and discovered that it was made in Peru, which is misleading. Sure, you will encounter many obstacles when making clothing in New York, such as production costs and resource availability, but at least I am hands-on from start to finish and truly represent the community I want to be a part of and grow with.

You've collaborated with a number of top talents in fashion, art, and film, like Lauren Graham who directed your FW11 campaign video. Who are you teaming up with next?
These collaborative projects have become the most rewarding part of my job, thanks to all of the inspiring people that I've been able to meet and work with. I might do something with Obesity and Speed next, and I just made a custom dress for the Dum Dum Girls, which was cool. 

Where do you see SGC N-Y-C this time next year?
We are going to be in some amazing stores starting in the spring, which we're really excited about. And I'd like to recreate the Joe Strummer Fireside tour for our next fall presentation. New concepts for the brand continuously pop into my head, so the possibilities are endless.

Shop SGC N-Y-C here.