No matter how into fashion you are, some days you just want to slip into a comfy t-shirt and jeans. Eighteenth, a new label based in New York, reinvents the basic tee with innovative and unique cuts and detailing. Less than a season old, the company already boasts an impressive stock list, including one of my favourites, Oak.

Designer Alexa Galler took some time to answer some of our questions.

Paper-Doll: How did you get into fashion design?
Alexa Galler: I started as a graphic designer and began doing a lot of work for fashion companies. I got the bug.

When did you launch Eighteenth?
Spring/Summer 2010 is my first season. But I've been working on the line for a while. Finding the right suppliers and factories to work with, making every mistake possible.

What inspires you / your work?
Basically, how can I take the beloved tee and make it different? I also notice that most of my best ideas come from mistakes. So, mistakes inspire me.

Describe your SS’10 Collection.
Sharp lines, cut outs, unique necklines, asymmetry, comfort.

What is your favourite piece from your SS’10 Collection?
I love them all, of course.

Did you have a personal soundtrack or a favourite album that you listened to while working on SS’10?
I like having Fraiser reruns on in the background.

What area of your work do you enjoy the most?
I find sourcing the most excruciating and therefore the most rewarding. Such a high when something works out right. I also, surprisingly, enjoy blogging and tweeting. And it's quite nice to call shopping, «market research», and surfing the web and going to movies, «inspiration».

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Having to do everything - designing the clothes, doing sales, making sure production goes smoothly, working with photographers, making look books…Sometimes it would be nice to only have to think about one thing, but then again, this is what I love about fashion.

What is the most surprising thing that has happened to you as a designer?
That people besides my parents follow Eighteenth on Twitter and have become fans on Facebook.

If you could collaborate with any designer / artist / musician / etc. on a single project, who would it be and what would you do?
Currently, I am working with Revery Media, the band Pocketknife and the Alt of Gest dance troupe to create a short video to throw around the web.

How would you describe your own personal style?
Lazy.

What is your favourite item in your personal wardrobe?
A ring that my grandmother gave me. It's this weird shape that can only fit it on my right pinky finger.

Where do you shop for clothes when you're not wearing your own?
I spend pretty much all my money on creating Eighteenth, so H&M and Urban get whatever little I've got left.

What is the one item that every woman should have in her closet?
Can I say a white T-shirt, hint hint. It's a great default piece.

What is your favourite thing about the city you live in?
(New York) Coffee and magazines on every corner.

If you couldn’t be a fashion designer, what other area of interest would you like to explore?
I find photo retouching quite fun lately.

What is next for your label?
To keep designing innovative tees and to eventually incorporate more pieces, like pants and jackets, into the collections.

Visit: Eighteenth