Please first introduce yourselves, a bit about who you are, your background and an introduction to No. 8b.
We (Elizabeth Beer & Brian Janusiak) formed Various Projects, as a multidisciplinary design collaboration, in 2005. The store on Division St., NYC (Project No.8) is our eighth project together.

In addition to our own clothing line (Various Projects), the store carries clothing, accessories and miscellaneous objects from a number of people, including: A Détacher (NY), Alyssa Norton (NY), Anuschka Hoevener (Berlin), Bless (Paris/Berlin), Boudicca (London), Chester Wallace (Portland), Christian Wijnants (Antwerp), Chris Bundy (NY), Falke (Germany), Florian (Paris), Hope (Stockholm), Jane D’Arensbourg (NY), Kiosk (NY), Kostas Murkudis (Berlin), Kwik Shop (Berlin), L.G.R Sunglasses (Rome), Maggie Trakas (NYC), Maison Martin Margiela (Everywhere), Mykita (Berlin), Natalia Brilli (Paris), Peter Wiesmann (Bremen), Salvor (NY), Seth Kinmont (NY), Sunshine and Shadow (NY), Schiesser (Germany), Tom Scott (NY), Tsurukichi (Japan/SF), Village (NY). As well as books from Sternberg Press, Niggli, Roma and Idea Books.

No. 8b, is a further exploration of the aesthetics and ideas introduced at our first store, Project No. 8. The store at the moment carries Bless (Berlin), Chester Wallace (Portland), ____fabrics interseason (Vienna), Falke (Berlin), Hope (Sweden), Jane D’Arensbourg (NY), Kiosk (NY), Kostas Murkudis (Berlin), L.G.R. Sunglasses (Rome), Maison Martin Margiela (Everywhere), Mykita (Berlin), Natalia Brilli (Paris), Raf Simons for Eastpak (Antwerp), Salvor (NY), Schiesser (Berlin), and a new line of fragrance Shigenobu (New York), Stephan Schneider (Antwerp), Tsurukichi (Japan/SF), Village (NY) and Various Projects (NY). In addition, there will be new menswear collections from Christian Wijnants (Antwerp) and Tom Scott (New York) being introduced for the Fall/Winter Season.

No. 8b, proudly represents the German furniture line, e15.

You have both been running Project 8 which has been your collaborative store in the Lower East Side of New York, did you both wanted to create something different then the boutique concept reoccurrence in the city or another outlet for launching well-tailored products that previously were unfamiliar?

In many but not all cases, we have looked to work with people who are creating things outside of or alongside their main projects. Having a retail space is a chance for us to experiment with – more publicly – some themes that reoccurred in our own work: concerns with distribution, collaboration, sustainability, digression and the creation of fluxuating communities. We have tried to imagine the store to be in part a place for the projects people had no immediate or obvious home for, liking the idea of digression as an intentional (and sometimes necessary) change of subject.

What captivated or the drive in motivation to open your newest project 8B which is the new menswear concept store? How do you both feel the products and accessories will compliment your entrepreneurial business approach?

The main reason for opening No. 8b was simply about space. We felt that it was too difficult to contain both Men’s and Women’s in Project No. 8. There was too much we wanted to show of each and too many things that we were not able to try entirely because of space issues. We were also hoping that by creating a second space, No. 8b , it would allow us to explore other areas such as the introduction of e15 furniture, more objects, more books, more chances to collaborate.

Is your store contrained by New York’s fashion runway collections?

We think one of the things that is special about New York is that it is a place made up of everything and everyone. And we are a city of strong opinions. In a way, if you have a specific thing to say there is already some built in percentage that is your audience. If you do what you do well, then your audience will likely grow. It is a certainty that not everyone will like it, but I think that if it is something that is honestly trying to do its own thing, there will be a place for it in New York.

Are you both passionate about the concept of fashion? Project 8b looks to go far beyond its surface and it’s about a resonance of tailoring, craftsmanship and a vehicle for good design.

We feel very strongly about things that are thoughtful. And by that we mean more the thought that makes something uniquely itself. This of course also defines good design to us on all levels and in all disciplines. We are just as intrigued and energized by really thoughtful clothing design as we are by books, objects, furniture, architecture, etc… We try to present all the things that focus on the details that describe this type of thoughtfulness in any direction.

People will assume that managing a business, even differentiated such as your collaborative efforts are straightforward. But the kind the details, and complexity to evaluating products and the everyday business activities is painstaking work. Have you setup a distinctive approach to giving presence to your chosen products and delivery to your clientele?

I think that what we have learned is that keeping everything going behind the scenes in a way that lets the store be a relaxing and engaging experience is crazy difficult. Our only approach seems to be making it up as we go along, and changing things if they don’t work. Also involving and relying on a really smart, hardworking and thoughtful team of people. Beyond that, the only thing we follow is that we only present what we are really excited about ourselves. It seems simple, but involves taking financial risks constantly when you love things that may or may not sell in the end.

Share with me the design of Project 8b’s interiors. From initial images, it’s a toko more of a workroom, a work in progress where customers feel they are apart of. It’s a mélange of hard and soft textures.

A work in progress is a great way to describe No. 8b in both it’s look and feel. The design of the space is a collaboration between Various Projects (our own studio), RSVP Studios (architect Brian Ripel), and Acme Byproducts (contractor Michael Joseph). It’s a great team that we first put together to create Project No. 8 and we think it benefits from a range of opinions, experiences, and solutions that are unique to each of us. And yes, the biggest part of the design is to create a space where the people who enter and also who work there become an integral part of the set up.

Does it reflect your personalities? It’s a store that feels more homely and non-exclusive which for many other setups, make their interiors so stark and clinical particularly those that represent Belgian designers.

The space is a manifestation of how we think about everything. How we feel things come together, and what it means to be in the middle of an interesting conversation with people you know intimately, and those you are meeting for the first time. We also like to be able to move things around, we change things around to keep it interesting for ourselves and hopefully for others as well. The more flexible the space the more chance for discoveries.

What do you both love about New York?

We love the energy of a city that can’t sit still. A city that changes constantly, and at the same time, is constantly struggling against its own change.