It’s easy to picture Rachel Antonoff as a girl who’s easily inspired. After all, the New York-based designer’s presentation for fashion week in September featured an elaborate stage set-up, where delicate models posed for the audience in playful tops, floral rompers, frilly party dresses and even a tutu…or two. The scene at the Henry Street Theater was equal parts dollhouse and madcap funhouse, topped with an on-stage appearance by actress Alia Shawkat, of TV’s Arrested Development fame.

And yet if you get to know Antonoff, you’ll find that the presentation (and her fawned-over womenswear line) is really just an extension of her personality: equal parts girly and tough; downtown chic and slumber party cool. It’s a line that’s as expressive as the designer behind it.

Outside of fashion, Antonoff’s inspirations and favorite things run the gamut from superheroes to scrapbooks. We asked Antonoff to take part in our exclusive online series about “ten things that never go out of style” (sort of like a corduroy jacket) and she happily agreed. Here is her “top ten” list:

1. Meryl Streep
2. Ice cream cones
3. Pot
4. Superheroes
5. Best friends
6. Chanel suits
7. Scrapbooks
8. Converse. They go with everything
9. Tap Dancing
10. Movie musicals. From Gypsy to Babes in Toyland, I can’t imagine not loving them.

- TC