The Radar: SEA - Telegraph New York based duo Monica Paolini and Sean Monahan set up SEA in 2007. After 6 years of dressing the coolest girls in town, Sea is about to go global. The saying goes 'Never mix business with pleasure' but old friends Sean and Monica decided to throw caution to the wind when they set up SEA. Starting their own business was a learning curve by the sounds of things. After spending her weekends studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Monica was installed as head designer of Jill Stuart and then Betsey Johnson. Sean, having helped out on her shows, "arrogantly" set up his own clothing line in 2007 - "the beginning was a shockingly humbling experience," he says in retrospect. Luckily for him, Monica joined him in 2009 and the rest, as they say, is history. Monaca Paolini and Sean Monahan in their studio on NY's Canal Street PHOTO: SEA We chatted to Sean who gave us a greater insight into all things SEA. Where and how did you meet? We probably met at a 4th of July picnic because our parents are friends. We grew up in the same town in upstate NY. We went to the same high school, although we never saw each other because Mon was a major nerd and I was never in school. How did you come up with name SEA? I was helping Mon on one of her shows- and while she was going through the run of show for the 50th time at 4 in the morning I was punching my name quite largely into corkboard. I quit at 'Sea,' went to get a coffee, and when I came back I saw SEA and knew that would be the name of the brand. I love the sea - it was the perfect name. The Radar: Cavan.com What was the inspiration for this collection? The pre-fall collection started with a gryphon I found while visiting a friend in London. I took that home and Mon and I went to a military/vintage store around the corner from our studio and we ended up with a stripe inspired from Navy clothing and pieces like the army field jacket in leopard Raffia. What sort of woman are your pieces aimed at? She is chic, feminine, unpretentious, loyal, and happy to wear SEA. She's studying, working, travelling and going out on the town but always wants to feel like herself. She's vibrant, free, and most of all, inspiring. Which celebrities would you like to dress? Which women's style do you admire? Carey Mulligan seems quite charming. We're fans of Michelle Williams and are happy when she wears the clothes. Lauren Hutton in the late 70s/80s is perfectly and effortlessly chic. How would you sum up your general aesthetic... Our collections do have a bright personality. The clothes definitely tend to be feminine and we hope are infused with a cool, chic, charmingly grounded essence. The Radar: Joseph bags Do you have a favourite place in NY? Our studio for sure. It's like an oasis and helps make the endless hours quite passable. And Di Palos. We have been going there together for Italian groceries for 16 years or so. It is an example of the best of NY. Do you have a favourite artwork? On Sunday we were looking through Elizabeth Peyton books - we love the feeling that's conveyed in her work. It's feminine, delicate and strong at the same time. And it's very NY - but a NY with a global horizon. Autumn/winter 2013 PHOTO: SEA Which designers are you influenced by? Dries Van Noten - although what we do is totally different- is inspiring because he seems so well-balanced. He is consistent and true to his voice; and in the end, we think that honesty is the most important feature of a brand. Where would you like to see the brand in five years time? We are super happy with the track the brand is on now - at the end of the day it's the girls that come back and buy SEA season after season that are driving the brand. We hope to extend that relationship into new product categories and perhaps a SEA store or two. If you weren't in fashion, what job would you like to be doing? I don't think Mon can imagine doing anything else. And if I weren't in fashion I'd love to be retired! Follow Sophie on Twitter: @_swarburton