Why did you decide to start a line together? Do either of you have any formal training in fashion or design?

BRIT: We've always been involved in the arts in one way or another. Kara went to art school and then fashion school, I went to film school. Kara ended up working for a few different fashion designers, and I ended up working with jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer for several years. I think we always wanted to create a line together and to combine our creative energies. We knew that the combination of our similarities and differences would create an unorthodox, juxtaposed line. And the timing was just right.

KARA: What she said. And we just selfishly wanted to create the perfect wardrobe for us each season. In the past we wanted to start a few different lines, but it always felt forced and they were never brought to fruition. When ELKIN came about, it felt so right, so natural, and so much bigger than anything we ever thought up. We knew it was time. And it gives us a good excuse to hang out all day.

How would you describe the ELKIN girl?

BRIT: She's a chameleon. Open to trying new things and not being pigeonholed into any one look. Exploring and experimenting with fashion, as well as with life. Daring, bold, adventurous, artistic, eclectic.

KARA: She's inspiring, and she's inspired by the unorthodox. Daring, fresh, bad, always evolving, and has shameless creativity in all aspects of life... not just fashion.

What is your favorite piece from your current collection?

BRIT: The Wuthering sweater... it looks like an intricate spider web, falls beautifully on the body and it has super long sleeves with a bit of a looser fit. I wear it with everything, from tiny vintage dresses to just a white tee and leather pants. It fits all my moods. I love it.

KARA: I love the Silence Dress...it's the perfect mix of vintage and contemporary. You feel like a doll in it, a bad-ass little doll. I also love the Eyre Romper because it really is what ELKIN was inspired by... lingerie and late nights. It's so perfect paired with high-waisted denim, and it's so sexy to fall asleep in.

Each season has an interesting theme, what inspired this concept?

BRIT: We love the idea of artistic evolution and reinvention so we combined this idea with our love of costumes and literature. Each season is a new genre, a new surprise. In terms of the reading and playlist, it's compiled by what inspires us that particular season, what fits the mood/vibe of that genre and collection. And if we can inspire people to pick up a book or listen to music they've maybe never heard, well then that's rad.

KARA: We felt moody for fall, so we thought Gothic Romance was a perfect genre. It's dark and eerie, but so romantic and fantastical. We choose appropriate books to read and music to listen to before we even start designing. Our collections are never going to be totally literal, but each piece will always have some aspect of the story we've created for that season. We're sooooo excited about SS12...

...And on the topic of music and playlists. Why did you choose Elizabeth "Z" Berg from The Like as your lookbook model?

BRIT: Z is a friend of ours so we love her, but she is also someone who is a chameleon and constantly exploring her style. She's also a total ELKIN - she's artistic, confident, daring, adventurous, fun, explorative. She's a sweetheart and so much fun to hang out with.

KARA: Z is the definition of "meow." She's so confident, fun, and doesn't take fashion too seriously... she's her own being. And she may or may not be making an appearance in our SS12 lookbook...:)

...And then when it comes to books, would you call each other bookish? What books are you reading right now?

BRIT: We're super inquisitive people and we like getting lost in books, so ya, I guess you could call it bookish. We just got through reading a bunch of books on Brothels and Bordellos of the Old American West, since that's what we based our SS12 collection on. But now I'm onto re-reading The Sun Also Rises for the 3rd time - it's my favorite.

KARA: Just Kids by Patti Smith. Brit and I were also just gifted some amazing art books by The Gagossian Gallery... I love John Currin, and one of his catalogue is always open on my coffee table. My mom got upset recently when she saw it and thought I was reading porn.

Can you tell me a little bit about your involvement with H.O.P.E. What made you decide to work with a charity?

BRIT:We really wanted to combine creativity with philanthropy; we wanted to combine our love for fashion with our love for literature and H.O.P.E was the perfect campaign to help us do that. They are always doing such cool things to promote art and education.

KARA: By teaming up with H.O.P.E we get the best of both worlds... an amazing closet, and the opportunity to help children in need. Knowing that we are helping promote literacy and encouraging creativity is a really cool feeling.

Back to fashion:

What's one thing every girl needs in her closet this fall?

BRIT: ELKIN.

KARA: ELKIN.

Do you have a favorite trend you're shopping this season?

BRIT:We don't really follow trends. But there are certain things we love. I always love the classic boy-meets-girl look, androgynous but sauced up a bit...I love silk, button up shirts with either a men's collar or a feminine bowtie collar — the sheerer the shirt the better. I'm a huge fan of skin tight leather pants and ELKIN short leather shorts. I love tiny blazers. Men's shoes. My tortoise Tom Ford seeing glasses. Cat eye sunglasses. And as much Jen Meyer jewelry as possible - it goes with everything.

KARA: I'm loving Miu Miu glitter and suede peep toe ankle boots. Feminine calf-length dresses. The perfect leather jacket (loving Rag and Bone's Letterman Jackets). Any Jennifer Meyer jewelry. Good skin. And bright lips (I'm feeling orange at the moment). This list will probably by different by tomorrow!

What influences your own personal styles, and do either of you have any style icons?

BRIT: Weather, mood, and art. As for style icons - all the ye-ye girls.

KARA: Mood. So many style icons and influences - Brit's one of mine.

Elkin is based in LA; what do you love most about LA fashion?

KARA: I'm a total Angelino. Everything about the city inspires me and I refuse to ever go anywhere else. I try to act like I'm never shocked by LA fashion, but I love that I am surprised everyday. Brit loves LA fashion because her twin sister,Angelyne, is a major LA icon, so she has a lot of pride.

Where would we most likely find you two on a Friday night?

BRIT: At our studio fighting over what fabrics and designs are going to make it into the final collection. Dinner with friends on the east side of town. Kara goes out a lot more than I do.

KARA: Working in our studio. Or drunk somewhere on the east side... me, not Brit.

What's LA's best-kept secret?

KARA: It's not a secret, but The Hollywood Bowl is one of my favorite places in LA. It's so magical, and every time I'm there I fall in love with LA all over again. Tavin is a very special LA secret... I don't even know if I should be telling you about it. So I won't.

BRIT: It's not a secret, but I think it's LA's best: Topanga Canyon.