It doesn’t take an extensive knowledge of the fashion world to recognize the name Zac Posen. Even if you’re not currently wearing the latest Posen duds, you’ve likely seen your favorite starlet flaunting his designs on red carpets or even in a movie–after all, in the film “Sex and the City,” the striking bridesmaids gowns worn by Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha at Carrie’s wedding were all Posen designs.

However, what is easy to forget is that Posen is still somewhat of the new kid in the world of Valentinos and de la Rentas. Only 29 years old, Posen launched his first collection in 2001.

In town to launch his new Z Spoke collection at Saks Fifth Avenue, the animated Posen sat down to talk fashion with JEZ. JEZEBEL: First, let’s talk about the name Z Spoke.

Zac Posen: It’s a play on the word ‘bespoke’ and made-to-order custom suiting. Then, of course, ‘Z’ for Zac.

JEZ: You’re known for high fashion; what made you decide to design this collection of more approachable fashion?

ZP: I don’t consider it to be more approachable fashion. The difference is that fashion lately has become ‘fashion-tainment.’ There are so many extreme designers now, and here we’ve simply made clothes that remind women of the value of cut. So we created a great T-shirt at the most accessible price possible, but it’s still high quality. And here I’ve designed for the first eight hours of the day, whereas, typically, I focus more on the other eight. It’s sort of for the hipster who grew up and is taking charge.

JEZ: The summertime heat in Atlanta can make stylish dressing a challenge. What do you suggest?

ZP: Knits. Day to night. You have to build them into your wardrobe. And I believe cleanliness is next to godliness, and there is a huge movement right now toward utilitarian. So an amazing cotton T-shirt can be a collector’s item for your grandchildren.

JEZ: How did growing up in New York City, the U.S. city for fashion, help shape you as a designer?

ZP: Well, it’s a multicultural city on the move. My mom was a merger and acquisitions lawyer, and my dad was an artist, so I had an interesting balance of the two worlds. Here you had Wall Street in the ’80s with my mom with the shoulder pads and the heels, and then our creative friends in SoHo whose whole lives were about self-expression and the creative process. And, of course, I walked past high-fashion houses on my way to school, so all of that came into my work.

JEZ: You’ve dressed some pretty fabulous women, but who would you like to dress that you haven’t yet?

ZP: Nancy Pelosi and Liza Minnelli.

JEZ: Wow, that’s two opposite ends of the spectrum!

ZP: They’re both loud and in charge!