NMdaily: The last time I saw you together, we spoke a lot about the masculine/feminine balance of Elizabeth and James. Do you still see the brand that way?

Ashley Olsen: We definitely still see that, and we’ve expanded it. We also now have a balance of casualwear with more designer-trend-based fashion. That’s kind of why we started Textile—to have this great casual element so we could do the high/low and the casual with the more fashion-forward pieces.

NM: The Fall collection is quite boho and romantic, but those leather pieces toughen it up.

AO: Yeah, and we also had a lot of suitings that were inspired by men’s wear.

NM: The brand has a great element of the unexpected. It’s eclectic and intriguing. What do you view as consistent about the collection?

Mary-Kate Olsen: It’s always very playful. And we stick to the integrity of the brand. Each season we  think about our girl, who’s wearing it. It’s definitely trend-based, but still has a life of its own.

NM: Do you see any design elements as your signatures?

AO: We’re definitely known for our suitings and also our kind of sexy dresses and blouses. So we constantly work with that formula of masculine and feminine elements. But especially for Fall we wanted to elevate every piece, whether with extra stitching or colored furs or crochet. We worked with a lot of different types of  textiles to create this more prestigious attitude and look.

NM: Do any of your contemporaries inspire you?

AO: Mary-Kate inspires me.

MKO: Yeah, I’d have to say Ashley too. We’re also inspired a lot by traveling.

NM: Elizabeth and James now has apparel, shoes, jewelry, eyewear and Textile. What’s next?

AO: Handbags! Hopefully by Fall 2012 it will be available at Neiman Marcus. But right now, I think Textile has been the most fun to explore, with our colored jeans, and really bringing in an element of California, beachwear, laidback weekend wear.