After graduating from the Parsons School of Design in 2003, Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock decided to combine their thesis projects and plan a show for their friends and family. By the time their collection was finished, their small exhibit had turned into a full on Fashion Week runway show. Vena Cava is a merge of vintage and modern, where classic silhouettes and hand-drawn prints thrive, and age is overlooked in favor of mentality. Inspiration is drawn from art history, film, found objects, and admired designers like Jean Muir, Paul Poret, and Claire McCardell. Since their first collection, the line has enjoyed several awards and two nominations for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.