On the fourth floor of a shaky Chinatown building, next to an SAT prep center, there’s a small, plain office. Inside, you’ll find a colorful rack of shirts and a pile of vintage Chanel handbags from the Karl Lagerfeld era. This space belongs to Liana Satenstein, a former Vogue editor and founder of Neverworns, and it’s also the unofficial headquarters for her new project, Oksana Worns.
During her time at Vogue, Satenstein wrote about all things vintage—covering everything from must-have pieces from Tom Ford’s Gucci days to Nicolas Ghesquière’s iconic Balenciaga era. Since then, she’s brought her witty voice and humor to Instagram and launched Neverworns. What started as a closet-cleaning project during her Vogue years has grown into hosting closet clean-out sales for well-known New York figures (like Chloë Sevigny) and live sales streamed on her Instagram and Substack, similar to QVC.
Now, she’s channeling that entrepreneurial spirit into something bigger, bolder, and more tangible: creating the perfect long-sleeve essential. “I’ve always struggled to find things I like, and so many of the best pieces I own are vintage,” she says. “I rarely buy new—and if I do, you’ll definitely hear about it.”
The idea for her top came from an old vintage shirt she accidentally ruined in the dryer. “I was devastated because I completely wrecked a precious shirt I wore all the time,” she says. Her attempt to replace that treasured piece is a cotton version with a similar neckline, but with a clasp that can be adjusted from a traditional keyhole to a sexy, almost V-neck style.
The brand’s name comes from Satenstein’s Ukrainian heritage. During her senior year of high school, she visited her grandmother’s home country and met several people named Oksana. A traditional Ukrainian name for women, it means welcoming and hospitable—a quality Satenstein hopes reflects her brand’s ethos. “I’ve met so many Oksanas in my life, and they’re always incredible,” she says. “Whenever I need to get down to business and just do it, I tell myself I am Oksana, and I stop hesitating.”
Shot by photographer Mayan Toledano in New York and Paris, the launch campaign features industry insiders like stylist Éline Hoyois and publicist Ibtissame Bellehouane. Inspired by Satenstein’s love for all things erotic and film-related, the creative direction for the brand and campaign was shaped by her favorite movie, Unfaithful. “There’s a scene where Diane Lane meets Olivier Martinez at a café in SoHo. He slips his hand under her pants, and she squirms, and you can see how the shirt moves with her body,” she says. She hopes the Oksana shirt gives wearers that same sensual feeling.
Oksana officially launches on October 14 and, in typical Satenstein fashion, will be available through a live sale on her social media channels. There will also be a live event for a select group of industry insiders. For everyone else, a website will launch that evening, so keep an eye on Satenstein’s socials for the link. The shirt will come in two colors: the classic “Midnight at Brighton Beach” black and an “Engorged” orange. “It’s a juicy, young color, and I love how orange looks with brown,” says Satenstein. (The colors are perfect timing, just before the cooler months begin.)
With Satenstein’s knack for selling out products—whether new or old—and with more pieces in the works, this latest venture is one to watch.Oledano/ Courtesy of: Oksana Worns
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs How a Laundry Disaster Led Liana Satenstein to Create the Perfect TShirt
1 Who is Liana Satenstein
Shes a fashion writer and editor who founded the clothing brand Dysfunctional and later created her own line of Tshirts
2 What was the laundry disaster that started it all
A load of laundry ruined her favorite vintage Tshirts they shrank faded or got damaged It pushed her to design a Tshirt that could survive real life and still fit well
3 Why did a ruined Tshirt lead to starting a brand
Because she couldnt find a replacement she loved she decided to make one herself a tee with the right fit fabric and durability
4 What makes her Tshirt perfect
A flattering relaxed fit soft but sturdy cotton a shape that holds up after washing and a slightly vintage feel
5 Whats the difference between her Tshirt and a cheap basic tee
Better fabric better construction and a fit thats been tested and adjusted not just massproduced
6 What does perfect fit actually mean
It means the tee drapes well hits at the right length doesnt cling or box out and looks good on different body types
7 Why do Tshirts shrink or fade in the wash
Cheaper cotton can shrink and dyes can bleed or fade especially with hot water and high heat drying
8 How should I wash a good Tshirt so it lasts
Cold water gentle cycle turn it inside out and air dry or tumble on low
9 Is expensive cotton worth it
Often yes longerstaple cotton feels softer pills less and holds its shape longer
10 What is longstaple cotton
Cotton with longer fibers which makes fabric smoother stronger and less likely to pill
11 Whats the benefit of a heavierweight Tshirt
It drapes better isnt seethrough and keeps its shape after many washes
12 Can a Tshirt be both soft and durable
Yes the right cotton and knitting balance comfort with strength
13 What are common problems with basic Tshirts
Shrinking fading stretching at the neck