Monday, November 7, 2011
elegantly.disheveled - Interview with Los Angeles Stylist Jazzie Bella
Me - Tell us a little about your background
Jazzie - Born and raised in LA with platinum... not silver- but platinum spoon in my mouth... I came from a family of Ivy League Business men (and women), Doctors, and Lawyers... and here I was turning down Yale because I wanted to go to Otis Parsons to study Fashion Design.... it was a tough pill for my Dad to swallow... and one I had to agree to the terms of with my decision... but I follow my heart- and to be happy in life, do what you love, and if you're good at what you love- you're successful... and the rest falls perfectly into place....
Me - How did you initially get into the fashion industry and become a stylist
Jazzie - I started interning at 15 for Rock & Republic... they taught me so much and I am forever grateful to Andrew Rendell, Andrea Bernholtz, Michael Ball, Henry Duarte, Jessica Pastor and Constanze Han with shaping and molding my career and helping me reach my potential as the designer, artist and "stylist" I am today... to be honest... I fell into it completely by accident when a Japanese denim buyer was walking into our office snapped by photo and there I was in Elle Japan's L.A style issue two months later... it was cray cray
Me - Was becoming a fashion stylist, one of your aspirations in life
Jazzie - never... being a designer- that is my ultimate dream- to see my line ...the.PERFECT... going down the runway to the music I've had in my head for years... and seeing my dream become a reality which will finally be happening next year! so thankful for my UK Support from the amazing team at Fresh Fashion Faces- especially my honey bee... Milly Bee :)
Me - What are some of the issues that you face while working in the industry?
Jazzie - my age, my looks, people under estimating my work- or thinking I can or cannot pull off the work that I envision... but at the same time it's a catch 22 because i get off... I literally fucking get OFF on proving people wrong.... it feels so good.
Me - Is there anything you wish you would've know prior to becoming a stylist
Jazzie - styling wise.. no it's a learn on the go- but if you're looking to be a designer... a real artist be prepared to have REALLY tough skin, learn to let things roll off your back- and HAVE BALLS... because you have to have the balls to really stand behind believing in your vision and telling others what is THE next big thing before they can even wrap their brain around it...
Me - Is there any advice you can share to those aspiring to become a stylist
Jazzie - work your ass off.... pick up dog's shit, our coffee, have things done before we even ask... and the cream rises to the top...
Me - Being that we have finally entered into the Fall Season, what are the must have items
Jazzie - FINALLY the rest of the world has!!! argh it's been so annoying because as a designer I work a year in advance and as a stylist we're a season ahead so.... here are the must haves:
1. Beaded fringe kimono style coats
(Specifically burnout velvet beaded fringe kimono style coats... lust)
2. Wide brim fedoras with plenty of panache.
(Think of Gucci's fall collection)- stick feathers pins etc. into the trim around the head to make it your own)
3. The New Izzue Studded Dr. Marten's (they're AMAZING)
4. Gypsy is the new Hippie
5. Silver is the new Gold
6. Goat Fur coats and caplettes
(Dying for Ann Demeulemeester's pieces... and Diane Von Furstenburg's Goat Fur Coats currently)
Me - What are your future plans within the next five years?
Jazzie - build my fashion empire- and introduce my company, my brand and my concept of the.factory (a modern day interpretation of what Andy Warhol's factory)
Launch:
...the.PERFECT...
(My clothing line)
launching..the.PERFECT... 's line of tees and hoodies through Fresh Fashion faces for TopShop and a the shoe line which each pair is more amazing then the next... being the bad ass little gothic hippie fashion monster I am- but with an Oscar, (I'm working on costume design for the film War Path... and really taking the costume designs to an Avant garde editorial level..), and telling people my favorite answer when they ask the exhausting, treacle question most "tourists" (that's what born and raised LA natives refer to "the transplants as": "so- what do you do for a living um... Jazzie Bella?" and I always sit back and smile, and say "what I fucking love"....
ps- I loathe Marc Jacobs
love Ann Demeulemeester- she's a true artist I love her artistic stand point and creative process... Gareth Pugh has really been on mark the previous two seasons for me. I really want Ricardo Tisci to return to what he brought Givenchy to when he first took over with the collection of the cross necklaces juxtaposed perfectly and piled on top of each other in his first debut collection as their designer... I want him to bring back that level of excitement back to Givenchy's revival. and... my line... my amazing dark, gothic hippie, elegantly disheveled, pretty little train wreck, modern day pennylane... everything that describes and encompass me, my brand, my standpoint as an artist.. and to debut it for people to take it or leave it.. my line is for the lions.. not the lambs...
"Bleed my heart, feed my art" She is truly an icon in the making.
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