Hiss and Hearse

Danielle Garrabrants photographed by me, 2008.

Last year through mutual friends, I was lucky enough to meet San Francisco fashion designer Danielle Garrabrants. Since that glorious day, we have done two photo shoots together and both of have were completely successful. Danielle is a hilarious, creative force (the most random things come out of her mouth like, ” I need to sell some clothes. Or start dealing drugs.”) and I love her unique fashion sense. After the success of our most recent photo shoot, (Due Citta Fall 2009) I asked her some questions about fashion, her life, and why she loves what she does.

Name: Danielle Garrabrants & Cadi Storm (Danielle’s Due Citta NY counterpart)
Location: San Francisco & NYC
Occupation: Pattern Maker & Fashion stylist

Fashion design? How did it happen?
I was a frustrated youth (weren’t we all?). Frustrated with my naturally anorexic figure, which has since blossomed, I had to make things to fit me. I also had to make things that said “fuck you, I’m bad ass.” I think that’s why Cadi and I work so well together–we are both kind of Dadaist with fashion. Sometimes we want to make something pretty, sometimes times we want to make people think, and sometimes we just want to make a joke.

Where did the name “Due Citta” come from?
Cadi and I worked together in San Francisco for years. When she moved to New York, we decided to change our label to Due Citta, which means “Two Cities.”

What is your favorite thing to make and why?
I love making dresses. I feel so locked up at work, since I have to stick to patterns and follow rules. But if you give me a dressform and five yards of crappy fabric, I feel free. We like to go with the flow and do what works best, which is maybe not always exactly what we sketched.

Any good Due Citta stories?
All our shows are outrageous. I love having them, despite what they do to me. I get super nervous, everyone is calling me for directions, there are a million things to oversee, and all the while we still have to add finishing touches. I basically turn into a mega-bitch, and Cadi kinda runs shit. We get pretty wasted during our shows. I know that’s not professional. Maybe we should have been rock stars.

What are your favorite things besides making beautiful clothes?
I’m happy participating in any crafting or art related endeavors. Being outside, the beach, the park, or a road trip.

What is the plan for your line?
I’m planning on winning the lottery to fund our entrance into the market place. Until then, we will keep doing our shows and displaying our art. We have done eight shows in the Bay Area, so now I think It’s time to paint the east coast red.

I’m also working on a line of vintage-inspired pieces with my friend Courney Olsson, called “Det Sätt Vi”. We are using recycled materials like sheets, so every piece still maintains that one of a kind flare. See you at Indie Mart soon?

Links:
Due Citta Myspace

I met Amber under unusual circumstances. It was a hot Sacramento evening that I was sitting outside a coffee shop with my friend Francine when suddenly–just like a movie–a brand new red mustang being driven by a beautiful blonde woman screeches up to the curb. “Francine!” yells this bubbly blond, “I have not seen you in forever!” Francine then introduced me to Amber, and the three of us carried on a conversation that lasted well into the night.

This talking has since developed into a long standing friendship. Our paths have diverged–I moved to the Bay Area and Amber is now in LA pursuing her dream of acting (and doing it well!)–but we still get together for a gab fest about once a year or so. Recently, I was happy to talk to her about the show “Mad Men,” in which she plays a cat-eye glasses-wearing, sassy secretary, and also about her exciting life in general.

Name: Amber Kloss
Location: Los Angeles
Occupation: Actress, Freelance and Marketing Coordinator for Whole Foods, Zombie Slayer

Ten words that describe you:
Hyper, candy, cartoon, left hook, polka dots, surfer, old fashioned, modernist, consistent, pink.

How long have you been acting and why did you decide to be an actress?
When I was a little kid I was fascinated at what adults–mostly my parents–would laugh at on TV. I remember them watching the Johnny Carson show and Saturday Night Live a lot and hearing them laughing through all the episodes. I would try to tune in with them even though, as a kid, I didn’t totally understand the humor. So when I was about eight, I dressed up in my Dad’s clothes to appear like Johnny Carson, and then I set up a desk and everything.  I had my Sister be my ’special guest,’ and we would try to act out what we thought was funny. It was an attempt. Not long after that, my parents had my Sister and I involved in all the kids’ musical and shows, and throughout high school I did theater. I won speech competition awards in California for humorous interpretation, went on to major in theater in college, joined a comedy troupe, received a best actress award…and haven’t stopped since.

How did you hear about Mad Men? Tell me about your audition.
To be honest with you, I had no idea what the show was about. I don’t know much about TV anyway–I don’t watch TV, and I don’t own one. I know there’s some good shows out there, but I just don’t feel driven to watch TV, nor do I have the time. But the audition was pretty general. When they told us the premise of the show, that’s when I really knew I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve been working on the show since the very first day of taping about three years ago. We had no idea it would be such a hit!

What is your official role?
Office secretary. I do secretary things like, you know, type on my typewriter, file, make coffee, answer phones, wear tight pencil skirts and bullet bras. Tee hee!

Any favorite moments during filming?
CATERING! They serve me better food than I could ever eat in my real life. No joke!

Do you have a favorite character?
Of course I think all the lead actors/actresses in the show are amazing, but I don’t spend too much time around them. Here’s a fun fact, though: myself and the other secretaries on the show have all started this sort of show-within-a-show dynamic that’s between us all. We’ll pass around notes or leave notes at each other’s desk during the show or breaks and have this sort of underground drama going on we only know about. We share everything from office gossip to cookie recipes. Of course, it’s all made up and done in our characters style, but boy it’s fun!

Tell me about the hair/make-up!
Wow, hair, makeup, and wardrobe is quite an experience! The first thing we do when we arrive on set is hit the stylists’ trailer. Makeup is first, then they pluck our eyebrows, paint our nails red and file them, and then comes the ever long hair process. There’s a lot of backcombing, ratting and pain. Then for the last step, they have us stand outside the trailer and turn in circles slowly while they lacquer us in half a can of hair spray. No joke! If we’re shooting two days in a row, they tell us to go home and sleep on it, not to wash it. It’s something else!

Anything you can share about Season 3?
There will be lots more in-office smoking and cocktails! More in-office scandals and power plays!

Favorite thing about living in Los Angeles? Where do you see yourself in the future?
Oh my gosh, I’m so in love with Southern California, from the surfing to the food and all the late night comedy shows every night of the week! People think LA is an expensive place to live and go out, but there’s so much to do for free or cheap, it’s great! I love the crazy rich people in Beverly Hills to the thugs in Compton. There’s so much flavor and character every mile you drive! I have been involved as a ring girl with the Mexican masked luchador show ‘Lucha Vavoom’ for about 2 years and it’s a blast. I love being a part of those kinds of fringe arts that exist in LA.

Oh yikes, I truly get uncomfortable with the where do you see yourself in 10 years question. If you asked me this five years ago, my answer would be so different. I’ve done a lot of evolving in my last few years. But a generic answer might be that I’d love to be married and have a family. I also hope to be doing most of what I’m doing now, only more advanced, and having grown more. I hope to do more theater, and I love working in the natural foods/beauty industry, so I hope to be doing that still. I hope to be a better athlete, especially in surfing and running. I hope to have grown more, spiritually, and have more time to do volunteer work and be involved with my community, and do things like bake cookies for my child’s school fundraisers. And on a total materialistic note, I hope to be the owner of a bad ass classic muscle car one day, and I hope to acquire many clients for my zombie extermination business! I’m hoping the city of LA will recognize my business as a realistic and practical one so that they’ll award me a small business license. There’s a lot of zombies in this city and I think I’d have a good angle and market on that!

Amber on IMDB
The Official Mad Men website

At a lanky six feet and four inches, our spotlight subject stands as a beacon of style in post-industrial and traditionally self-effacing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Much like the city from which he hails, his humility and unassuming demeanor cloak a richness in character and a sophistication that murmur just beneath a steely surface. It was only after some cajoling that this gentleman bashfully agreed to step into the style spotlight so that we may examine his sartorial sensibilities.

Please, then, enjoy this little conversation with my good friend and fellow old soul, Corey Wittig, who is still reeling with excitement over the recent Penguins victory against the Detroit Red Wings in their Stanley Cup rematch!

Howdy, Corey! Can you please describe for us your style in your own words?
An amalgamation of 60/70s mod stuff and whatever else fits on my lanky self.

What kinds of things influence your style?
I suppose I’m influenced by practicality and climate most. I’m still pretty into mod/scooter wear, but not as much as when I was a lad of 20.

Do you have any style icons?
Very much so. Paul Weller, Paul Newman, The Apostle Paul (just kidding – I was on a streak of Pauls), Jimmy Dean, Cary Grant, anyone who can manage to look put together with little effort.

How/where do you find the things you wear?
Oh, gosh, thrift stores, online stores, and (for better or worse) the usual suspects of H&M and Urban Outfitters, though I try to be eclectic at those joints and not get anything that is too obviously from there–not because I’m too hip or exclusive, but for the same reason you don’t outfit a whole room with IKEA furniture. It’s hard to find good tall and skinny guy clothes on my budget, so I take what I can get.

Besides being a stylish male, tell us more about what you do. What are your passions, for example?
I am studying to become a librarian. I work in the teen department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. It’s a pretty swell job. I have a monthly music discussion group with my kids. I’m also working to restore a 1964 Li 125 Lambretta scooter. I just ordered a ukulele and plan on putzing about with that as the summer takes hold in Pittsburgh.

When did you begin paying close attention to your appearance or how you present yourself in public?
When I was six or seven? I moussed the shit out of my hair, trying for the perfect wave of bangs. I also
had a pretty swishy and fantastic pink and black tank top/shorts combo.

Are there any fashion/art/music/culture media you pay attention to or that influence you in any way?
Humph. Nothing really beyond flipping through magazines and consciously or unconsciously taking notes. It’s not intentional.

If you could make us a play list, what would be the first 5 bands you’d feel compelled to include in the mix?
Hmmm…Felt, The Kinks, Otis Redding, The Flamin’ Groovies, and the Smiths.

Do you have any final words or wisdom to share? Advice to other stylish men?
Hmm…Don’t try to force any sort of look on yourself – go with what makes you comfortable and what suits your build/face/whatever. I think it’s a nice step to growing up/becoming a man – just sort of feeling things out and getting comfortable with your own physical characteristics. After all, fashion or style, or whatever, should be more for yourself than anyone else.

“A piece of jewelry can be very personal. I like to think that our energy is absorbed into the things we wear everyday. You can layer a few necklaces and sort of create a little story about yourself.”
-Regina Pruss

Name: Regina Pruss
Location: Detroit, Michigan

I found the wonderful Etsy store chain chain chained from an ad in the latest issue of N.E.E.T. magazine. Immediately captured by the gorgeous oversized pendants, multiple chains, and imagery, I was curious about the designer behind these whimsical and stylish pieces.

Ten things that describe you:
1. traveler
2. alchemist
3 gambler
4. charmer
5 day dreamer
6. gypsy
7. optimist
8. clown
9. fancy dancer
10. tree lover

Why or how did you start designing jewelry?
I started making jewelry at the end of 2005. At around that time I was spending a lot of time behind a desk, designing corporate brochures, letterheads, business cards, you get the picture. Uninspired and bored, I wanted distraction, something to keep my hands busy. At the time I never imagined chain chain chained would grow into a business.

How do you come up with your designs? Do you have specific designs in mind when you start, or do they just happen?
There is no set formula for coming up with the designs. If I find something that inspires me I buy it, bring it home and let it lay around, age a while until the moment strikes. A piece of jewelry can be very personal. I like to think that our energy is absorbed into the things we wear everyday. You can layer a few necklaces and sort of create a little story about yourself. Most of the jewelry I wear isn’t expensive, but it holds a lot of meaning to me. An example would be a copper penny I got in Maine paired with a Native American ring I purchased somewhere out West.  Part of the process of creating, in anything I do, is the actual hunt. I could spend hours upon hours digging through an old wear-house full of trinkets, or drive all day from one second hand store to the next in search of a treasure.

I just purchased your lovely bow necklace, how did you come up with that design?
I like dainty things. Bows make me think of innocence, play, childhood, simplicity. However, I paired the bow with a bold chain to make it less precious.

Do you enjoy selling on Etsy?
Etsy is definitely a big part of my business. It’s given me the opportunity to meet a lot of artists and make great contacts along the way.

What are your future plans for your business?
To grow, of course. Getting my jewelry out to more stores! I love to collaborate with fashion designers and stylists, so hopefully more of that!

Thank you Regina! From the chain chain chained Etsy shop, I just purchased the lucky horseshoe necklace for Richard Wayne and the big bow necklace for myself.

links:
chainchainchained Etsy
chainchainchained blog
Flickr

“I just do what I like, perhaps that’s what others call personal style. Of course my personal view on things, aesthetics and life in general influences what I do – I would be a machine, if it didn’t.”
-Ren Rox

Name: REN ROX
Location: London, UK
Occupation: Photographer

Ren Rox is a London based photographer who captures gorgeous, surreal, often cinematic images. I came across her fashion and band photography via her Flickr photostream and was immediately hooked on her in-camera magic. In an age of digital, Ren Rox primarily shoots through various film cameras, capturing the youth and performance essence of both models and musicians. Also captivating are her self-portraits. Frequently adorning wigs, she takes images of her own model-like face with multiple exposures; pink, blue, and yellow colors; and blurring effects.

Ren lives the photographer’s dream. She travels the world, snapping magical images and seeing her results published in magazines like The Face, Dazed & Confused, and NME. Each time I see that her Flickr photostream has been updated, I am excited to see what she has done now. A recent favorite image of mine portrays the lead singer, Rosie, of London’s Ipso Facto.

Thanks to the lovely Ms. Rox for taking time out of her busy schedule to grant us this interview. Please be sure to view more of her breath-taking photography here.

Tell me a little bit about your background. Where are you from and how did you get to where you are today?
I was born in La Coruña, on the North West coast of Spain, but moved to London a while ago although since I was a kid I wanted to move to America (North, South…anywhere). London was also a great place much closer to home where, most importantly, I was allowed to stay indefinitely. One day I bought a camera and here I am now.

Do you feel that you have a specific photographic style? Does your personal style influence this?
I just do what I like, perhaps that’s what others call personal style. Of course my personal view on things, aesthetics and life in general influences what I do – I would be a machine, if it didn’t.

Your photos have a certain quality about them– some blur here, some double exposure there– that simulates intoxication for the viewer. Is this effect intended to, perhaps make the viewer feel he or she is participating in whatever is going on in the photo, e.g. a concert in a bar?
I don’t think much about what I’m doing and don’t really have a specific viewer in mind, apart from perhaps myself. It has more to do with intuition than anything else. I will of course have some ideas in mind about what I’d like to achieve, but it has more to do with moods, atmospheres and sometimes references to film, music, smell, memories, etc rather than an exact mental image of what I want. Planning too much hardly ever works for me, and all the blurs and double exposures only go to show that I like it better when things are a bit twisted.

You often use wigs when you are photographing yourself. Do you feel this allows you to explore different aspects of your personality?
It’s just fun to play around with props and different colors and cuts look better with certain clothing and photographic styles.

You are making me a mix CD, what bands would you put on it?
It depends on the mood. All CDs should have a mood. If I was to make one today then I’d choose some mid-tempo tunes with a stomping, primitive beat. I’d include the cover of “Run Through The Jungle” by The Gun Club, something by The Gories, some rare slow rockabilly, some dark jazz from the album “Sunset Mission” by Bohren & Der Club Of Gore, something trippy like “Teenage Lima Bean” by Laughing Soup Dish and Godfrey’s “Let’s Take A Trip”, maybe an upbeat classic such as “A Minha Menina” by Os Mutantes and something dreamy and soft like Alice Coltrane’s “Blue Nile” from “Ptah, The El Daoud” to put a nice end to it.

Favorite band to photograph? Band from the past you wish that you could have photographed?
Favorites? Always my own. Photographing bands is not exactly easy. There are just too many bands from the past I would have loved to shoot, from The Velvet Undergroud to The Stooges, MC5, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Cramps, T-Rex, Ike and Tina Turner, The Runaways, The Gun Club, Neil Young, Elvis, Dylan, Cash… to name but a few. There were so many artists with incredible charisma back then, unlike today.

You seem to be living the photographer’s dream. Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
Haha really? If I had to advice anyone who was just starting out I’d just say: “Keep shooting and be humble when you think you’ve outdone yourself. You can always do better”. There’s a great quote attributed to Henri Cartier-Bresson that says “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”

Ren Rox Portfolio
Ren Rox Flickr

I’ve only made about four or five friends in the Bay Area since moving here from Pittsburgh, PA a few months ago, and Jose Reyes is one of them.  I’d seen pictures of this early-twenty-something Hispanic guy prior to our meeting, and my first impression was that this guy must be a snotty little hipper-than-thou punk brat.  You know–one of those guys you love to hate, yet something inside of you secretly envies his youth, his full head of hair, his ability to be seemingly able to pull off any look with ease.

Then I met Jose and found that he is undeniably hip, undeniably youthful, and he undeniably possesses the kind of long, pin-straight, silken hair that women would kill for.   But it also turns out that Jose–or Kid Jeffrey Lee Congo Pierce-Powers, as I’ve affectionately nicknamed him–is a harmless pup with a good, warm heart beating in his chest.  We share a love of many bands and an affinity for turquoise jewelry.   I am happy then, that Jose–with idiosyncrasies in full effect–was willing to step into the Men’s Style Spotlight.

Describe your style in your own words.
The tribe.

What kinds of things influence your style? I’d say you have quite an LA glam/punk kind of look. Did the time you lived in LA have a big effect on you?
Haha. The LA glam scene is kinda of a joke, but thanks.  I can’t say LA influenced me a lot because a lot of the kids are into hair-metal and always hangout at the Rainbow or Whiskey.  It made me not want to be like them, so I guess it didn’t have any affect on my style.  As for music, I’d say a lot has attributed to my style, from bands like the Gun Club, the Joneses, the Dogs D’Amour, Hanoi Rocks, to more simple tastes like Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Little Richard.

Do you have any style icons?
Jeffrey Lee Pierce [of the Gun Club] and, ummm, Andy McCoy [of Hanoi Rocks].

There is often a social stigma placed on highly stylish men by ‘normal’ society that we must be weak, effeminate, or even homosexual. Have you run into this problem having long hair and dressing the way you do? If so, how have you dealt with or responded to this?
Hahaha, yeah many dudes yelling “fag!” I just ignore it until it gets serious, then I’m knockin’ heads. Just because I got style, have long hair, and wear jewelry don’t mean I can’t defend myself.

How do you find the things you wear? Do you shop mostly second-hand, for example?
Thrift stores, vintage stores, friends, friends of friends. Sometimes stealing came in to play, but that’s more how I was a few years ago.

Besides looking cool, what else is it that you do? Do you have any sort of fashion–or otherwise artistic–aspirations? You might have a promising future in a Gun Club cover band, ya know.
Playing music would be nice. [My past usage of] heroin blocked a lot of me wanting to do anything positive, so I’d say these days I would pick up the bass and jam with some cool cats. I’d say you and me have a good chance of starting up a Gun Club-sounding band. Or maybe I could so some modeling, but I doubt I’m good lookin’/skinny enough.

Speaking of Gun Club, can you make a list of your top five or so favorite bands?
The Gun Club
Sick Pleasure
Dogs D’Amour
The Joneses
198x

Do you pay attention to any fashion/style media to collect ideas?
Not really.

When did you start paying close attention to how you look? Has this current version of Jose been a long, slow evolution process, or have you gone through your share of fly-by-night fashion phases?
Maybe when I was, like, 11, I got into thug style. Haha. But yeah, that’s like the only over-night change. At 14, I was into punk and hardcore. At 16, I got into more old-school rock-n-roll, and I just slowly progressed, never making an over-night change. I hate that poser kids in LA will go clubbing all ghetto scene, then the next week they’re metal Motley Crue wannabes.

Do you have any final words, advice, philosophy, etc. you’d like to share?
What’s that smell? Smells like punk.

…And I imagine that smells a little something like B.O., hairspray, and spite all wrapped up and conveniently packaged in a studded leather jacket. Thanks, for the interview, Jose!

I first saw the work of the adorable London based fashion designer, LouLou, via graphic design fashion blogger Nubbytwiglet. Ever since that magical electronic introduction, I have been hooked on her creations. What girl wouldn’t enjoy giant bows, frilly knickers, and lace collars? Everything is a dream and I am most honored to present to you, dear reader, the fashion and thoughts of LouLou Androlia.

“…It’s Brat Pack Demi Moore meets Buffy nerd meets Angela Chase meets Sailorette meets Lolita.  But really I just like to dress up!”
-Loulou Androlia

Name: Loulou Androlia
Location: London, England
Occupation: Fashion Designer

Is your real name LouLou? Were you named after someone? Where did “LouLou” come from?
My birth name is Louise but only a few people call me that.  Most people nickname me as Lou or Loulou, and Loulou is what I prefer to be called, easy as that!

When did you start making and selling clothes? Why?
Loulou Loves You! has been open for business since July 2007. I’d never made and sold anything prior to that. It basically came as a natural progression to the end of the classes I was taking. I loved what I had created and so, instinctively, I wanted to see if anyone else did too.

Did you study fashion in school?
I’d always envisioned my life as a painter because that’s what I had in mind by studying Fine Art at college. Things change as they do! I never finished my degree in Fine Art because I became ill for a number of years (with Fibromyalgia). During and after my recovery I felt like my time was becoming more precious and I desperately wanted to learn some ’skills’. So I took classes in Pattern Cutting and Dressmaking which, combined with my growing knicker obsession, ended up prompting me to move on to a City and Guilds in Lingerie. So I got here bit by bit in a roundabout way, different to most, and I still feel like there is so much that I could learn. I used to worry about having not taken an ‘official’ fashion degree, but now I only see that as a positive thing that inspires me to study more in the future.

Tell me ten of your favorite anythings!
Animals
Greek Mythology
Edamame beans
Nebulae
Bows
My goddaughter
Middle of the night text messages
Stationary
Sexual innuendos
VIPTV.NET

What music are you listening to?
Right now I’m listening to my iTunes on shuffle and it’s playing me the best playlist I didn’t even realize I had!
Generally I listen to a lot of music that I grew up listening to with my Dad, who strictly will only listen to 50’s and 60’s music. Some of my favourites are Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, and The Shangri La’s. Recently on repeat, I’ve been playing Kate Bush, Bauhaus, Sleeping States, and The Magnetic Fields. I’m pretty lucky, too, because most of my friends are super music talents and I always have new bands to go and check out.

Do you ever find yourself in an artistic slump? What helps you get out of it?
I suffer from the terribly serious diseases of Ennui and Procrastination quite often! I find the best way to get out of an artistic slump is to just leave what you are doing and do something else, preferably something that might inspire you, or a good walk to get some air. I get stuck often because my studio is in my house and I just need to be out of here for an hour. This is hard when you’re on a deadline of course. I have tried to get myself into the habit of setting myself a list of what I’m going to do during the day, a realistic one I mean or otherwise you get overwhelmed and do absolutely nothing. Once you’ve achieved some things you feel great and then less guilty about your slump. Sometimes, though, you just have to ride it out and hope your good ideas come rushing back.

How would you describe your personal style?
I love to dress for an occasion, and accessorizing is my favourite, so often I think of that part first and work around it. Always bows–giant bows!–lace, sequins, plaid, collars and even colour coordinating things like my glasses or my notebook to my outfit.

When I was ill I used to call my look ‘Fibromyalgia chic’, but now I would say its Brat Pack Demi Moore meets Buffy nerd meets Angela Chase meets Sailorette meets Lolita.  But really I just like to dress up! I do wear jeans, but it’s not that often.  If I’m being casual, it’s because I’m wearing a hoody with a lace dress. I also know what suits me and am very unlikely to wear something just because it’s ‘in’. At the moment I either completely colour and pattern clash or dress completely black and white. I’m actually in the process of clearing my wardrobe and starting over, I have 70 dresses but I only wear about 5.  I want 70 that I wear!

Congratulations on the Vogue mention! Has this affected your business? Are you a one woman show? Is this your full time job?
Thank you! The bit in VOGUE was really awesome.  I’m so excited that they like me, and I’ve had a lot of support from one of the fashion editors there. It’s definitely one dream ticked off the list. I got a great boom in the knickers business for Christmas because of it, which meant I was happily sewing away right up until the last minute.

Yes, I am currently a one woman show.  It’s too much for me to do everything, but I can’t really afford to bring other people in yet, although I’m going to take on an intern this year which I’m excited about! I do have a great friend helping me with press, too, as that is one thing that I find very difficult to do because I’m not a PR person at all.

This is my full-time job, but I also squeeze in one day a week at a Couture wear latex boutique which has helped me learn a lot about running a small business and makes for some interesting stories too. I love it there and find that being out of my studio for a day makes me more likely to get on with my work when I’m here.

Any advice to other ladies pursuing the dream of owning their own business?
Definitely just go for it, but make sure you start out with a good business plan. It’s so important to have an idea of what you want to do and where you see yourself going. Also to consider everything that you can think of and all the ifs and buts because problems always crop up out of nowhere. Don’t be afraid to follow you dreams because everyone has to start off somewhere. Ask every person you know for their input and ideas because it’s a lot easier when you have the support of your friends and family.

Favorite Loulou item?
Currently it’s the Lola Collar, I wear mine all the time. I’ve just made a new version with some limited run vintage lace that I’ll hopefully put up soon. It’s totally swoon worthy.

Other online shops you adore?
fredflare
helplessromantic
magic pony
pixie market

What is next for Loulou?
I’m currently working on an huge collaboration with another designer. I can’t talk about it just yet, but I can say that I think it’s going to make my year really exciting, and my stomach is in a whirlwind with how excited I am to be involved.

Other than that, I’ve just just brought out a few new knicker styles for my Winter 09 line and working on some designs in my head that I will bring out when I have some more time.

I just have a really good feeling about this year. I think one good thing that can come out of the recession is that people’s creativity will be sparked.

Any advice, tips, love to share in general?
Hummmm…Don’t believe that you can’t make changes in your life if you want to, don’t ignore your gut instincts, ice cream will make you feel better, listen to what other people have to say because you can always learn something, make folders on your laptop filled with anything and everything you find and love because they are great to come back to when you need an inspiration boost, everyone needs a pet so go get that kitten. Oh, and say yes to everything in 2009!

Shop LouLou Loves You!
LouLou Loves You!
LouLou’s blog

It’s not too frequently that I find a fellow gentleman whose style I can appreciate. Often times it seems men dress themselves too trendily if they’re interested in fashion, neglecting everlasting classic looks for more fleeting modern designs. Or, on the other side of the coin, men disregard style completely, viewing clothing simply as a necessity.

But I found a confederate in the Wardrobe Remix pool on Flickr. William Hart, a 24 year old graphic design student and musician living in Costa Mesa, CA, shows a maturity beyond his years in his personal style. While many fashion-conscious males his age are bowing down at the striped gym sock feet of Dov Charney, William is filling his closet predominantly with vintage garments. This fashion-forward gentleman gives a nod to the past in classics such as a pork-pie hat or winklepicker shoes, while his skinny black jeans and self-designed t-shirts lend a modern sharpness to his look.

William recently took the time to to answer a few of my questions regarding his personal style and inspirations:

Can you, in your own words, describe your look?
Anything black and usually tight, often with pops of vintage color.

Does anything inspire your look?
I’ve been obsessed with music my entire life and my favorite musicians influence my style the most. Other than music, I find inspiration in art: Louise Nevelson’s sculptures, films: Wild At Heart, culture: Haitian voodoo.

Who, if anyone, are your style icons?
Rowland S. Howard, Jim Reed, Humphrey Bogart, Nick Cave, Alain Delon, Jean Cocteau, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Toshiro Mifune, David Lynch, Serge Gainsbourg, Jeffery Lee Pierce, Jean-Paul Belmondo…With some of my icons I like their attitude, how they present themselves, more than just the clothes they wear. Their personality makes their style cool; the clothes don’t make them.

At what point in your life did you start paying close attention to how you present yourself?
Really young…I was into a lot of punk & industrial music when I was a pre-teen and teen which had a pretty big influence on how I dressed at the time. Though I don’t really dress like that anymore (vinyl pants, 20 hole boots, etc.) it has left an impression on me.

Where do you often find your clothes?
It’s 80% thrift and then 20% new from places like Urban Outfitters, Old Navy (really great basics), etc.

Do you read or watch any style-related media to keep up on fashion trends?
I read, L’Uomo Vogue, V-Man, Arena Homme +, 10 Men, Vogue Paris Hommes International, British GQ Style, An Other Man, Anthem, and I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting. I try to take the idea of the style I like from the magazines and make it my own.

Do you have any helpful hints for the stylish male who is frustrated with his limited choices?
Stay open-minded and try on things that you would never think to wear–you might end up liking ‘em.

Amen, William. And thanks again for the interview (and for the use of your photos).

You can see more of what William wears at his blog, What Willam Wears.

“You have to look at a lot of other photography to understand what your style is and why.”
-Julia Galdo

Name: Julia Anne Galdo
Location: San Francisco, Upper Haight
Occupation: Photographer

Oh such pretty pretty pictures! I found San Francisco photographer Julia Galdo’s gorgeous work through Flickr.  She makes magic happen with beautiful models, surreal locations, vintage fashions, and two very good eyes.

Ten things (anything) that describe you?
Tall, colorful, manic, gregarious, musical, stylish, shop-aholic, brunette, healthy, family-oriented.

What do you shoot with?
Main three are Hasselblad 501cm, Canon 5D (mark I), Rolleiflex twin lens.

How would you describe your personal style?
I’m a print freak.  Patterns and prints make up my entire wardrobe.  That flows into my house, which is all mis-matched glasses and mirrors and more patterns and prints. Which spills into my work….as I like to put things together that shouldn’t necessarily go together.  I think it’s a better viewing experience that way.

Favorite photographer and why?
Guy Bourdin.  That man was doing it before anyone was doing it.  I copy him 30 years later…and so do a lot of big-time contemporary photographers.  He’s the founder of the most beautiful fashion photography style.

How did you start working for FORD?
I did a shoot for 7×7 in September 2007.  It was my first fashion spread..and I didn’t know how to get anything done.  So, I just foolishly walked into ford with my book and my website and asked them if they had any girls they’d lend me.  It’s been a symbiotic relationship ever since.

How do you come up with shoot ideas?
Looking at other work.  Plain and simple.  You have to look at a lot of other photography to understand what your style is and why.  The second you start asking those questions, your ideas become a lot clearer.

Cody + Julia + Cookies = A Great Saturday Night by Lou O’Bedlam

Tell me more about your relationship with your best friend Cody.  Do you always work together?
Cody and I met at the San Francisco Art Institute.  He was getting his Master’s in photography.  I latched onto him immediately because I respected his work and wanted to be hanging out with people in school that made me push myself.  We started shooting together within a month of knowing one another.  At first, it was just for fun.  But after this one great shoot together in 2006, we just decided we should become a team.  It’s super simple thinking on our parts….two cameras are better than one.  The more you shoot, the better your chances are at getting the right shot…so we just increase our chances.  Also, we fill in each other’s gaps….like I style all of our shoots, he and I watch each other’s back.  It’s a great support.  And we continue to learn from each other.

Do you have specific hair and make-up people that you work with?
Yes, I fell in love with a man named David Tolls this year. He’s repped by Ford, and he is also my neighbor.

I love the set you just posted from the Sutro Baths.  Can you explain to us your process?  How did you find the model, choose the location, clothes, etc?
I actually found a photograph someone had taken at the Sutro Baths of a swimmer in the same spot as one of my photographs.  I was totally struck by it because of the location…but I had this negative reaction to it, too.  Like…why did he color it this way? And why is the person looking so plain?  I thought it was such an epic location, and I immediately envisioned gowns blowing in the wind.  So, I went over there and scouted the spot out…and thought it’d be nice to photograph a model from far away and then more close up, because I’ve always loved showing people in environments and what they look like in them.  I knew Ford wanted to test out this girl, Robin, and a designer simultaneously asked me to photograph her dresses.  So it just all fell into place.

Was that all shot with natural light?  What time of the day?  The light on the back of her hair is just beautiful.  Did you use anything to light the front?
I mostly shoot with natural light.  I just never really liked strobes, because I want to show people the way I see things.  I have a super hard time reproducing natural light.  I shot Robin at 6am….and it was foggy, so the light was just gorgeous.

What music do you listen to?
Whatever my dad and brother send my way.  I just got the new Animal Collective album…and I am in love.  I also have been listening to Department of Eagles….such a super album.

Favorite websites?
Flickr…I don’t really surf the web all too often.

Any advice for aspiring photographers?
Grow thick skin.  Be ready to be poor…if you really love it, you will invest everything into it.  Always look at work.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?  Do you have a specific goal?
I’d love to be photographing fashion ad campaigns for Miu Miu in Tokyo with Cody and then swimming in the Bahamas during our off days.  Is that I realistic goal?  I’m not really sure.

Julia Galdo Portfolio
Julia Galdo Flickr

When Mandie Bee of Heartbreaker Fashion agreed to do an interview for DTK, I was more than ecstatic!  She is the designer behind some of my favorite fashions, including my go-to photo shoot dress, the Super Spy Dress.  Not only does Mandie find time to run Heartbreaker Fashion with her mom, but she indulges in her musical passions as well, singing in her indie band, The Automatic Year.  Read on and be inspired by the fashionable and lovely, Mandie Bee.

“I do not associate myself with any one social scene.”

Name: Mandie Bee
Occupation: Business Owner/ Designer, Heartbreaker Fashion
Location: The adorable and hip Downtown of Fullerton, California

What is the history behind Heartbreaker fashion?
Through high school and the start of my college years, I was very much into vintage fashion- new reproduction and true vintage. If I ever came across a great find, I would often copy the basic design idea or even buy it to copy the pattern so that I could make my own rendition of that dress.
During my sophomore year in college in 2004, I would make myself a custom dress, wear it out on the weekend and then sell it on Ebay. Occasionally, my friends would take orders of the dress right off my body! I was able to sell each dress for about $50-75 on average, which for a poor college student was fantastic.

My mother, Teresa, is actually the one with the real background in fashion. She went to FIDM in 1974 and has worked in the fashion industry for more than 25 years. She has designed for lines carried in high end department stores, designed and manufactured her own clothing line in the mid 80’s, and has taught fashion at a number of trade schools in the area as well. As a skilled pattern maker and dress maker, she knows what’s up. My mother saw what I was up to and suggested that we try to turn it into an actual business.

Over the years, we have found that my greatest skill is in marketing and promotion. My mother takes care of making the patterns and the production end of it all. Together we design and cover all other aspects of the business. We call ourselves a well-oiled machine. I need her just as much as she needs me in order for Heartbreaker to be a success.

Favorite Heartbreaker pieces?
My favorite Heartbreaker pieces are: The Super Spy Dress, The Betty Bolero, The Trixie Top, and The Sabrina Dress.  All of our other pieces are great, too- I love the fit- but I wear these particular items out the most.

What inspires you?
My favorite thing to do is peruse old Vogue fashion magazines from the 1940’s-1960’s. We also flip through current fashion magazines to get ideas. We want to be able to sell a product that’s retro-looking enough for the rockabilly girl, but also hip enough for the modern girl.

Is it your full time job?
Yes it is! and I love it. My mom and I goof around a lot. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss since I was a kid, so I’m living my dream.

Tell me about your love of music and your band, the automatic year- It seems the sounds you create musically are very different than the mid century inspired fashions on Heartbreaker-

I am into all sorts of music. I grew up with the oldies station, in high school I got into jamaican ska and jazz standards, in college I fell in love with 60’s soul. I had a group of friends growing up that were and very much still are into the indie music scene and while I got hints of it here and there, I didn’t really involve myself until I joined my current band.

I’m a singer and I really don’t have much preference of what TYPE of music I’m involved with as long as I’m doing it. I’ve sung with a reggae band, I’ve jumped in on jazz jam sessions, I was in the gospel choir in high school, and I was the music director for our community theatre group for one production.

Writing songs and playing with my indie band (The Automatic Year) is my favorite thing to do. It’s all I ever want to do. And while I love my job, I really do look at Heartbreaker as my job, and music as my passion. I do not associate myself with any one social scene.

What are you listening to right now?
I’m listening to Ella Fitzgerald- Live at Newport. I love Ella.

Ten favorite things (anything)
In no real particular order:

1. Music
2. Pear Martinis from Table Ten in Fullerton
3. Astrology
4. Yogurt Land
5. Fondue
6. Riding bikes
7. My new forest green Peacoat
8. Shopping in Antique Stores and Vintage Clothing stores
9. Dancing
10. Playing with my band

Any favorite fashion/shoe/retail websites or blogs?
I have a few staples in what I like to call my “Beauty-is-your-duty” regimine.

E.C. Star is my favorite clothing line. Very hip and unique. Wonderful quality, too! Made in the USA.

Lush makes soaps and other cosmetics from natural ingredients. Here’s to the green movement!

Benefit Cosmetics. This is the only line of make up that will not make my skin break out. I LOVE all of their products and I swear by it. The packaging is adorable, too.

I am also a fan of Kaboodle.com- this helps me with my internet shopping.

Any advice to others pursuing the dream of having their own fashion line?
DREAM BIG! But take baby steps getting there and be realistic with your spending- you will not blow up over night!

Heartbreaker started in my parents back patio. We worked out of their home for 3 years before moving into our current work space. We started with 2 designs and a $50 investment- Now we have over 50 different patterns for dresses, tops and skirts.

I had to keep my other job for a long time- I could not expect Heartbreaker to take care of me, but we realized how much potential it had. My mother was not in a position to worry about money. Fashion and being a business owner is her passion, so this is ideal for her. They say that if you can make it past your first year without losing any money, you’re doing it right.

You can see all of her beautiful fashions at heartbreakerfashion.com (my current fashion crush is the Molly Dress) and listen to her band, The Automatic Year here!