In perfect timing with our new favorite music video that released last week- Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye’s “Run This Town- we bring you a Confessional with the designer of those mind blowing pyramid shades worn by Ri-Ri herself, Kerin Rose of A-Morir. Kerin dishes about her long work hours, how an intestinal disease put her on the track to bedazzle-mania, her outrageous style, and her hopes of future collaborations. Brace yourself for some wacky visuals!

Hey Kerin! Can you please tell us a little about yourself, your design background, if any, and how you got started with A-Morir?
Hi! I’m Kerin Rose, HBIC of the accessory line “A-Morir”. I am an Amazonian redheaded jewbroad who was raised on the north shore of Long Island. I moved to Manhattan in 2001 to attend NYU and have never left. I have no formal design training; but I did take piano for a decade, so my fingers are very nimble, which helps when you’re dealing with crystals that are 5-7 millimeter in diameter. I’ve been an acrylic painter since I was 5, concentrated on pop culture history in college, and have, in less than a year, turned myself into a professional bedazzler and business owner. This might just be the sloppiest interview intro ever; which is okay, because my accessories NEVER are. I got started with A-Morir, concretely, less than a year ago. By accident.

Where did your concept come from and where do you get your inspiration?
There was no concept when the line started because I didn’t think I was starting anything. I make what I make because I’m really good at the ostentatious, extravagant, and different. My first pair of eyewear happened because I bought all these crystals to bedazzle a new iphone and I didn’t get one… and then I broke my sunglasses… got a new pair, put two and two together, and then people kind of lost their minds. I’m not saying that to be arrogant, I’m saying that in a matter-of-fact-attacked-by-pedestrians-on-the-street-every-day kind of a way. So I figured I’d give it a shot and made a small collection of 4 styles of eyewear, and a handful of headpieces and necklaces. Now that I have something, the concept has just become “Oh shit. People really liked that last piece, now I have to make something else.” I get a lot of inspiration from my friends, whose suggestions I value. Or I see a piece of material and see how far I can take it out of context.

What was your first job and did it impact your career choices?
When I started NYU I simultaneously began doing college marketing at record labels. Marketing, for me, is very easy. My career choices for a long time were based on what was ‘easy’, because I was actively sick with a chronic intestinal disease (ulcerative colitis). When you’re sick every day for many years you do what you can to get by, which, for me, was marketing. Last year I finally went into remission, freaked out, and left my job with no idea what I was going to do with my life. I gave myself a year to celebrate my health and figure my shit out. And, well, here I am.

Your pieces are all made by hand, and your rhinestone and “bedazzled” pieces are incredibly detailed. How long does it take to make a pair of sunnies?
It depends on the piece and the humidity level. Adhesives drying times vary depending on the environmental barometric pressure, so this summer has been painful for my production. I don’t like to talk about how long my pieces take, but I’m hand applying 400-600 crystals that are 7 millimeter in diameter to eyewear frames. And that shit looks made-in-china-factory perfect.

Do you have a favorite piece?
I love all my babies equally. Wait, no, I think my converse hi-tops might be my favorite, because they’re physically mesmerizing. Even if you hate glitter you can’t turn away. Come to think of it, we could probably solve the Middle East crisis by using them as a hypnotic device.

You’ve gotten a lot of celebrity shine recently- the new Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye video for “Run This Town” shows Rihanna rocking a pair of your shades covered in black rubber pyramids. Cassie twitpic’d a flick of herself in your “Love/Hate” sunnies, etc. What’s it like to have a celebs’ seal of approval on your ideas/designs?
The celebrity shine is incredibly flattering, mainly because they have access to everything. People give them really nice shit all the time. And my pieces get purchased. I mean, Rihanna could probably get anyone to do anything for her, but she’s wearing my custom shades in the new “Run This Town” video. Ultimately, it’s like getting picked first for kickball. Who doesn’t want to get picked first for kickball?

As for my shamelessly self-promoting celeb roster? Katy Perry performed in my glasses on American Idol and at performances in NYC and London, Jazmine Sullivan has rocked the shit out of my Love/Hate and Rockstar shades in “Champion” with Ace Hood & Rick Ross, Dawn from Danity Kane, Mariah Carey, Erin Lucas from MTV’s The City, up and coming R&B talents Livvi Franc & Shontelle Layne … and I’ve been working with Princess Superstar for a while now; the custom “futuristic nature” headphones I’ve made for her will break hearts. I think that’s it for now.

Who would you love to see rockin’ A-Morir?
Dita Von Teese; not for the obvious reasons, but because she bedazzles her own merkins. She gets it. I’d love to see Joan Jett in a pair of Black Hearts (she has a record label of the same name). I’d like to think A-Morir has no boundaries. I want my shit on Richard Simmons AND Wayne. I want to see A-Morir on the biggest divas and the grimiest thugs… but I can’t give away my whole wishlist…

Oh shit… Can we get my pieces on Miss Piggy?

Every time I bump into you, your outfit is always a showstopper, definitely one that stands out in a crowd. How would you describe your style?
Haha, why thank you! I don’t know HOW to describe my style. I’ve been described as “peg bundy and ziggy stardust had a baby” and I’d say that’s pretty accurate. I like to give a bit of everything. I can give you rockabilly Monday, gorgeous ladies of wrestling Tuesday, cholita Wednesday, 77 punk Thursday, Miami coke wife Friday, drag queen Saturday, and bollywood goth Sunday. But I haven’t worn jeans in over a year. So I guess the only constant in my wardrobe is lycra spandex. And, you know, glitter. The one thing I WILL say is that I don’t spend more than 20 minutes on “getting ready”.

What was your style like in high school? Have you always been about embellishment?
Ooh, girl. I wasn’t always so sparkly, but I’ve always given a bit of a show. It’s always been fun for me to playfully challenge societal norms with what I wear and what’s acceptable. I’d go to school in a crinoline skirt with 4’’ pumps and a sleek black shirt. I wore blue lipstick with jeans and a tailored white shirt. I owned 2 winter jackets, in neon yellow and neon pink. I went to prom in a fuscia silk shantung tuxedo with neon orange satin lining and had my date on a leash. I got a lot of shit for my appearance until I graduated, but was also told by a friend’s very classy mother that I had the most refined style of anyone she knew. A lot of interesting color palates, prints, garment reappropation. It was all very natural though; whenever I had to buy new clothes I just gravitated towards the more obscure. In fact, when I was 18 and was interning at a brokerage firm, I went to banana republic with my mom and had a panic attack because I didn’t know what to do with starched shirts. (I’ve since gotten better…)

What’s a typical day like for you?
Each day is different; the only constant is that I start and end my day at my worktable. I’m at it at 9am every day and usually leave it sometime around 3 AM. My days usually involve trips to the garment district to buy supplies, reluctant trips to the post office, incessant calls to my mom about stupid shit, list making, espresso purchases, and learning how to play my favorite R&B jams on the acoustic guitar. And of course, lots and lots of one sided conversations with my crystals. I nurture my embellishments like they’re houseplants. There’s usually a “go to the gym” in there, but I’ve been on a fluke of a hiatus.

What’s your motto?
I’ve got a few in my basket – they apply for both life and work:
“Simply the thing that I am shall make me live.” (Shakespeare)
“Specialization is for insects.” (Heinlin [abridged])
“I expect to pass through this life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show, or any goodness I can do to any fellow being let me do it now and not defer or neglect it as I will not pass this way again.” (Penn)
Most importantly: GO BIG OR GO HOME.

What’s your most beloved possession/ greatest extravagance?
Beloved possessions? Oh man. Can I give you a short list?
My most beloved possessions include: mom’s original Beatles records, my grandmother’s costume jewelry, my 2nd edition of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, my limited edition signed OBEY print of Joey Ramone, the Hebrew Blondie concert poster my sister ripped off a wall in Tel Aviv for me, my collection of chamsas, the signed poster of Coco that Ice-T gave me, my dad’s uzi clip, my “kerin.rose” nameplate in Hebrew, my Tiffany “K” padlock necklace.

As for greatest extravagance, I’d say the Alexander Mcqueen blue diamond printed leggings I bought this week at his sample sale. They retail for $900 and cost me $199, which is the most I’ve ever spent on a single thing I can wear. And it was on lycra/spandex clothing at that. They’re incredibly beautiful, and I’ll wear them forever, but that’s fucking ridiculous.

What can we look forward to with A-Morir?
MORE AWESOME SHIT! I’m beginning to experiment with completely covering lenses with fabrics and trims you can still see through, shoulder pieces, geometric head pieces, spikes, fringe, custom headphones, pearls, secrets, secrets, and secrets. Oh, and I want to be asked to do collaborations. This is me being the girl asking the boy to ask her to go to prom. I want to be your prom date. Get at me; you know you wanna.

Shop at: www.a-morir.com

-Christine Mayrina

We’re kind of in love with all things that stir up memories of our days sitting around Ouija boards and lit candles, and we’re really excited that we can take our dalliances into the occult out onto the street with the clothing line, Witches.

Originally created by the duo Gabby Applegate and Lauren Alexander, there was a swift change in the structure of the company, and Witches is now under the sole direction of Gabby, just 18 years old. We think the line is impressive as it is, but even more so for such a young, precocious designer. The line boasts of intricate pieces (including floor-length velvet cloaks, ruffled silk blouses, and lace cocktail dresses) that will excite the Avant-garde set and Wiccan sophisticates alike.

We recently got a chance to chat with Gabby about the line, and what her bewitching world is like…

Tell us about the Witches. What are your inspirations/concepts behind the label? Why did you start Witches?
We (Lauren and I) started Witches because we wanted to create a line that would fill the missing parts of our closets. We combined our different tastes and came up with a line that any girl could throw on and look edgy, but still classy. Its hard to find that median these days.

How long does it take to make a more intricate piece?
To create an intricate piece from conception to sample can either take hours or weeks. It depends on what it is and how well I am able to communicate what I am picturing.

Why’d you decide to go predominantly black? Can we expect color in the future?
Yes, for Fall, everything is black. For Spring I will start to use taupe colors and white. In the future, there will be lighter colors, especially for Spring. There will also be a lot more lace and washed silks, rather than heavy velvets and wools.

What were you like in high school? Were you totally a Goth?
My high school life was definitely not normal. No I was not a “goth”. I was actually a platinum blonde and a beach girl. I had lived in San Diego. When I moved up to LA, I was able to grow as a person and started to take more of an interest in fashion and also in the “goth” scene of LA. That is where this line comes from.

Did you ever really get into the occult? Like with Ouija boards, spells, séances, and the like?
No, I have never really been that interested in the Occult. I have been reading about it more, but the name of the line is a nickname for Lauren and I so that is how it started.

What do you do for fun? Favorite hangouts in LA?
I am going to school, so designing for me is a great escape & fun. Favorite hangouts, hmm… In LA, I would have to say Bardot, Hwood, the Playhouse, and Big Wangs at the moment. In NYC, I love La Esquina, PDT, Ella, and of course Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park.

Do you wear your own pieces out and about? If so, where?
My favorite piece is the sweater dress with the lace slip. I wear that out a lot. I always wear the leggings, they’re so easy to wear day or night and either heels or flats they’re always edgy and appropriate.

Describe a perfect “Witches” night…
There are two different “Witches” perfect nights for me. One is staying at home with my boyfriend and watching Deadliest Catch. The other, would be going for sushi and then a night out on the town in New York.

For inquiries, please contact: David at Dietch PR. david{at}dietchpr(dot)net
_____

ON A SIDE NOTE:
Obesity and Speed is having a summer sale on dresses and more. 50% off!
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Real recognize real. Oscar Sanchez proves cooler than the infamous “1992″ parties he’s been throwing and promoting for the past couple of years. In recent days he’s been workin’ it out on stage as a dancer for the buzzed about recording artist, Maluca (Mad Decent). I got the chance to catch up with Oscar and ask him a few questions, listen in and brace yourself to be schooled…

Hi Oscar! You’re probably most well known for your now infamous “1992” parties with Vashtie, can you tell us a little bit about how you got started as a crowd motivator?
Crowd motivator? Haha, I just made that up cause I do so many different things. People get discouraged often and I just want to give people positive advice, especially the ones I see and work with on a daily basis.

How did you and Vashtie meet?
I met Vashtie through her ex-boyfriend, Marco. He and I always linked up at b-boy events, parties etc.

What have been the best experiences from doing such a popular party? What are your most memorable nights?
The best would be so many people that attended on the strength that they loved the idea and just wanted to party. Also, picking up the New York Times Sunday Styles and seeing the 1992 article. I thought it was going to be a blurb, it ended up being a full page article in color! Shout out to Ben Detrick. That’s history in the making. Thirty years from now I’m going to search “1992 the party” on nytimes.com and read about the party.

Memorable? I would have to say every party we did for 1992. The anniversaries, the flyers, the DJs, the vogue show, the bboys, the 1992 cake, the gifts bags. Vashtie and I put everything into every party. Its just crazy fun!

You also do graphic design for Hood By Air, how did you get involved with the brand?
I’ve known Raul for quite a while now, and he always mentioned his clothing line. I never really knew what it was about until he showed me a lookbook. And I asked him, “Who the f*ck did this, can I fix it?”, haha. Then he asked if I wanted to work for Hood By Air. I met Shayne and the rest was history. They are really young and come from the hood, and they are doing really great things. Raul is 23, Shayne is 21, they fund their own collections/projects etc and have had the craziest fashion shows all on their own. That’s no joke. They have no financial backing, they built the empire all on their own, thats mega props. And their pieces are works of art. So many fashion houses (I will refrain from mentioning names) are straight up biting the aesthetic of Hood By Air. I just wanted to add to their monstrosity, they’re scaring a lot of people (in a good way!) Haha :)

As a jack of all trades, what was your first job and how has that impacted your career choices?
When I interned at Mass Appeal back in 1999 they were working out of their living-room in Brooklyn. They hustled out every issue and schooled so many on graffiti and the culture that revolved around it. They made things happen, period.

Also I’ve been working in hospitals, the board of education, and community centers for almost 10 years. I’m grateful I’ve had the energy to provide my services to those that need it. And at the same time I’ve been creative and I’ve partied like a beast. Haha. It worked out really well!

We hear that you were a break dancer, do you still dance?
I really started to see people dance to house music when I was 10 years old so I was more in tune to wanting to learn house. But back in ‘95-’96 I would go to a bunch of b-boy events and I always wanted to rock the floor so I got my basic floor rock and top rock down packed, just in case. Of course I still dance, it’s my daily excercise and I want to show people thats it’s still ok to dance and mess up your sneakers.

Described as a lover of everything ’90s, who are some of your favorite designers and trends from that era?
I would have to say the Ralph Lauren and Polo era in NYC. If you paid attention, the whole look
was based off of the wealthy, or as Lauren would have put it “the American Dream”. It was all based off of fishing, skiiing, yachting, etc. Take that whole look and have inner city youths wear, boost, kill for it, that have never been skiiing, fishing, etc. I don’t know… it was a double edged sword.

At that time we would have never been a part of that “American Dream” and probably never will, so we stole it. It was a crazy era. Just surround that with the music of that time, the lifestyle, the club scene, the actual participation of every borough in NYC- it was the craziest rush ever! Today nothing is attached to Polo, just the “American Dream”. I was a big fan of Benetton, but Polo by Ralph Lauren definitely put me on to colour schemes, different style of fabrics and blow-up graphics. If you see how I dress today, it still has the twist from those days.

Vintage or reinterpreted 90s?
Vintage all the way.

If not New York then where?
I’m not sure, maybe Dominican Republic but nothing feels more like home than the Big Apple.

What accessory can you not live without?
Probably glasses. I really like backpacks and long bill hats. Skippies make my feet feel fine.

Aside from ”1992”, where are we most likely to find you on any given night?
I have a lot of respect and love for DJs and party promoters, most of whom are my friends that I support. I mean, they keep me dancing. I support many events downtown, Santos on Friday nights, the Smiths party on Sundays, Club Vortex etc, etc. Shoutout to all the DJs and party promoters in NYC.

What else can we expect from you in the future?
I’ve been trying to write a movie script, it’s autobigraphical/fiction stories. I started to put some of it on twitter.com/osclops. Check it out. I don’t condone any acts of violence, it’s all based off of growing up in east New York, Brooklyn and New York City.

I’ve recently been back-up dancing for Maluca, check her out on myspace.com/malucamala. We did the Fader Fort Show at SXSW and are about to do a European tour. We performed on the same stage as Theophilous London, Bun B, Kanye West and the Good Music family, I was kind of gassed. Haha. I got a couple of events lined up, I’ll definitely keep you posted.

I’m also starting a house dance class called “FUNdamentals of House Steppin’”. I’m putting up a blog really soon. You know- a little about how people got onto to cazals, the eyewear game, bowties. Bringing back swag, the usual ;) Got a ton of stuff lined up.

What are the top 5 songs on your play list right now?
Hmm, I listen to about 10,000 tracks a week (laughing.) Maybe I’m exaggerating but I love music. I’ll list 10.
1. OPENING by Phillip Glass
2. TRYING GIRLS OUT by The Persuaders
3. TIRED by Adele
4. MY GIRLS by Animal Collective
5. ARE YOU READY by Beatnuts feat. Grand Puba
6. IN THE MUSICAL by Bjork/Selmasongs
7. OPEN YOUR EYES by Bobby Caldwell
8. BAD NEWS by Kanye West
9. NORTH ON SOUTH ST. by Herp Alpert
10. QUE SE MUERAN DE ENVIDIA by Joe Veras
I could seriously list 50+ songs.

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
I have to apologize, I did take the cookie. I understand that we are inspired from what was, but I wanted to take from what motivates me, to think BIG, and be as creative as possible and reinterpret it through my eyes. Hopefully I will make things which will inspire the next generation to think outside the box and continue to school generations after.

One love.
oscar

Check Oscar at www.myspace.com/oscarwild or follow him on twitter… and we can’t forget about the 1992 parties!

- Katy Bagli

Well, well my fellow Worshipers, I have a new favorite for you! Menswear line Third Floor New York is absolutely amazing, leaving me with severe peen-envy. Though luckily, some of the pieces are unisex enough, I might just be able to get away with wearing them! I recently got the chance to catch up with one half of the design duo, Cedric Haughton to ask him for a Confessional…

Hi Cedric, can you tell us about how you and Anthony Hendrickson(co-designer) met and where the idea for Third Floor New York came from?
Anthony and I met through our mutual friend Jerome Lamaar Fortez on the campus of the Fashion Institute of Technology back in 2003. We clicked instantly. Anthony is like a brother to me. Third Floor New York started as a side project in 2007. Now, we are growing into an apparel and accessories brand. Third Floor New York evokes an industrial feeling, like the third floor of an abandoned loft space. It also can be an individual’s mental level they are operating on any given day. We want everyone to get into Third Floor New York.

What is your design background, where did you get your start?
I’m a graduate of the Menswear Design Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. While attending FIT, I was blessed with the opportunity to intern for designers such as Richard Singh, Indigo People, and Rachel Comey. After graduation, I was a Casual Wovens Design Assistant at Banana Republic for a year and a half before focusing primarily on Third Floor New York.

The attention to detail in your recent collection, between the tailoring and cut-outs does not go unnoticed; how long do some of the more complex pieces take to make?
The timeline varies depending on the amount of detail that goes into a particular piece. We work with a pretty good technical and production team on some of the more intricate designs. They get our brand aesthetic and are able to execute our vision.

Your Fall/Winter ‘09 collection has a very futuristic vibe, what was your inspiration?
Fall/Winter 2009 explored three major themes. Movies such as “The Lost Boys” and “Elephant” served as a backdrop during our conceptualization phase this season. We were inspired by abstract armory, disobedience within a private academic environment, and recurring issues of mental entrapment. Everyone is feeling the woes of the recession. There is a strong need to protect ourselves, family, and finances. We researched past and futuristic armory with a slight focus on samurai warriors. Our Fall/Winter 2009 pieces serve as protection from the recession and various forces of nature. This season, the Third Floor New York man finds himself in a private academic environment, but reading, writing, and arithmetic is not his sole focus. He is training for a special mission. Mental entrapment is a theme that continues from our debut Fall/Winter 2008 collection and it will always be a theme of Third Floor New York.

Clearly avant-garde and somewhat androgynous, what kind of statement would you say your clothes make?
We tend to lean towards an avant-garde aesthetic, but it’s important for us to maintain contemporary relevance at the same time. We want longevity. We make clothes that compliment or bring life to men and that women secretly want.

If you could collaborate with any artist or brand, who would it be?
This season we collaborated with Sade Ologundudu of Luminary NYC to do our logo necklace and pin. In the future, we would like to collaborate and bring life to a defunct shoe brand.

Any recording artists on your wish list to provide the runway soundtrack for a Third Floor New York show? Why?
A live performance from up and coming lyricist legend Tigga Calore would be ideal for a Third Floor New York runway presentation. She turns it! Check out www.myspace.com/tigacalore and get in!

How would you describe your personal style?
My style is geek-chic glam-boi on an intergalactic voyage. A lot of classic futurism teases. Sometimes I feel like Denise Huxtable’s best friend. The one she goes shopping with and that can fit all of her clothes.

What pieces of your wardrobe will be in heavy rotation for you this summer?
For daytime I’m keeping it very easy breezy. White button up wovens and plain white tees, paired with cross hatch dark denim skinnies, snakeskin boat shoes by You Must Create, Reverse pocket bag shorts by Third Floor New York. Lanyard and Luminary NYC neckpieces will accent the look. For evening, you’ll just have to see me out on the scene.

If you had one superpower what would it be?
I would love the power to fly. I want to be able to see the world at my leisure and kiss the sky everyday. I’m a dreamer.

For more information visit www.thirdfloornewyork.com.

- Katy Bagli

“[This] pic is of Cortni Tuck and myself. Cortni used to write under the Worship Worthy umbrella on Riottt.com. She was also featured on the Hail Mary list a while ago. She is my best friend and I thought it would be appropriate to honor her in some sort of way because she is my best friend. She passed away late last year and I know she would be so proud of all my accomplishments.” - Cedric Haughton

Jamaica born artist Jovi Rockwell is the next Caribbean sensation coming to the states to deliver an upbeat attitude that’s sure to have you winding your hips and nodding your head to the riddim. Signed to Epic Records this 25 year old sings, “you’re gonna need me darling, and it wont be long” in her verse with Mr Vegas, and she means it! Already working with some heavy hitting music producers, read what she had to say when we caught up with her…

Hey Jovi, we were recently put on to your music and we’re definitely diggin’ your vibe. With such an eclectic sound, how would you classify it?
Thank you, my sound is definitely different it’s hard for me to classify. Still I would say my music gives a “feel good” vibe and sometimes inspirational, my music could be classified as “hard soul” music. Lol!

How did you get your start & how long have you been making music?
My dad was a singer so ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to do music.

I noticed you go back and forth between the states and Jamaica, where do you call home these days and what’s the biggest difference between the two?
Jamaica will always be my home, that’s where I was born and raised but, if I had to have a home away from home it would be Miami because it has that Caribbean vibe. The difference is Florida is more fast pace.

You say your motivation is Rebel. Love. Goddess, can you explain that a little?
If I could describe myself in 3 words those would be them. Rebel- I never want to be a part of the crowd, and I’ll sing about that. Love- I write songs about relationships or I’ll do one touching on a more conscious tip which represents the Goddess. That’s the basis of how I express myself through music, so I call myself The “Rebel Love Goddess”.

Who are some musical influences that have helped shape your sound?
Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morrisette, Bob Marley. There are too many to name them all.

We heard you’ve been working with real heavy hitters in the industry including Akon, Mr Vegas, Ne-Yo, Sly & Robbie and Diplo just to name a few, who did you have the most fun working with?
They were all fun to work with. It would be hard to say who is more fun, they all bring individual vibes that are really cool and extremely creative.

It is important for any artist breaking onto the scene to establish their “image,” what direction do you envision yours going in?
I think Beyonce is a great role model and someone any young artist would love to duplicate, she’s sexy and extremely talented, that’s a path I would love to take and at the same time be original.

If you could pick one designer whose runway soundtrack you could provide, who would it be?
Probably “D Squared”. Their shows are always something spectacular and the clothes are funky, fresh and sexy! 

If you could pick any leading man for your next video, who would it be?
Shia Labeouf 

Sneakers or Stilettos?
Dont get me wrong, I love a great pair of heels but, I love comfort more.. so im gonna go for the sneakers.

When does the debut album drop?
I’m still working on the album so a date is not finalized yet, however it should be later this year.

Visit Jovi on MySpace.
Cop a free download of Jovi Rockwell’s, “Tonight” on thefader.com.

We’re picking the winners of our Siwy Denim giveaway this week. We hope you all had the chance to enter yourselves to win an awesome pair of cutoff shorts and jeans! We figured we’d nudge our friend Michelle to do a quickie interview with us. Luckily, she complied even with her hectic schedule, or we might have had to coax her with a dozen Butterlane cupcakes…

I understand you’re thrifty from way back, do you prefer vintage or new?
I like to mix vintage with new. It’s a delicate balance that needs to occur to avoid looking like you just jumped out of a time capsule.

What is the first brand of jeans you remember purchasing?
I remember saving up all of my birthday money and heading to Harvard Square where there was an Urban Outfitters outlet. I bought super wide leg Diesel jeans. I was 13.

Can you tell us a little about how you started designing Siwy? Were you experienced in designing denim?
At the time there were not too many denim lines that combined classic style, while complementing current trends and fit well all at once. I worked for a few designers and always found myself at various wash houses around the country. It was so fascinating to me that something as basic as indigo denim can yield such depth, beauty and range within minutes. It’s my passion and I’m always amazed at the personal relationship people have with their jeans.

Your jeans are described as both feminine and masculine, do you ever find it difficult to blend the two?
It’s a personal reflection of me I suppose. I appreciate the beauty and femininity of women but like the practicality and ease of masculine details. I don’t want to feel like I am wearing a costume or that all eyes are on me.

Which fashion era most inspires you in your daily life and designs?
I don’t have a specific time period as far as literal fashion style goes, but I do love the 70’s, where it’s apparent travel to other countries became easier. I like the mash up of ethnic influences that seem to bring the world together and open minds. It’s very chic to use cultural references in fashion.

You’ve talked about your design process starting with adding patches and other embellishments to vintage jeans, is that still your approach?
That was when I was younger and had a burning desire to create my own style with the limited materials I had. It was a starting point to view denim as more than just a pair of blue jeans, but something that had the ability to be more fashionable. If I add any embellishments to my current collection, it is always nodding to the idea that it’s a found piece of clothing. I want it to appear that the person picked up a pair of jeans at a thrift store or flea market that someone in the 70’s hand embroidered or added rainbow jewels to make something unique for themselves.

What is currently your favorite Siwy Denim fit and why?
I just spent a month in LA and it was all about the Madeleine shorts the whole time. The exposed pocket bags make me feel just a little more covered up and look like I ripped the legs off myself. I could get away with wearing them with just bare legs during the day and then slip on some tights at night, when it got cooler. Now that I am here in NYC, I choose to be in denial and still try to get away with wearing them in the cooler climates. They are very natural. They are just so easy and breezy.

I read an article somewhere that said people are attracted to one another through rhythm, what type of music inspires you?
I think some people would say I am dramatic with my emotions, but I think I’m just naturally extremely sensitive. My senses get overloaded more than others I think, so I listen to music that can help me express my deepest and darkest feelings and extreme feelings of happiness. That being said I love anything from Adele to EBTG to Jay-Z.

On your myspace page you list cupcakes as one of your interests, as a cupcake lover myself I must ask, “Which cup takes the cake?”
I love “Butterlane” in the East Village, and then of course in Los Angeles, “Sprinkles“.

For more information on Michelle Siwy and her designs stop by her website www.siwydenim.com.

-Katy Bagli

At the ripe age of 16 with 30 bucks in his pocket, Scott Campbell got his first tattoo: a tribal lizard on his leg– “the cheesiest most clichéd Daytona Spring break tattoo you can get,” he admits. But we’ll forgive him for the adolescent lapse in judgment, since the artist who used to tattoo dirty punk rock friends out of his own apartment went on to start one of Brooklyn’s most coveted tattoo shops, Saved, where he’s inked some of Hollywood and the fashion industry’s biggest names, including Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Helena Christensen, Lily Cole, and the late Heath Ledger and his family. And for a kid who started out studying biochemistry in college and “couldn’t get laid to save [his] life,” Scott now serves as one of today’s most in-demand tattoo authorities, with a five-year wait list just to get a slot on his chair. While busy with his newly-opened Manhattan outpost, Scott’s also got his hands full pursuing another great love– fine art, debuting his solo show “Make it Rain” in Miami from April 11th - May 9th. To get the inside word on getting tatted and finding Jesus in a tortilla, we spoke with the ink-master Scott Campbell himself:

How do you decide what to get as a first tattoo?
People will say, “I’d never get tattooed because I can’t pick something I’ll like forever”—but you get to a point where you get everything you like instead of pinpointing it to one thing.

What’s the freshest ink on your own body?
My most recent tattoo was done by a friend of mine, Justin Theroux, an actor/writer. We were doing a motorcycle trip across Europe, hanging out in France for a while, and met this guy who had these amazing stories about how his grandfather and great grandfather fought with the French resistance. We just pulled over on the side of the road and commandeered the local tattoo shop, and I did a French resistance cross on him and he did one on me. Like a souvenir from the trip. It’s more the experience and the person who’s giving it to me– the sentiment behind it– more than the actual aesthetic.

Do you feel like there are types of tattoos that are dated and others that are timeless?
One of my first tattoos was a purple chrome scarab on my arm. You couldn’t come up with something that was more 1992. You look at it and think ‘ninth grade.’ But I kind of like that. It doesn’t always have to be new and crispy. One of the amazing things about it is that it has such history. You can look at people and see their chronology.

Just like in any other artistic genres like fashion and painting, do you see tattoo trends evolve out of different time periods?
I’ve traveled a lot, and I’ve seen trends come and go because of time, but also because of location. People in Europe generally have a different taste than people in Asia or the US, but the motivation behind getting tattooed is the same everywhere. People will get their boyfriend or girlfriend’s name tattooed on them, but each place has it’s own preference of how it’s executed. Europeans will get a lot of black and grey– soft and really flowing. In Japan, they prefer designs that are very hard, crisp, and colorful.

Do you ever get invested in someone else’s tattoo while you were working on it?
Tattooing can be pretty exhausting emotionally. You have your hands on someone and there is an intense exchange. After you tattoo someone a few times, you’re friends. You can’t help but sympathize or connect with them. I connect emotionally with a lot of my clients, which can be good and bad. There are people I met that I’ll love until the day I die, whereas there are other people that I poured my heart into and realize after that they’re dicks.

The fashion world seems to have adopted you as their tattoo artist of choice. What are some of the memorable pieces you’ve done for fashion figures?
I am embraced by the fashion world because art and fashion have kind of blurred. Marc Jacobs is probably the biggest name I tattoo regularly, and he’s been a huge inspiration. I’ve learned a lot about art through him. Dash Snow is one of the first people I met when I moved to New York, and in getting set up here, he opened my eyes into how big New York can be. I’ve tattooed half that kid’s body. I did a huge “Beast of Burden” written across his shoulder and an eagle carrying off a little girl on his forearm. I’ve done Olivier Zahm, of Purple Magazine, and all the European guys. I did a series with a bunch of famous characters wearing 3-D glasses. Marc Jacobs got Elizabeth Taylor, and Jake Sumner got Frankenstein.

Do you have any favorite designers?
Margiela’s pretty awesome. He made my favorite boots in the world. I love Marc’s stuff. And if I do actually break out of my studio and go shopping, I’ll go to Opening Ceremony.

What are some of the other projects you’ve been working on?
I’ve been focusing on fine arts stuff. It’s one of those things you always daydream about– being able to make a living making art– so I’ve been pouring all my energy into that right now. I’ve done a bunch of different cut-out dollar bill sculptures and large-scale watercolor paintings. All the paintings have a certain tattoo-sensibility, not in that they look like tattoos, but have a similar narrative quality. They definitely draw from tattoo culture, but in no means are tattoos drawn onto paper. I’ve been doing this project where I cook pictures into tortillas—super realistic portraits of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. It’s like the ‘miracle phenomenon’—with someone finding the face of Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich. I’m also featuring photographs of the 3D glasses series of the tattoos that I did.

And these pieces all come together under the title for your show “Make it Rain.” What’s the meaning behind that?
I’ve always liked the term “rainmaker” even before Lil’ Wayne got a hold of it. It’s one of those things that my grandfather and father would use. I like it as a term of someone who makes things happen, who doesn’t just sit around– someone who has ambition and a sense of purpose. There’s that merit to the phrase, and there is a nod to pop culture.

For more info on Scott and his work, visit www.savedtattoo.com

-Leann Peterson

Hey Laurel & Christopher! Please tell us a little about how you met and how you decided to start your brand, “I Love Factory”?
Christopher: We met through mutual friends. Laurel had just moved up to New York from Texas and she knew a few Texans that I had been hanging out with. We have always had a mutual love for fashion and costumes. When we first started hanging out we would spend a few hours before going out making Laurel custom headgear to match her outfit for the night. Immediately we started to get a lot of people complimenting the head pieces and we decided that it was a great idea to grow the idea into a brand.

What was the first piece you came up with?
Christopher: At first we were experimenting with a lot of different techniques, trying to find the right looks for the collection. The first piece that we created was really far off from what the first collection ‘Parklife Society’ eventually evolved into. It was made out of some burlap we discovered in the way back of a very chaotic fabric store that we painted red and yellow (love that combination!), a vintage patch with a creepy crow on it, and a few black feathers.

How do your talents combine, are you each responsible for specific steps or is the process a joint effort?
Laurel: We like to keep it as a collaborative effort. One of our best attributes as a design team is that we pick up on each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

What are the main components that go into each headpiece?
Christopher: First and most importantly is the foundation, which is what makes each piece strong, flexible and resilient. Once that is completed we build the design around it. Be it silk chiffon, satin, leather or flowers.

In the first collection ‘Parklife Society’ our color palette was almost all creams and blacks. We both wanted to emulate a very classic, chic style. Using fabrics such as satin, silk chiffon, taffeta and leather. And then embellished with feathers, veiling vintage buttons, antique costume jewels and pearls, and cameos. In the second collection we wanted things be a little more fun so we used splashes of color and metallics. We used satin, but this time played with fabrics like tulle, silk flowers and lots of lace to give the pieces a lighter air. We embellished a few of the pieces with Swarovski crystals and hand-sewn copper sequins. Laurel and I loved all the lace we were seeing on the runway so we wanted to incorporate more of that.

We always want to keep the same aesthetic so that when you see an I Love Factory piece you know it’s I Love Factory. And with each collection add or take away certain elements as we see fit to make sure it’s always new and always fresh. Our goal is to always make the collections timeless and season-less so that it will be a piece of art that you not only own forever but also wear forever.

How many styles do you work on that never make it into the collection?
Christopher: We do so many custom pieces and those are never part of the collections. They usually stay at the showroom as inspiration for future custom pieces, or for press or as part of Laurel’s personal collection.

Millinery was big in NYC amongst tenement residents during the late 1800’s, given the current state of the economy do you think we’ll see a resurgence in hand crafted goods?
Christopher: Millinery is something that should be done by hand and made specific. I think right now more than ever people are craving accessories and clothing that is made by hand. They can appreciate the time and effort that goes into making each piece. There is so much clutter out there and if you are going to spend money on something it should be exceptional quality, evoke emotion and be timeless.

We can see your pieces worn by ladies at the historic Kentucky Derby, do events like these inspire specific designs?
Christopher: Not specifically, but that may be since we have never attended one. We do admire a big event like the Kentucky Derby where people have such freedom of costume.

If your work was the lovechild of two people who would they be?
Laurel: I think it would be all those French new–wave movies but if John Waters were directing them instead, and Alice and Wonderland and crew were styling.

Christopher: I am going to say Marie Antoinette and F. Scott Fitzgerald while writing the Great Gatsby.

Who are your favorite artists and designers?
Christopher: In terms of menswear my favs are Hedi Slimane and Miuccia Prada. My favorite musician and muse is ivana xl. She is really creating her own style.

Laurel: Rei Kawakubo and Christian Lacroix.

What’s currently your favorite hangout?
Laurel: The factory and the deli that accepts credit cards.

Visit Christopher and Laurel’s collections online: www.ilovefactorybk.com

-by Katy Bagli

Gram is a Stockholm based brand fashioned by designers Alexis Holm and Anna Stenvi in April 2005. I touched base with Alexis Holm for an interview. He gave us an inside scoop on Gram, Swedish Fashion, and important life lessons!

Hi Alexis, I’ve heard great things about you and have been watching your sneaker brand Gram for a minute. Tell us a little about yourself?
Well, my mothers side is full of artists and painters, and my dad’s an engineer. I’m basically a mix of both, but most importantly someone that can’t stand the 9 to 5 life sentence. Currently 30 odd years, bordering 31, attended a few apparel and design courses, did the shoe retail business for 3 years and worked as a sourcer/buyer for a Swedish fashion brand for 2,5. After that decided that it was time to do something a little different, and here I am.

Swedish style is quite unique from say, American or french fashion. I’m sure the cold weather definitely has a part to play in Swedish fashion. Would you say Gram sneakers is Swedish style? What is Swedish style?
You’re right about the weather. Swedish design is definitely a reflection of our climate. It’s generally a little more “serious” and functionalistic than the countries you compare it to. I’d say Sweden is well known for making good quality high-fashion at an affordable price.

What influences you as a designer?
I could say nothing, but that wouldn’t really make sense. I’m not the type of designer that makes tons of mood boards and tears apart old issues of Vogue looking for the next collection. Instead I just work along my own path of preference and do whatever I haven’t done yet, hoping that people will find it all new and exciting.

How would you describe your work?
5% design. The remaining 95% is business.

What do have in store for the future of Gram sneakers? Whats your ultimate goal?
Well it would be nice to make some money, but that’s only a goal as long as you dont have any. I think the ultimate for me is recognition for my design and the chance to travel, working with people and brands that I admire.
The future of gram will see more product lines, accessories and collabs. Hold on, it’s all in the pipe as we speak.

Outside of designing sneakers, what are your other hustles or hobbies?
Wow. Right now that’s my problem. There are too many shoes in my life and not enough of anything else. No comment for now, but get back to me in a year or so and we’ll see if the situation’s improved.

What is a MUST DO in Sweden?
Mid-Summer festival in the Swedish Archipelago, it’s the only thing I never miss.

What is your philosophy?
A paycheck from your employer is only compensation for lost time.

Lastly, what is the most vital lesson you’ve learned?
Don’t be too proud to ask for help

Kime Buzzelli, (that’s KimE, pronounced “Kimmy”), lauded artist and owner of boutique store Show Pony in LA’s Echo Park, definitely has an interesting outtake on life, art and the fashion scene. The self proclaimed “Type A” Scorpio with an Aquarius rising, throws her fascination of the hidden power wheedled by unsuspecting and pulchritude aloof Teen Queens into her art, which is showcased everywhere from art galleries, to magazines and books. I had the chance to phone-in with Kime and get her thoughts on being flexible, her next “big thing”, and how she got that “E” at the end of her name.

So, we pretty much answered the first question just a second ago, which was ‘how do you say your first name’…and it’s Kime (like Kimmy.)
My real name is Kimberley but my family always called me “Kimmy” and they spelled it K.I.M.E, so it just sorta stuck.

So it just sorta grew up with you?
[We share a laugh] Yeah, pretty much.

Most of what we’ve seen of your art is images of fashionable women created in watercolor, can you tell us more?
I started out in fashion illustration and I’ve always been inspired by fashion images. I’ve always been into clothes and when I was younger I was never really good at sewing, so I just wanted to be able to paint all these things that I’d never be able to make. As I got older I became more intrigued by female painters, a lot of my favorite artists and singers are women. I’ve just been drawn to the idea of narrating these secret lives of women, or telling different women’s’ stories through voyeurs and over hearing things. I guess also ‘cause I’m not really great at drawing men!

[Kime laughs at herself, showing she has a good sense of humor about her obstacles]

Right, well sometimes men can kinda ruin things.
Yeah, I don’t know, like, things that generally inspire me are like if I see a certain pose, or an expression or a color scheme, it makes me sorta want to make a painting. I do generally work from magazine pictures, but I usually collage a lot of the things so they’re always sort of different. I’ll take one element of a photo and then combine it with something else.

From what I’ve seen, your art has a bit of a “Lolita” quality to it, has your art ever been inspired by the novel?
Yeah! I’ve always been really intrigued by it. I was a fashion illustrator for a little while then I opened a store in Ohio in the late 90’s and most of my customers were young girls, 13 to 18, and it was interesting because my work transformed from drawing these really tall skinny women, to sort of more fleshy, cute girls. I didn’t really notice the transformation, but my work really started to go in this direction. Over time I realized that I was being inspired by my customers and this power that they had, you know they are at that age where they are just coming into who they are and what they like and there is something very care free about that. It’s a time when they are really coming in to their power as a woman, you know…seeing what your sexuality can bring you. The Lolita book is sort of a scary thing to men, and these girls are not that aware of how they harness that energy. I’ve always been inspired by it, but more inspired by the “tough girl”, I’ve always been interested in girls that know what they want and they go out and get it…the edgy girl who has a really cool stance, and you don’t wanna mess with her. When I was younger I was always into that one girl in the Horror movies that always makes it out alive, and can make a pulley and rig up a boat and do things like that.

[We share in a laugh]

Yes, but you do know as teen horror movies go, the last girl standing is the one who didn’t participate in abject drug use or have sex!
[We laugh again] Right! I know! I mean I’m pretty shy and I definitely surround myself with really aggressive, kinda controlling very smart women, and sassy. I’m more of the shy one.

Really? Well you express yourself through your art.
Yeah, I guess so…

I like that! I did notice that your art is a bit reminiscent Stina Perrson’s work, are you familiar with her work and has she or any other artists influenced you?
Maybe I’ve seen her, I can look it up.
[Kime takes a minute to search the web and look up Stina Perrsons’ art work]
You know I think she was in a book with me! We were in Fashion Illustration NEXT together. It’s a book that I was in like 2001, and she’s one of the artists in the book too. I don’t know her personally, but I really love her stuff now that I see it again. I’m pretty sure she’s in that book it’s by Laird Borrelli. When she asked me to be in the book I was so young, and my work is so different now, she found my artwork when I was doing really young stuff, and by the time the book came out I was doing stuff that was evolved. She really wanted to do my early work that was on stuff like paper plates and napkins.

We knew about Show Pony, your store in LA’s Echo Park neighborhood, before we knew about your art work. So, which came first? …the art, right?
Yeah, I’ve always been making art work, and in college I was doing a lot of fashion inspired installations with clothing and art work that I made, but the Show Pony came about because I was making artwork and making clothes for fun in the late ‘90’s, and a lot of stylists would ask me “Oh, is that Martin Margiela” or “Where’d you get that” and of course I would tell them that I made it. Then they would ask to borrow my stuff for their shoots, finally my friend and I found a space to work out of …we weren’t planning it as a store, but more as a work space for stylists, then it just switched over and grew on its own. I noticed that since I stopped making clothes that my art work has definitely gotten better, so I feel like I had to sacrifice one thing to get better in another way.

How would you describe your own personal style and what brands do YOU wear?
I definitely say my personal style is all over the map, I definitely sort of have an Annie Hall quality. I can go from dressing masculine to going really feminine, like I hardly ever wear pants, dresses are more me…

Me too!
I think my style is the best of the 20’s meets the 70’s. I’m very into the 70’s that tries to be 40’s. I will say that I like to have one piece that tricks-out my wardrobe in a gypsy way. I have a lot of crazy jewelry. The person I would love to look like, if I could because I can’t seem to be that minimal, would be a cross between Patty Smith, Jane Birkin…you know just that French aesthetic to make my life sort of plain, it would make my life easier.

[Kime gives shy giggle]

What types of brands do you carry at your boutique, any gems you wanna share?
There is this designer called Chromium Dumb Belle who makes these collars that are awesome. They’re embroidered and appliquéd neckpieces and they are so amazing because they are something you would see in the late 60’s. They’re like pictures and they’re stitched, and they look like you’re wearing a painting around your neck…I like stuff like that that tells a story.
We also carry Luxury Jones, a designer who makes all hand died shirts and wrap dresses, she has a very 70’s feel, and Battalion a very minimal designer line, they make a lot of batwing tops and dresses and they are really Eco –friendly.

When did you start designing and applying your artwork on tees?
I’ve always drawn, but I started making screens in ’99, I was doing these really primitive works out of my house, they were these really crazy colors and all these layers but those are the ones that singers like Nelly Furtado wore in some of her videos. Show Pony had just opened then and we were selling a lot to stores, and did some shows in Japan. Now that I’ve gotten better at it, we work with t-shirt companies like “Blood is the New Black” and I’ve done some stuff for Forever21 and a lot of bands too.

On your MySpace page you said you’d like to meet taxidermists? What intrigues you about taxidermy?
[Kime laughs] One of my favorite female artists is Annette Messager, an amazing French artist who does beautiful installations with taxidermied birds in these little hand knit outfits, there is just something about it…obviously creepy, but in a way about preserving things. I don’t own any animal taxidermy, but it intrigues me…

We heard that you’re working on a project for Urban Decay makeup, give us some inside skinny?
I just finished it yesterday! I turned it all in and they loved it, and I’m so excited because it was sooo fun to do! Their makeup is super-fun, so I got to do a whole range of girls in different poses and crazy eye makeup and they’re gonna make them into eye shadow palettes that are 5”x5”! So, it will be a special thing that has my signature style on it. A cool little kit for teens and stuff.

I have a random, but somewhat apropos question to ask that I got from Google, here it goes “Which is more important to you and why: flexibility or expandability?” Answer it just off the top of your head anyway you want.
[Kime deliberates seriously] I guess for me it would be flexibility, I like the idea of being able to go with the flow and not be restricted by guidelines and stuff. I like expandability to in a different way, but for me expandability is, like, is something that I’ve struggled with my whole life. I’m totally Type A, even thought I come off as sort of loose, I’m actually real hard on myself and really particular…

Are you a Virgo?
I’m actually a Scorpio, and I have an Aquarius rising, but I defiantly struggle with the feeling of “whatever, it’ll happen”. I have to get used to the idea of just letting things happen and being more flexible.

What is your next big thing? Anything you can share?
My next big thing that I’m super excited about is, I am taking over the gallery space- 1520 at Urban Outfitters. They made this huge complex across from Amoeba, and I’m taking over the space on March 6th for a month for a solo show called “Disappear Here” with all the artwork and clothes that I’m making! So I’m getting to do all the things I love again, like hand painted clothes, and paintings and sculptures. I’ll be making my paintings into posters and prints, so there will be some really affordable stuff, and also taking my favorite blog posts and making them into a book. Some of my friends are making photo books, and we’re having a band play in the courtyard, so it’s gonna be a really great event!

Kime can be found on her blog themoldydoily.com, and her art work can be purchased at www.kimebuzzelli.etsy.comand sometimes on her website www.kimebuzzelli.com.