EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TYLER HILTON ON HIS STYLE!

A few weeks back I found myself waiting in line braving the Seattle rain with no umbrella, all because of Tyler Hilton. The musician/actor has been playing music for years and every chance I get to see him I jump at it. He not only plays great music, but he has a great sense of humor that comes out on stage, interviews, his youtube videos and twitter. On top of that he has an effortless sense of style, so I was excited when I had the chance to ask him a few questions on his fashion choices, style icons, tips and if he's ever had a style blunder.



Please list three words and three words only to describe your style.

Comfortable, practical, simple

You've played a variety of characters..Murphy in Charlie Barlett, Elvis in Walk the Line and Chris Keller on One Tree Hill,who's style have you most identified with?
Chris Keller's style is most like mine. He's a bit flashier, but I dig that!



As a musician/celebrity do feel pressured to look a certain way?
Yea, but not bad pressure. The same kind of pressure you feel to not wear pj's into the office.

I saw your episode of MTV's Styl'd, do you always have a stylist help you get ready for a show?
No, but I always try and have a lady help! Usually its just me asking the band, "Is this gonna work ok?" But I got a stylish band!



You cite a wide selection of artists as musical influences, do you have any fashion influences?
I like older looks. Bob Dylan, Elvis, James Dean.


Music is a form of self-expression,but so are clothes. What do you hope people read from you fashion choices?
I hope they don't read anything. I hope they don't notice my fashion. I hope no one sees anything bad or good that stands out. Fashion to me is something to help not distract from my vibe and personality, you know? The less I hear about my clothes the better, and that includes "Oh, he needs fashion help!"

Every time I've seen you in concert you've been wearing a pair of cowboy boots.You even lived in Nashville for awhile, but you grew up in Cali. Do you consider yourself a little bit country?

Yea, I guess I do. I never thought about it. I seem to be drawn to a few things that are "country". I also go through phases. I wore cowboy boots non-stop while living in LA then once I got to nashville I couldn't get out of my lace up boots. Go figure! My basics are some kind of jeans, some kind of boots, some kind of shirt, and some kind of jacket.



Most men don't travel as much as you do, it seems like your constantly on the road or on a plane.. do you have any fashion tips from lessons learned?

Yes, for planes I have learned over the years to keep shoes on that are easy to take off be it no laces or keeping the laces loose, no belts or belts that are easy to take off, and no jewelry. And for travel in general the lighter I travel the happier I am. Running shoes and boots are all the shoes. Few jeans I can wear for a few days and an assortment of t-shirts and dress shirts I can mix and match to look like more out fits then I actually have!

Girls usually have one piece of clothing that they've had since middle school, do you have one that you just can't seem to part with?
Do they really? That's great! How funny... No I don't have anything I wore in middle school. Thank god!

Have you ever had a fashion blunder that you can laugh at now?
I look back on pictures of myself all the time and think, where did you come up with that! I'm sure I have pieces on right now that'll turn into future regrets. Right now its probably my bright red sun glasses from Oakley. I love em but future me is probably cringing.

Whatever...future me isn't nearly as cool as current me! :)

Thank you so much to Tyler for taking some time out of his busy busy schedule to answer these questions. You can also find him on Youtube, it's easily one of my favorite channels, Cooking with Tyler is informative and fun. You can also follow him on twitter and find out information about his happening on his website.

Tyler and I!

SNAP SHOT INTERVIEW WITH D OF DREAM SEQUINS!

I missed doing my Snap Shot Interviews, it was always a treat to find out more about my fellow bloggers. So I just had to bring it back and what better way then with Dream Sequins. I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with her at NYFW, she was a doll and I just wanted everyone to find out more about the girl who makes the blog.

BREAK IT DOWN GIRL!

Name: Deanne but I like to go by just plain "D"
Job: Part-time freelance fashion writer/full-time troublemaker (and corporate wage slave)
Dream Job: I'm trying to make my dream job a reality right now, but I would love to work in social media or own my own boutique!
City of residence: New York

1)Three words and three words only describe your style?

Comfy, cozy, chameleon

2) Dream sequins, well I often dream about outfits with sequins, but what drove you to use it as a blog title?

I tried to think of something memorable and fashion-focused. Last year when I started the blog, the word sequins came up, then I thought about dreams. I mushed them together and found myself a pretty funny name.

There I am with you at the IFB party! And I'm wearing sequins, but I don't really own too many pieces with sequins in them.

3)I have been lucky enough to see you in action, interviewing designers and taking photos at shows. What’s your favorite part?

I love interviewing designers and seeing them in their native habitats- especially their studios. It's so inspirational to me.


4) Can you please share 3 of your personal fashion photos that your most infatuated with and maybe a little blurb about it?

I am pretty proud of the photos I took at New York Fashion Week. I just got my first DSLR camera and these shots just blow my mind. Here are three that I love. The first one is Lynn Yaeger, who is one of my idols, a fashion icon in her own right; I love her point of view and strong writing voice. Plus, she just rocks the Japanese designers like no other.

I captured this lovely girl at the Creatures of the Wind presentation during NYFW. She has such unique style. I just love everything about her. Obsessed!

This one is my very first backstage experiences at NYFW. The girls at Ideeen in their spooky Kabuki makeup. It's kind of amazing how they go from kind of slouchy and bored to BAM full on model fierce mode when you lift your camera up to take a shot.

5)Music is a big part of my everyday life, in fact I can‘t go a day without singing, but enough about me, what song has been stuck in your head lately?

"All or Nothing" by Au Revoir Simone. So catchy.

6)Everyone has a go to item whether its a pair of shoes, a purse or maybe just a ring, that makes them feel fabulous.. what’s yours?

My one pair of Nicholas Kirkwood lattice-crossed platform heels. They make me feel really amazing. I met Kirkwood in London a few months ago and acted like a dorky fan. Like "Hi! I love your shoes. I'm wearing them now!"

7)If all of your clothes were burning which item would you save first?


My first real designer clothing purchase: an Ann Demeulemeester winter coat, which has sentimental value. I talk about this coat like it's the only one I own, but it's just so versatile and timeless.

8)I usually ask if you could shop in any city where would you go, but let’s mix it up a little, of all the places you’ve been to where are you dying to go back to? Any little hidden shopping gems?


Paris. I love visiting and discovering new neighborhoods and tiny little boutiques. They have bijoux shops for everything there. We discovered this umbrella shop called Parapluies Simon (http://www.parapluies-simon.com) on Saint-Michel which has been in business since 1897! My umbrella is a piece of haute-couture worthy art. Last time I went to Paris, I loved hanging out in the Marais, which has shops open on a Sunday (gasp). I want to go back to explore the flea markets and mine the vintage stores there.

9)Fashion has many icons, but which one do you find yourself idolizing and why?

I don't have one icon per se-- and like fashion, I'm very fickle in this area-- but I would say, as a fashion writer, I can't help but admire the amazing Cathy Horyn of the NY Times. She has a point of view and she's not afraid to express it.

10)Thank you for taking the time to do this! You have a way with words, no doubt. Any last words to leave your readers with?

Blogging has opened my eyes to a lot more than I expected in the fashion world. When I started writing about independent and emerging fashion on my blog, I didn't expect to connect with so many amazing, creative, talented people. Not only amazing, under the radar cool designers, but amazing stylists and bloggers from different corners of the world. Thank you, Alix, for being one of them! I'm blessed to know you!

I would be surprised if you hadn't already been to Dream Sequin's blog, but if you haven't definitely check it out!

SNAP SHOT INTERVIEW WITH CROSBY OF PR COUTURE!

The lovely Crosby of PR Couture is one of the most hard working ladies I know. She is constantly on go, busy being a foster mom to a array of kitties, hosting events and keeping her fashion pr website fresh and updated.. I wonder how she does it all? Also where did she find the time to answer these questions? Thankfully she did because we get a sneak peek into the life of Crosby Noricks.....

:Break it down girl!:
Name: Crosby Noricks
Job Founder/PR Couture Social Media Strategist/Red Door Interactive
Dream Job: Fashion Editor at Lula, part-time unicorn trainer
City of residence: San Diego, CA

1.)Three words and three words only describe your style?

Hearts love Noir

2.) A girl on the go - that's definitely you. It seems as if you are always going somewhere, how are your packing skills? What are the first three things that you pack because you just can't live without them and has almost caused you to miss a flight because you forgot one?

I am an amazing packer, it is true! The first 3 things I pack are probably not my musts because I'm probably wearing them already, see it's important to pile on as many of your musts as possible on the day you fly so you have extra room in your bag for impromptu shopping. I always pack my olive brown vintage Rider boots, an enormous creme colored wool and cashmere wrap (planes are always freezing) and the charger for my iPhone. On my last trip I actually forgot to pack heels to wear with this lovely dark blue wrap dress, I had to wear black flats with it and I was so mad!

3.) I know you are kitty foster mother, you have a heart!! You probably have had to name a lot of them, but what were the first kitties names that you ever fostered? Is it just pulling names out of the air or do you actually think about it?


I don't usually name them, at least not on purpose. I have lots of generic kitten nicknames though, pumpkin, muffin, puppy...sometimes they just sort of assume a name. The last batch I tried to give them all Jane Austin names, but 4 of them looked so similar I couldn't tell them apart so that fell a bit flat. When it comes to naming to keep though, animals, sims, brands, I give it a lot of thought!

4.) I can tell from your facebook page that you like to make up your own words, you are truly a girl after my own heart. I thought it was a weird quirk of mine, so I am happy to find a kindred spirit in you. What are some words that you have made up and please what do they mean????

hmmmm it is very hard to remember them off the cuff. well as you know, beardie refers to a cute boy with a beard, i find adding the word - towns to pretty much everything works very well for me, I like socialmediocity, like how powerful is your social media? smarmalade is like when a skeezy guy hits on you and is over-complementary and you feel dirty after you escape him. it can also be attributed to those totally fake women who smile without their eyes and have really white teeth.

4.) Everyone wants to know what the perfect date consists of, but I want to know what your perfect working day is like? What music is on, what are you drinking? Who is calling you, whats the weather like? Go ahead dream a little!

I actually wrote a whole page on this, wish I knew where I put it! Perfect work day would be immersed in lovely clothes, lovely friends, photographs and involve meeting with fashion smarties, drinking rose petal tea in a white linen yurt overlooking the ocean while a mini-pony nibbles dandelions outside I'm listening to Zero7, El Perro Del Mar, David Bowie, She Keeps Bees, Leonard Cohen. It's sunny but breezy, I'm wearing a fabulous vintage Zandra Rhodes long dress...

5.)Everyone has a go to item whether its a pair of shoes, a purse or maybe just a ring, that makes them feel fabulous.. whats yours?

My go-to fab...Love my red leather Hayden Harnett bag, it's the perfect pop to my mostly monochromatic color pallet.

6.)If all of your clothes were burning which item would you save first?

A vintage tunic from Italy that was my mom's.

Crosby with mom Judy, original fashion inspiration, who passed in 2007.

7.) You are having a cocktail party and you can invite any four people.. anyone living or dead.. who would you invite?

Haha this is funny because I am totally torn between people I would want to hang out with and people I would want to "network with." Fuck that, going with favorites. Frida Kahlo, Tori Amos, my best friend Marie and my mom (it would be worth it for her to come down if Frida was going to be there, I think!)

8.)If you could go to any city in the world to shop,where would you go and why?

I've always wanted to go to Copenhagen, I've got a thing for Scandinavian design.

9.)What fashion extraordinaire do you admire and what fashion self proclaimed extraordinaire makes you go WTH?

I admire Valerie Steele, especially for starting the fashion academic journal, Fashion Theory. WTH I don't really know, I'm more "ew" by people who take no risks than people to take a few too many.

10.)Where do you go to find inspiration besides www. alixrose.com?

I read Bust and Lula, have several hundred blogs on my RSS, I go to Gala Darling, Garance Dore, Coco+Kelley, scroll through Tumblr..

Thanks so much to the lovely Crosby for taking some time out of her day to do this!

pics sources:
weheartit
crosbys personal pics

SNAP STYLE SHOT INTERVIEW WITH ANGIE OF NORWEGIAN WOOD

I was directed to Norwegian Wood's Etsy Shop by my fellow fashion bloggers fan girl posts and in no way was I disappointed. Her designs are out of the box beautiful and inherently Angie. Not only is her work awesome, but so is the girl genius behind it. I instantly wanted to know more about her and she so graciously agreed to be the next snap style shot in my series of interviews. Thanks Angie!!

:Break it down girl!:

Name: Angie Johnson

Job: designer/PR/photographer/model/stylist/shipper. I also help out my fiance with our brick & mortar store (www.HQgalerieboutique.com) but he does most of the work :)

Dream Job: I think I'm doing it....it makes me really happy right now. Maybe more time to design and less time being chained to the sewing machine.

City of residence: Montreal



1)Three words and three words only describe your style?

Unexpected, Contrast, Layered

2) Cages,harnesses, fringe, feathers and tight leggings - its all very stylish and can seem a little naughty, especially since I can't seem to say the words without a little smirk, but most of all its not the typical kind of fashion items. What inspired you to create such masterpieces? Did it just come to you over time or was it some specific eureka moment?


I think the eureka moment was more in terms of realizing I could actually SELL the OTT designs I'd been sketching for years. In previous fashion industry jobs I was always told to tone things down, but when I started working for myself I said "screw it, I'm going to design exactly what I want and see what happens" and it worked out. It never would have been possible without the internet though, and the amazing support I've received from the fashion blogging community.

3) Your brand name is Norwegian Wood and yes we know that you are part Norwegian, but maybe people didn't know it also happens to be a a Beatles song. I like the song as well. What line is your favorite and why?



I don't think I have an actual favorite line, I more or less first fell in love with the song when I was about 12, just because it's a beautiful song, and then as I got older I listened to the lyrics more closely and realized the song is actually very dark, with a lot of plays on words and is kind of just about a one night stand spent with some girl. After starting my line I also discovered that Norwegian Wood is an amazing book written by Japanese author Haruki Murakami. It's also pretty dark, a must read!

4) So I follow you on twitter and it seems like you are always working. I guess the saying, "A girl's work is never done" is true when it comes to you. Where do you get most of your genius accomplished? Pictures???



It's true, I pretty much work all the time, but I really love what I'm doing, it's really not that bad. Since my studio is at home I pinball between sewing/packing in the studio, working on the computer in the hall and cutting/handsewing in the livingroom. I usually try to do my handsewing at night though so I can watch TV with my man (or watch him play videogames, soooo nerdy!) My studio is not huge and is therefore lined wall to wall with shelving (I attached a studio photo, you can get a glimpse of one set of shelving)

5) Everyone wants to know what the perfect date consists of, but I want to know what your perfect working day is like? What music is on, what are you drinking? Who is calling you, whats the weather like? Go ahead dream a little!


Listening to - old music, a variety of goodies from the 40s-80s, mostly 60s though
Eating/Drinking - a Guru to start the morning (it's an organic energy drink made here in Mtl, my coffee alternative) and then Diet Cokes and water the rest of the day. Lots of delicious leftovers to snack on in the fridge, perhaps a quiche and then macarons from the patisserie down the street for lunch.
Weather - sunny, but not too hot, the perfect spring day
Working on - some gorgeous intricate new design, that is challenging, but is coming together without a hitch
Talking to - my employees! I really wish I had some help at this point, so it would be nice to one day be able to hire some great young designers who are eager to learn, and are not afraid to get their hands dirty.
Getting calls from - magazines and stores who are interested in the line, suppliers telling me the cost of my supplies has gone DOWN!



6) You used to work in the fashion industry, but one day decided to break free from the clothes that bind. What made you take that step into creating your own line?



I was designing for a small Montreal line and it was not going well. I was happy with the clothes I was designing and my boss was great, but the sales reps were SO not getting it, and therefore were not approaching the right kinds of stores, and it was not selling well. Eventually my boss decided to stop doing the line and just distribute other lines, so I got laid off. So obviously I said "hey, it seems like there's a recession on its way, seems like the perfect time to venture out on my own!" Well, I didn't really say that actually, but I guess in the end that's what happened!

7) You also run a blog devoted to Indie art. My brother is an artist and I am completely jealous of his talent, in a supporting way..of course. Who's art do you totally covet?

Half of the boutique I run with my fiance is also an art gallery, so we're constantly exposed to amazing talent and covet most of it. Right now I'm crazy about Stella Im Hultburg, Fifi Lapin, Audrey Kawasaki, Garrett Van Winkle, Mati Rose McDonough, Tyson Bodnarchuk (my fiance, of course!), Amy Sol, Team Macho, Caitlin Shearer.....I could list so many more!

8)Everyone has a go to item whether its a pair of shoes, a purse or maybe just a ring, that makes them feel fabulous.. whats yours?


Shoes, it's pretty much always shoes in one form or another. I think it's because I can't make them myself, so they're often a treat.



)If all of your clothes were burning which item would you save first?


Well I just bought my wedding dress (an amazing vintage piece from the 50's) so I'd probably save that since I haven't even been able to wear it yet!



9) When I look at your harnesses sometimes I think, hmmmm what superheroine would it look best on. I know silly right, but with a few hooks you know it could definitely hold some weapons. Sorry I was watching X-men last night so it got me thinking. So, if there was a super heroine that wore your harness,what would her name be and what would her super power be?


I think she would be some sort of dark heroine, protecting people through vigilante justice. She would also kick butts when people litter, I really hate that. I mean come on people, it's SO EASY to not litter! She probably wouldn't have any innate super powers, just lots of gear on her harness to help her fight crime and litter. Here name would have to be ...... oh god I'm bad at this, I can't think of a thing!

10)If you could go to any city in the world to shop,where would you go and why?


In my previous life as a "fashion designer for other people" that actually used to be part of my job....hard to believe! I used to travel to London twice a year, along with 2 other cities per season. Sigh, that's the one thing I miss. So far my top pics have been: London, Hong Kong and Stockholm

11)What fashion extraordinaire do you admire and what fashion self proclaimed extraordinaire makes you go WTH?


Admire: The Mulleavy sisters (Rodarte) their commitment to reimagining hand done techniques is incredible! And I stand in awe of Karl, he's just such an interesting person to me for so many reasons.

WTH: any celebrity designer, you already have enough money, leave the designing to people who know how to build a pattern!



12)Where do you go to find inspiration besides www. alixrose.com?


movies, books, all sorts of fashion blogs, photography, interiors mags, music, art....I actually don't actively seek out inspiration, it's just all over the place and soaks in somehow. Montreal is a great city for that I think :)

13)Thank you for Taking the time to do this! Any last words?

You're so thorough, I can't think of anything else! Thanks for the support!

Previous Snap Style Shot Spotlights:
Wendy Brandes of Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Frankie of Swell Vintage
Ashe of Dramtis Personae
Jordana of Clutch22

pic source
google
norwegian wood

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SNAP SHOT INTERVIEW WITH THE LOVELY WENDY BRANDES

You may know Wendy Brandes, her amazing jewelry, her humorous and very informative blog (if you haven't seen it I totally recc'd it) but you've never seen her this way.

BREAK IT DOWN GIRL!

Name: Wendy Brandes
Job: Jewelry Designer
Dream Job: Benevolent Dictator of the Universe
City of residence: New York

1)Three words and three words only describe your style? I never know how to answer questions about my own style, so I decided to ask an expert. Fashion designer Zang Toi says, by email, that I'm "Glamorous & Stunningly Sexy." I hope the ampersand doesn't put him over the limit.

2) The first time I saw your jewelry my jaw dropped, seriously. Every piece seems like it has a story. What item on the site is your favorite and why? I know impossible to pin point. I ask the hard questions. My Marie Antoinette Ring really illustrates my feelings about its namesake. It's in the royal colors of purple (amethyst) and green (tsavorite), and the prongs are fierce and thorn-like. Louis XIV established the excesses of Versailles. Marie Antoinette stepped into a situation that was already out of control. The ring is all about danger.

3) Your line is self titled, but let's say your name was taken. What are some other options would you have used? I actually did start designing under another name: Gigi Caron. Gigi was for my dog and Caron was the first name of my business partner. We liked the way the name reminded us of Leslie Caron's star turn in the movie Gigi. There's a great line in that movie:

"Wait for the first class jewels, Gigi. Hold on to your ideals."

4) I picture you working over a big desk making beautiful pieces of jewelry, but then I also picture you doing stand up, you do make me laugh. So where do you do most of your work during the day and what do you do for fun, when the work clock has stopped? If I'm on my laptop, as I am a lot of the time, I'm most likely lying in bed. Then when the day is done and I want to have some fun ... I stay in bed!

5) I have a feeling that you weren't really a barbie girl, since your jewelry is modeled after really strong real women. I honestly would love to learn more, I really wish I would have paid more attention in history class, so I could shoot the facts with you. So who do you recc'd I read about, any books? You're right about Barbie. I used to play with plastic dinosaurs. My favorite medieval history book is A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman. It's about the 14th century but it puts current events in perspective. If you want to read about interesting women, start with The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser.

6)What's your favorite lyric from any song.. EVER? "Ever"?! You're strict! I'll go with: "Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV/And you think you're so clever and classless and free/But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see," from Working Class Hero by John Lennon. I love an angry Beatle.




7)Everyone has a go to item whether its a pair of shoes, a purse or maybe just a ring, that makes them feel fabulous.. whats yours? Red lipstick, especially MAC's Lasting Lust.

8)If all of your clothes were burning which item would you save first? My vintage Ossie Clark snakeskin jacket. Ossie gave it to an employee in lieu of the money he owed her and I got it directly from her.

9) I stop women on the street and admire what jewelry they are wearing? If I was to see you on any random day what items would you be rocking? Lately, I'm wearing my Gravity Engagement Ring, my Gravity Ring in platinum, my Cleves Ring, my Borgia Poison Ring, my Acorn Necklace and my little Squirrel Necklace. That's on a casual day, of course.

10)If you could go to any city in the world to shop,where would you go and why? Milan, to hunt Prada handbags in their native habitat.

11)What fashion extraordinaire do you admire and what fashion self proclaimed extraordinaire makes you go WTH? I like Gwen Stefani for having a distinct personal look that has evolved organically. The fact that she's a red-lipstick fan helps her get my vote. I say WTF to all the fashion police. I hate self-proclaimed experts who sit on their asses and write about Rachel Weisz's dark lipstick at the Costume Institute gala as if it were a federal offense. I look at these so-called experts and think, "Who are these trolls to judge anyone else?"

12)Where do you go to find inspiration besides www. alixrose.com? Is there anything that compares to alixrose.com? I think not. But I do like to check out medieval artifacts at museums.


13)Thank you for Taking the time to do this! You have a way with words, no doubt. Any last words to leave your readers with? Wear what you want, bitches!

CHEERS TO THAT!

pic source
wendybrandes
google