Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
The Heat Is On
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Center Of Attention
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Shapely Draping
Monday, February 8th, 2010
To: Mea
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Ricky Takizawa
Name: Ricky Takizawa
Occupation: Store Owner
Home: Downtown, LA & Japan
What are you working on for the fall season?
I make new stuff every month, whatever comes to mind really. Popkiller will have new t-shirts with the fall feeling for sure.
Where do you shop for the vintage pieces in your store?
I know a lot of local vintage dealers. I just tell them the stuff I love and what I’d like to have, so they try to keep the stuff for me. They know that I like fresh picks.
Is there an item you are currently coveting?
Always vintage. Always. I stay away from malls because the vintage stuff is one of a kind, like Popkiller. Malls can’t compare.
What do you love most about Los Angeles?
The weather. Period.
What is your source of inspiration?
My inspiration comes from my friends, a lot of designers- clothing and graphic. I was also a manager for a clothing store for three years and that’s where I learned everything. I mean, it took eight years to open the first popkiller store so that’s at least eight years of inspiration.
What does Popkiller have to offer that other stores don’t?
We have exclusive and original t-shirts with the Los Angeles feel. We don’t sell “Popkiller” shirts anywhere else, you have to walk in the store or go to our site to purchase one, it’s like a club. So when you see someone wearing a shirt with our logo, you know they know us.
Where do you see popkiller in 10 years?
I want a store in New York and possibly Japan. I want this to be the store that everyone goes to- all generations, all races. I’ll be sure to keep the prices low.
To: Mea
Monday, August 17th, 2009
DJ Mia Moretti
Name: Mia Moretti
Occupation: DJ
Home: New York, NY
I read somewhere that you love thrift shops. Is there a department you’re always excited to dig through?
Hmmm. not really, I don’t discriminate, I like to give every corner the love and attention it deserves. If I’m not feeling lucky with clothes, I can usually always find jewelry, I love loading up on all that cheap 80’s costume crap- that always makes my day.
How did you discover PopKiller in Los Angeles? What’s your favorite thing you’ve purchased from there?
I bought these vintage dead stock Dwayne-Wayne-meets-John-Lennon glasses there that are to die for. They’re round metal frames with these pyramids carved into the part that flips up. That’s a horrible description, but they’re amazing.
When you’re getting ready to go work a club, how do you decide what you’re going to wear? What’s one thing you wish you hadn’t worn?
I always just look in my suitcase or my closet and say to myself, “What’s the craziest thing in here?” It’s always last minute. I’m getting ready to play a gig tonight and I’m about to run out the door to find a costume store where I can pick up some Mickey Mouse ears. I need something fun to bring my spirits up and get me through the night. Usually after I wear something once; I’m already sick of it and ready for a new look. There’s nothing I wish I hadn’t worn either…you only live once!
You never have a set play list. What are signs you look for in the crowd that let you know they’re feeling it? And if they aren’t really digging it, does it throw you off your game?
As soon as I walk into the room a song just pops into my head, maybe it’s DJ ESP, I dunno if it is even really based on crowd or my mood or anything really, but I usually just go with it. When I walk into a room and no song pops into my head, then I know it’s gonna be a long night. That usually means I’m at a club I don’t want to be DJing at and the DJ before me is playing mash-ups or bad Top 40. How do you tell when they aren’t digging it? You mean when they are throwing tomatoes at me? That’s not a form of flattery?
A great amount of music mixed by DJs isn’t legally easily accessible to listeners. Dubset.com is the first legal site that features full-length mixes by some of the biggest club DJs in the world (you included) and gives the masses the opportunity to hear your tracks at their leisure. What do you think Dubset will do for the Art of Djing, and the music industry as a whole?
I think it will definitely help bring less “popular” music out to the public. If we can reach people who are normally only exposed to the crap that’s fed to them on the radio and introduce them to some new tunes, then maybe there won’t be so many DJs that are slaves to playing radio hits and Top 40. How many times a night do we have to hear Kanye West and Beyonce? It would be nice if we could take some of these cliché big clubs and start playing a broader range of music there– the DJs are ready to do that, but we work for you guys. The dance floor is our boss so if people can hear some more Indie stuff that we play in small clubs around town or Dubset.com, maybe they will start dancing to it when we play it out at clubs (instead of throwing tomatoes).
To: Mea
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Rand Niederhoffer & Camilla Gale
Name: Rand Niederhoffer
Occupation: Store Owner
Home: Brooklyn
Name: Camilla Gale
Occupation: Store Owner
Home: Brooklyn
How would you sum up your shop in three words?
Accessible, Chic, Understated
If you both were attending a red carpet event, what would you wear?
Camilla: In a dream world? Lanvin or Nina Ricci (while Olivier Theyskens was still at The Helm), lots and lots of vintage diamonds, red lipstick, and Christian Louboutin heels.
Rand: I love it when celebrities wear things on the red carpet where it looks like they actually came from their closet and not a press office or design house. Alexa Chung, for example, really nails laid-back red carpet sass. She always looks comfortable in her skin. I’d wear a pretty silk floral number that can easily go from formal photo-op to after-after party dance-off.
In this tough economic time, what accessory should every woman own?
Camilla: A great, roomy day bag. Having a chic carryall really pulls a look together. We love our Monserat De Lucca Artacho.
Rand: For me, a good summer scarf and great pair of shades. They’re an easy way to make regular daytime outfitting look like you put a lot of effort in, when all you actually did was grab your keys and throw on a wrap!
Who are your favorite new designers?
Camilla: Dace and Church & State.
Rand: Cloak & Dagger and Lily & Jae.
Is there an item you both are currently coveting?
Camilla: Our last blue ombre silk/ cashmere Faliero Sarti scarf. It’s so lush!
Rand: I’ve become obsessed with the separates we have in the store right now. The Myne, Lorick and Wren skirts are all on my wardrobe must-haves at the moment.
When is Thistle & Clover next open call?
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
What do you love most about Brooklyn?
Camilla: The diversity; the laidback attitude; the parks; the small town in a big city vibe.
Rand: The lavender lemonade from Picnic!
To: Mea
Monday, May 11th, 2009
James Morrison
Name: James Morrison
Occupation: Artist
Home: United Kingdom
How would you sum up your tour in three words?
Sweet as pie.
What’s the best advice another artist has given you?
Stay true to yourself, do what you like to do – from various artists. And keep doing what feels right. And don’t be scared to look ugly when you sing because it sounds better when you’re pulling ugly faces.
Paul Berry and yourself co-wrote “You Make It Real.” Is that song
about someone close to you?
Yes. It’s about my girlfriend, Gill.
You grew up listening to folk music. How has that influenced your sound?
I grew up listening to lots of different music but I guess from folk music you get great guitar playing, insightful lyrics and good melody. Folk songs tell stories.
Do you have a favorite vocal, lyric, or song that you’ve been listening to?
I like big butts and I cannot lie!!!!!!!!!!!!
At your show in New York I overheard a fan say: “I just heard his single for the first time yesterday and I had to come to the show. His music tells a story, my story.” Why do you think your songs touch home with so many different people?
Because most of us and nearly all of us have the same feelings about love, life and what really matters. I try to write about what’s important to me at the time and what I know and feel. I guess.
What’s your next stop on your tour?
We are heading out to Dublin, Ireland.
To: Mea
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Poppy King
Name: Poppy King
Occupation: CEO and Founder of Lipstick Queen
Home: New York City
How would you sum up your life in three words?
Surprising. Challenging. Appreciative.
At what point did you know your cosmetics line was going to be a success?
The moment I saw one very happy customer.
What are your beauty essentials?
Red lipstick, eyelash curler and sunblock!
What is Poppy’s definition of style?
Retro glamour mixed with modern cool.
What compelled you to get involved in Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S) charity?
I am very interested in helping to raise self esteem for kids and K.I.D.S does that through providing the basics they need to get to school and live a productive life.
What is your favorite chapter in your book, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen?
Chapter three about the research process because it brings back so many memories for me of my earliest beginnings.
What have been some of your most memorable celebrity collaborations?
I haven’t really collaborated with celebrities but a memorable celebrity moment was when I rushed up to Jerry Hall in Fred Segal and gave her one of my red lipsticks…she has inspired many of my reds.
To: Mea
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
Lamar Odom
Name: Lamar Odom
Occupation: Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
Home: Los Angeles
How would you sum up your role with the Lakers in three words?
Two: Rock Star.
Which words or phrases do you most use on the court?
“What do you say there?!” That’s kind of our little saying.
Best advice another athlete has given you?
Ice. Ice after the game. Ice.
Who’s the toughest player to cover in the league?
Who would be your starting 5 athlete All-Star team?
That’s tough. T.O., Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.
If you were attending a red carpet event, what would you wear?
A military tuxedo. That’s right.
Who is the best dressed player in the N.B.A.?
There’s a couple of them. Myself, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James … Lamar Odom. Oh, wait, I did already mention Lamar Odom.
Is Rich Soil entertainment looking for new talent?
Always. There’s a group called Mansion Boys that I’m really interested in right now. I want to see them make it.
Rich Soil clothing is sold online, will you be able to buy it on Jamaica Avenue?
A hundred percent you will [laughing], 100 percent you will.
How can people get involved in Kathy Kids foundation?
You can get in contact with anybody that works with my foundation. Hit me up on lamarodom.com, give me your ideas and I’ll hit you back.
If you were the N.B.A. commissioner, what rule would you change?
No back-to-back games, that’s about it.
