Category — Mad Crushin’

If you’re looking for a reason to admire the lovely lady known as Kristen Adam, you better enjoy writing lists. If it’s her background in design to her expert pie-baking, or making lion head hats to making music with her band, This Can’t End Well, Kristen has an artillery of talent that seems endless. When I found out she was going to start making and selling accessories, I was more than excited to see what she had in store. Her love of vintage fashion was the basis for Rococonouveau, a shop where you can find beautiful detachable collars that Kristen calls “Collarettes.” You might remember this outfit post when I wore one of her gorgeous “Madeline” pieces.

Read more about Kristen’s inspirations and style icons and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end!

How did you come up with the idea to start making your Collarettes?

I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands this year since I was given the gift of funemployment, so I’ve been trying to make the most of it by filling up my life with various art projects. Sewing has been one of my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember, and when I looked around my house I realized I had tons of fabric remnants from altering vintage dresses over the years. So! I set out to find a way to use it all up. I started out making ascots, which I wore all over the place and everyone seemed to love. Feeling utterly fabulous from all the compliments motivated me to keep on creating new pieces. I started digging through my collected sewing treasure and found a leopard skin collar taken from a vintage coat that a friend had gifted me some time ago. I had put it away waiting to have that stroke of genius on the perfect use for it. As soon as I saw it again I had the idea of simply sewing a ribbon on it and just wearing it on its own. Then I realized, hey! I could draw up a pattern like this and make these out of anything. So I did! Thus the Collarette was born.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I’ve always felt a connection to things of the past: vintage and period fashions, early 20th century classic film, vintage erotica & pinup photography, art deco architecture, art nouveau textiles & jewelry, and the gilded splendor of the Rococo era. The goal in all my work is to merge the essence of these core inspirations with the modernity of the 21st century. Thereby preserving the beauty of these bygone styles in a way that is relevant to today’s aesthetics. Hence, the name rococonouveau!

I look at lots of vintage fashion illustrations and magazines for ideas. I’ve picked up a couple of priceless vintage sewing books just lying on the sidewalks of SF. You find a lot of treasures that way around here. Just getting out and hunting for fabric is also a huge inspiration. I’ll find things on the hunt and come up with ideas that I would never think of while holed up in my crafting cave and looking at books.

What other artists, clothing designers or otherwise, do you admire?

One of my all-time favorites is the early 20th century French fashion illustrator George Barbier. I could look at his illustrations and find new inspiration every day! I’m also an admirer of the art of Erté, Aubrey Beardsley, Tamara de Lempicka, Toulouse Lautrec, and most recently Josef Frank and Nell Brinkley.

It’s funny, not a lot of my fashion inspiration comes from actual fashion designers. It’s more of a melange of influences from music, art, film, and my lovely surroundings here in San Francisco. I recently also really enjoyed watching RuPaul’s Drag Race! Endless inspiration from all those fabulous queens.

Who are your style icons?

The Ziegfeld girls.

If you could describe your personal style as the love child of two people, who would they be?

Prince and Daphne from Scooby Doo.

What are your wardrobe staples?

Currently: my army green vintage uniform skirt, taupe houndstooth professor blazer, Malcolm X-style prescription glasses, nude pumps or brown oxford pumps, backseam stockings or over-the-knee socks, a good red lipstick, and a fancy headscarf for bedhead days – I really want to make that “grandma chic” headscarf/turban the next big thing.

What are some movies that speak the vibe of Rococonouveau?

Blade Runner, Metropolis, Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Faster Pussycat Kill Kill!, Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me, Dangerous Liaisons, Gilda, pretty much anything starring Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, and for some strange reason I’m really inspired by The Shining. I think I just really fell in love with the Overlook Hotel and the idea of all those fancy ghosts from the 1930′s partying down in that delicious gold deco ballroom for all eternity. Basically it’s all about being fun, adventurous, fancy, romantic, mysterious, and having a little extra lady sass thrown in for good measure.

Your five most recent obsessions?

Nell Brinkley cartoons, RuPaul’s Drag Race, “grandma chic” headscarves/turbans, over-the-knee socks, baking the perfect mini cupcake.

Do you collect anything?

Other than way too many clothes/shoes to fit in my tiny apartment? I’m starting to wonder at what point of closet overflow I need to admit that I have a problem…

I’ve always held a certain fondness for tea pots and cute tea sets. This last year I’ve been trying to collect various musical instruments and then figuring out how to play them in interesting ways, some of them toy instruments. However these days all I can think about collecting is vintage fabrics.

What’s next for Rococonouveau?

I’m inspired all the time to design Collarettes in different shapes and styles, but my big plan is to eventually start designing and screen printing my own textiles to make them with using mostly repurposed materials. Also, thanks to my new obsession with Nell Brinkley I have been cooking up a couple stellar ideas for some new vintage-style accessories. So stay tuned!

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AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! Rococonouveau is giving one of my readers (PALS OF AL) the same Madeline Collarette that I wore…which she named after me! Just leave a comment below describing the outfit that you’d wear with the Marie Madeline Collarette by Thursday, August 18th at midnight!  The winner will be chosen at random on Friday August 19. Additional entries given for tweeting about the contest on Twitter (just @ me @agentlover), and for posting on Facebook. All you have to do is “like” Rococo Nouveau and Agent Lover and link (again with @) to our pages on there! In addition to the contest, she is offering free domestic shipping when you place an order with her shop until August 26th. Just use the code AGENTLVRS upon checkout!

If Sweatin’ to the Oldies with famed fitness guru Richard Simmons has always been a dream of yours, you can attend one of his personally-taught exercise classes at the Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills and make that wish come true! But it’s not just oldies you’ll get to work out to. Each class has a different theme, ranging from Kiss to Madonna versus Gaga and Richard usually has an outfit to match! Every time I’ve been to Slimmons, I have an amazing time and leave with with his kind and inspiring words echoing in my head. If you have the chance to attend, YOU MUST! But for now… the awesome Richard Simmons gives us advice on making workouts more fun and staying motivated to reach your goals, whatever they may be!

How did you decide to make your life’s work all about eating healthy and exercising?

After I lost weight and learned to exercise I knew in my heart it would be my life’s work to help others who suffer from a weight problem. I was 200 pounds in the 8th grade and 268 in high school. I never ever exercised in my life until I came to Los Angeles in the early 70′s. and now for the last 37 years I have been a teacher. It is what makes me tick…….makes me happy. I wake up in the morning and I can’t wait to attack the day and be the best that I can be. That ……..is what I teach.

You inspire so many people around the world. Who are some people that inspire you?

I am very inspired by all the people I have met on my journey. I am inspired by people who have turned their lives around, who lost weight and moved on in their life. I am inspired when i see people who can hardly stand for five minutes of my class and now do the whole class. And over these almost 4 decades I have seen miracles. and those miracles drive me to work harder and help more people.

There’s no doubt that the classes at your Beverly Hills studio should be experienced in person, but for people that are too far away to attend, what advice can you give them to make their workouts more fun?

I learned a long time ago that a workout had to be fun. I mean let’s face it we have fun putting weight on, why not have fun taking it off? If you are bored in your workouts then here are some suggestions: Search the web and find some fun DVDs that you can do at home, then build up a library of them and do one a day. Go look at some gyms or exercise studios. Look at their list of classes. There are so many classes new classes offered today and you should try them out to see which ones fit your fancy.

The anecdotes that you share during class always inspire me on a very relatable level. Can you share one with my readers that might help them when they are going through the woes and throes of everyday life and find it hard to keep focused?

After class I do like to inspire people. So many people seem to live in the past. They can’t forget what happened back there and it is hard to have a healthy present and future when all you can think about is the sadness of the past. You have to make peace with the past and look for the rainbows in the present. You must surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good. Those friends are the true rainbows in your life.

What are your top five songs from the 90′s to work out to?

I am a living jukebox and I listen to music every single day of my life. My top 5 songs from the 90′s that I like to workout to are:
“I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred
“Livin’ La Vida Loca” – Ricky Martin
“Genie In A Bottle” – Christina Aguilera
“Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” – Deborah Cox
“Believe” – Cher

Where do you get the ideas for the costumes you wear in class?

I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I was in costumes for Halloween and for the days of Mardi Gras. My parents were singers and dancers. I guess crystals and feathers are in my veins. You see, I like to weave a spell around my students at Slimmons. I don’t want them to think that they are working out. I love dressing up for everyone and making them laugh. The theme of the class dictates the costume. In two weeks* I am doing a class of the legendary voices of the 21st century ………………the warriors of music and of course I am coming as a………….gladiator. Chest plates and all. LOL gold leaves in my hair…………..well you get the picture.

And lastly, what advice would you give me since I want to be an instructor someday? Will you take me under your wing and let me be your apprentice?

If you want to be a fitness instructor what you need to do is take a lot of classes at different places. See the style of other teachers then get certified to become a teacher. but you have to have a passion for it. And before you can become a good instructor you must walk the walk and talk the talk of a healthy person. You must be a good example to your students and you must always let your students know how wonderful they are. That is what I try to do.

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Thank you Richard!! We love you! For more information on Richard and the Slimmons Studio schedule, take a look here (classes are only $12!) You can also follow Richard on Twitter and Facebook!

*Sorry I couldn’t get this post up in time before that class! But sign up for his newsletter so you can find out what themes are coming up!

Photo by ‘Shanty’ Cheryl Groff. From left: Paloma, Angela and Jerico

Bombón is not some average cute girl band with matching outfits and an adorable name (marshmallow in español.) This San Pedro-based ladytrio plays 60′s surf rock with the kind of energy and talent that would make Link Wray proud and have Annette Funicello shaking her hips. Their first LP, Las Chicas del Bombón, may invoke warm weather, the desire for days spent at the beach, and road trips with girlfriends. It can also be the official soundtrack to our daily winged-eyeliner application. Learn more about Angela, Paloma and Jerico below!

How did you ladies come together to form Bombón?

Jerico: Bombón was the brain child of Angela. She has a passion for 60′s surf and shared it with us. That girl is just the most amazing guitar player and she got us going on the genre by showing us her mad reverb-y stylesss haha. I had previously played guitar, but opted to learn some drums for the occasion and Paloma brought forth her funky bass styles. Ang showed us what she had and it just flowed out real easily from there. The three of us collaborate really well together and it all just sorta fell into place. A little more than a year in, we had a cassette done by Burger Records of Orange County, a mini-tour of Nor-Cal, followed by our self-released LP, Las Chicas Del Bombón on 45 RPM Records, and an epic tour, nay, journey! of the South under our belts. I might also add that we made LA Weekly’s “Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2011″ list!! Yay!

What inspires your songs?

Angela: Family, friends, old westerns and horror films.
Paloma: Friends and bandmates
Jerico: I just like to make songs that i think will get peeps’ toes a’tappin’.

Photo by ‘Shanty’ Cheryl Groff.

What female musicians have inspired you personally?

A: There is a great span of female musicians that inspire me to play music such as Holly Golightly, Kira Roessler, ect… but the first that had initially inspired me would be Poison Ivy Rorschach.
P: Basically same as Angela. Definitely Holly Golightly and Kira Roessler taught me how to hold my bass and pluck a bass string with my fingers! Although she doesn’t approve of me playing a right-handed bass while being left handed. Kira rules!
J: My lady faves are Jenny Lewis, Zooey Deschanel and Kim Shattuck of The Muffs. They are all rock goddesses in my eyes.

Your current musical crushes?

A: Not quite sure if you can call it a crush, but The Pine Hill Haints I will love to death!
P: Thurston Moore
J: Totally have a girl crush on Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast right now, but my heart will always belong to George Harrison.

Are there any movies that speak the vibe of Bombón?

A:  I would like to hope for a Quentin film.
P: Yes Any Quentin-directed movie.
J: QT has it!

Photo by ‘Shanty’ Cheryl Groff.

You always rock the cutest outfits, how do you decide what to wear for shows?

A: Our decision is usually based on comfort.
P: Whatever is easiest but cute.
J: We like to shop together, we pick out things that are cute, but also functional, and we all throw our own unique twists on each outfit. Our schtick is based off of the nostalgic girl-group vibe , that’s why we go all matchy-matchy.

If you could describe your style as the combination of any two people or things, who or what would they be?

A: My grandparents and Barbara Eden,
P: I would like to think Zooey Deschanel with a mix of punk…well at least that’s the style I like.
J: I’d like to think of myself as Jenny Lewis meets Lucille Ball.

What are your wardrobe staples?

A: Boots, tangerine lipstick and black tights.
P: Black or grey worn out t-shirts.
J: You’ll pretty much always see me in a pair of high top chucks and anything red.

What are some of your current obsessions?

A: Currently… in search of Silvio Rodriguez albums and 1950’s sweater clips.
P: Mastering the art of 1960′s hairdo’s.
J: I’m kind of obsessed with Words with Friends right now, the Scrabble game for iPod where you play against your friends. Haha!

What’s next on the menu for Bombón?

A: Writing new songs!
P: More songs and hopefully more tours and records!
J: I wanna tour Japan!

For more Bombón, check out their Facebook for upcoming shows and don’t forget to purchase their LP here! The record comes with a free digital download and a cute insert too!

French-electropop goddess Yelle, aka Julie Budet, along with band members GrandMarnier and Tepr, blew up the scene several years ago with the high-energy, fuck you anthem, “Je Veux Te Voir,” a song that was undoubtedly on many Myspace profiles back then, mine included. It was a post-breakup musical antidote, a modern-day “I Will Survive” but with way more bite and even more sass. Followed by the release of the debut album Pop Up in 2007, many of us became infatuated with Yelle’s talent and outrageous style. Her outfit choices matched her songs: colorful, loud and all-around fun. After seeing Yelle perform at the Echoplex a couple weeks ago and being blown away by her mesmerizing stage presence, I had to get the lowdown on her second album and fly fashion sense.

+ We are all enjoying your new song “La Musique” but can’t wait for more! I know you are working on your new album now. Is there anything you can tell us about it, like the vibe and when we can expect it to be released?

Thanks a lot! The album release is early March 2011, and a new single mid-January. The album is produced by GrandMarnier, Tepr, and Siriusmo, who gave a hand on three songs. More melodies, more deepness but still dance and fun! We are really proud of all the songs and the fact that they are all different from each other – we are from that compilation culture – but the album is still consistent.

+ Who do you dream of collaborating with someday?

Mmm, hard to say. I’d love to do something crazy someday, like with a giant gay men’s chorus featuring 50 cent!

+ Your current musical crush?

In 2010, I had a crush on White Rabbits, and Miike Snow.

+ Your music, style and attitude embody modern day GIRL POWER! Who are some female role models who have inspired you?

I grew up with singers like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Lio etc.. I spend a lot of time singing in my bedroom in front of mirror trying to dress me with used tights!

+ Do you collect anything?

Not really, I like to find old items in vintage stores… I was collecting stamps when I was 10 but that’s all. I have lots of shoes but I am not in that collecting mood actually.

+ Who designs your amazing outfits?

Jean-Paul Lespagnard, Jean-Charles De Castelbajac, Brian Lichtenberg…

+ And lastly, five things you are currently obsessed with?

* Working on my voice, the new show, my fitness!
* The “Chagrin d’amour” album
* Checking several times if the door is closed, scary…
* We’re back from the US, I have to stop thinking about fries, fried chicken and hamburgers!
* Finding a new pair of shoes!

Check out more of Yelle on her site, Twitter, Itunes and Facebook!

As we all know, I am a big accessory whore especially for all that is colorful, girly and bownerriffic, so when I found out about Cutie Dynamite, an adorable jewelry and hair accessory line based out of Northern California, my weave sang a wistful tune. Andrea Mota, the lovely lady behind Cutie Dynamite, sees the world through Swarovski-studded heart-shaped sunglasses all while spreading her own brand of kitschy cute throughout!

Tulle, bows, ruffles, vintage velvets and lace, Swarovski crystals, feathers and sequins are just some of the elements she uses to make her accessories…which are all of my favorite ingredients! I had to get the lowdown on Andrea, (a fellow member of the International Society of Black Hair, Bangs and Red Lipstick) and her inspirations for Cutie Dynamite!

How did you get started designing accessories?

I have always loved to make things. As a kid I lived in a commune for a little while, and one of the couples taught me how to make silver jewelry. They made a living off what they made and sold, and that idea really stuck with me. I’ve gone through phases of making and selling clothing as well, but at one point I realized that I was making entirely too many hair accessories for myself to ever wear, so i decided it was time to start selling them! I received a lot of support from my fellow crafty ladies and my amazing boyfriend and set up shop in December of 2007 and have been spreading the cuteness ever since!

Can you describe the inspiration behind Cutie Dynamite?

Cute girls! Being fabulous at all times, decadence, sweets, vintage and street fashions all mashed together.

Where did you grow up? Did it influence your aesthetic at all?

I grew up and still live in a small town in Northern California. Everybody knows each other here, and as a result I think I always wanted to stand out that much more! The beauty and the calm of the area is conducive to my being productive. While the items I design don’t make you think of vineyards, redwoods and rolling hills, I really doubt I could do this anywhere else.
On the other hand, I also spent most of my time as a pre-teen living in Mexico, and I know that shaped me, without a doubt. I was constantly surrounded by amazing color, music, art, culture and food.

What is your design process?
It really depends on my mood. Sometimes its all about color, or texture….sometimes I just need the perfect accessory to go with a dress! The process is really just “what do I want to wear?”. I’ll start sewing, and when I emerge from my work room covered in sequins, feathers and Swarovski crystals, I always say it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever made!

Who are some other artists, designers or otherwise, do you admire?

It may sound cheesy, but anyone who gets out there and shares their talents with the world! I’m a huge fan of John Galliano’s work as well as the late Alexander McQueen. Miss Amy, the mastermind behind Shrinkle and Sugarpill has been a big inspiration as well as all the lovely DIY ladies out there!

If you could describe your style as the love child of any two people/things, who or what would they be?

On a perfect day, Jayne Mansfield and a Rock ‘N’ Roll Minnie Mouse!

What are your wardrobe staples?

Lots of glittering accessories, fabulous frocks, perilously high heels, black skinny jeans, and my motorcycle boots.

Is there anything you collect?

Yes! Vintage rubber toys, vintage jewelry, vintage hats, cameos, anything with a bow on it, Kewpie dolls, and any cute figurine with a bow-tie and a confused but ecstatic look on its face!

What are your other interests and hobbies?

Singing and making music. Listening and dancing to loud music. Travel! Going to exotic places and eating, shopping, meeting new people, seeing bands! Baking delicious things and eating them with tea(which I am doing now as I write this!!). Reading about flappers, crackpots, rebels, quacks, grifters, cool people. Naturally, myself, and my dog Elvis!

What’s next in the world of Cutie Dynamite?

Next up…a real website…finally! More jewelry, more fabulousness, more over-the-topedness, more cuteness!

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For more Cutie Dynamite, follow her Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!

The fabulously gorgeous GiGi Deluxe is a woman of many talents, with her creative leanings running the gamut from painting to millinery work and now to tattooing. On top of all that, she is a supermom to the cutest pair of twins ever. Since GiGi is also one of my most favorite ladies to talk to, I had to get the lowdown and find out what makes her the badass woman she is!

+ You paint, draw, model, design and make clothes and hats, are a craft goddess, a dj, and now a tattoo artist! Is there anything else you would like to learn how to do?

I’m training with another tattoo artist and a plastic surgeon to learn how to do permanent cosmetics, and later this year, I’m attending courses to learn about laser tattoo removal. I feel this will make me a more rounded and educated tattoo artist, and I will be able to offer any service a client may need. Be it to remove a tattoo that someone is no longer happy with, or to lighten and prep a tattoo for a cover up. I also want to work with alopecia and mastectomy patients that want to utilize cosmetic tattooing.

I think at this point I want to perfect my skills. It’s all about learning new things, raising the bar and being my absolute best at all the things I enjoy doing.

+ Where did you grow up? Did it have a huge effect on the creative force you are now?

I Was born in Puerto Rico, and moved to Chicago when I was four. We lived in Bridgeport , an all Irish neighbourhood on the southside of Chicago. So from the beginning, I felt like an outsider. I was always in my own world. This also explains my love for (almost) everything Whitetrash.

+ You have a strong love for horror and the grotesque, where did that originate from?

My mom and fun gay uncle used to take me to all the horror and Bruce Lee movies when I was a kid. Sunday’s were a $1 for a triple feature afternoon at the Rat-mova Theatre! (that was not a typo- but it was really called the Ramova)
It was cheaper to drag me along with them, then to pay for a babysitter. Early exposure to the genre had a huge influence on my artwork and my humor.

+ Who are some artists and designers you admire?

I love and adore the late great Alexander McQueen, vintage Vivienne Westwood, Gareth Pugh and John Galliano. As far artists go, my peers and friends are constantly inspiring me. I’m extremely lucky to have such talented and creative people in my life.

+ If you could describe your style as the love child of any two people or things, who or what would they be?

Frida Kahlo would be my mom- and I couldn’t figure out who would be my Dad- so I asked my friend Szandora ( LaVey ) and she said Mick Jagger, because he was sexy as fuck and that I had to get my lips from somewhere! ha ha – I love that girl!

+ What are your wardrobe staples?

Shoes, shoes and more shoes. Tight black sweaters, snug black t-shirts, black platform heels and pencil skirts-these are must haves for me. Usually a corset, but at the moment I’m on the prowl for a few new ones..

+ Is there anything you collect?

I love re-ment Miniatures, and I used to collect ball-joint dolls, Blythe dolls, and Gene dolls but I don’t buy much anymore. I don’t feel the need to collect stuff the way that I used too, the happier I become that less I need.

+ Is there a particular decade in history you feel an affinity for? Why?

The 80′s. I was super lucky to have experienced that era first hand.

+ Name your five current obsessions (music, books, film, food, anything!)

• My twin 10 yr olds
• Art, art and more art
• Tattooing
• Being goal-oriented
• Law and Order (all of them)

+ What’s next on the menu for GiGi Deluxe?

Who knows, but that’s what makes life exciting isn’t it?

You can also follow GiGi on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook!

I fell in love with the amazing Elsa Billgren a few months ago when my bff Emi came across her blog on Elle Sweden. Need Help Dressing is filled with beautiful photos that peek into Elsa’s whimsical life in Stockholm with her friends. I love seeing the pictures she takes of delishis food and her FANTASTIC vintage dress obsession. Like yours truly, Elsa prefers dresses and skirts to pants. She has the best dress collection I have ever seen!!! There is something very special about the simplicity of Elsa’s blog and she is such a charming person to watch. Many props to Elle Sweden! I feel very happy and inspired whenever I read it (through Google Translate.) Elsa was kind enough to do a little Q&A with me so we can find out what inspires her.

If you could describe your style as the combination of any two people or things, who or what would they be?

Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot.

Elsa, you inspire me! Who are some people that inspire you?

Oh thanks! I get inspired by old movies, French cute girls, my mother and everything with a history.

If I came to visit your city, where would you take me for a fun day?

We would go to Tranan bar the first day of summer and have a glass of wine in the sun, then a walk around our boheme blocks for some vintage shopping and end the day with a party on my friends balcony!

What else do you collect besides vintage dresses?

I collect glass jars to keep stuff in for my kitchen, cute comments on my blog and old pictures of my mum from when she was young.

Do you have something you wear every day?

I always wear a dress and a nice pair of stockings.

What is in your purse right now?

You can always find a camera, a calendar and some make up in my purse. And usually some fruits as well.

What music are you currently listening to?

I listen to anything from Love to Lily Allen. Right now I’m repeating a Nina Simone record.

If you could have a tea party with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Oh, I would love to party with Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali! I believe the third person has to be Courtney Love.

What is your motto in life?

Live your life as if you are aloud to do whatever. Don’t think about treating yourself, just enjoy what comes your way.

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Here’s Elsa modeling my mint green “Nikki” cake hat! How cute is she! Also a big congratulations to Elsa and her man on their recent wedding! Read more about Elsa at Need Help Dressing.

Photo credit: Albert Sanchez

As you know, Valley Girl is one of my favorite movies of all time and my obsession with the soundtrack is no joke…I’ve listened to it almost everyday for the past YEAR (OBSESSED! It’s great driving music hello). Singer-songwriter Josie Cotton who stole the film’s prom scene performing her unforgettably controversial and catchy song “Johnny Are You Queer,” was the ultimate badass babe back then and is even MORE badass to this day! She’s kept busy ever since the Valley Girl days, releasing several albums including one that covered theme songs from campy films of the 60′s and 70′s. She has a new album coming out this year called Pussycat Babylon and attention LA friends…she has a free show this Sunday at La Cita! I did a Q&A with Josie to find out more about this fascinating and fierce woman! I love her!

If a song like “Johnny Are You Queer” came out today, how do you think the reaction would be?

Well the only thing I know for sure is it wouldn’t be nearly as shocking or outrageous as it was when I released it in the 80′s, what with Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, The Queers and Queer Nation, it’s definitely within the vernacular now. At the time it was not only banned in Amsterdam, the religious right practically went after me with pitchforks, accusing me of really being a gay man promoting homosexuality. Even the gay community had mixed reactions. The east coast faction thought it was homophobic but the west coast gay community embraced it like it was a gay anthem. It was beyond schizophrenic and affected my career tremendously. I really took a bullet for that song, actually for that one word.

What can you tell us about the new album and when can we expect it to be released?

My new record, Pussycat Babylon, is set to be released sometime this summer.  I hate to categorize it cause there are many different influences but in general it is pretty dancey…with some electro-pop and post post punk elements, even some new wave, power pop and Euro-trash disco. It was basically my co-producer Paul Roessler and myself locked inside a studio for almost a year like insane children left to their own devices. I’ve always been involved in the production of my records but this was the first time I had final say on every single detail. I finally feel like a real record producer and arranger. And lest I forget the dysfunctional relationship that compelled me to write the songs for this record. My friends tease me that I attract these borderline/bi-polar type boyfriends just so I can get the material I need to write. If I can get a good song out of it, my feeling is it was probably worth it but I could be wrong…haha!!

80′s Josie by Larson Paine

My favorite outfit from Valley Girl was your mini-skirt with the car on it! What current trends are you a fan of and which ones would you like to see disappear?

I have to admit I love the latino teenagers take on the 80′s. They are full on, these kids, with the hair and the clothes. It’s huge out here in Los Angeles. But when I was in Miami at the Winter Music Conference this year I saw so many fauxhawk/ mullets I couldn’t see straight. No one really looks cute with those things. Of course as soon as I say that I’m going to see the hottest guy sporting one in front of me and I will have to eat my words. To me fashion has a lot of irony in it. What was hideous becomes fabulous again.

Who are your favorite designers?

I’m a bit of a fashion nymphomaniac which I probably get from my grandmother. I rarely saw her out of her Chanel suits…cigarette in hand, very Bette Davis. My mom influenced me too but she was more Marilyn Monroe vixen meets Dolly Parton at a rodeo. OK my new favorite designers who I just discovered are Viktor & Rolf. They are over the moon!!  I happened to have loved Alexander McQueen. I adore Vivienne Westwood, Galliano of course, even Chanel right now is amazing. Miu Miu, Commes Des Garcon once in a while, Yamamoto, Marc Jacobs can still do it for me and Heatherette is so up my alley it’s not even funny. I also have very fond memories of going into Patricia Fields store in New York before she really hit big. Recently I have been working very closely with Jared Gold who is designing clothes for my live shows. We are both very absurdist in the way we think. Right now we are on this ‘ballet assassin’ kick and just beginning our ‘Shanghai hooker/cowgirl’ wave.

I love how you look on the cover of the new album! (pictured above) Can you tell us more about it and who you collaborated with for the album?

I was lucky enough to get to work with Albert Sanchez who is a legendary photographer in Los Angeles. Pedro Zalba did the set design but was involved in just about every detail of this CD cover. I think I drove him a little crazy. Not that I’m a diva or anything but I am most definitely a detail person and I have a very clear vision of what I want. Jared Gold, my parasitic twin, designed that beautiful dress and the completely insane headdress I am wearing on the cover. He completely indulged my fascination with anything Asian, outer space and evil children’s toys. He is just one of those Renaissance men, a concert pianist, a gourmet cook, a graphic artist, and a true intellectual who can talk with me in complete earnesty about how incredible Planet Of The Apes and Children Of The Corn were. On my last record I worked with Mike Ruiz who was quite amazing as well.

You’ve worked with John Waters in the past, contributing to one of his compilation albums and he provided liner notes for Invasion of The B-Girls. I think Cotton and Waters are a good pairing. Would you ever want to act in one of his films?

I have told him on many occasions I would date a gorilla to be in one of his movies. I just adore the man and I’m sure we will work together again. My music is perfect for his movies. Well him and Quentin Tarantino.

Photo credit: Kiley Amesklein

You’re a big fan of B-movies and even put out an album in that theme..what are five movies I should Netflix right away?

Let me just say that most of the great b-movies were from the 1960′s and 70′s. They probably wont have these on Netflix though, Marie: Alice In Acidland is a classic trashy movie that looks suspiciously like a home movie. It’s about a girl who drops a shit load of LSD and you go with her on her adventures as she is being seduced by her lesbian French teacher. The throbbing technicolor of the Pinky Violence series are in my top 10…  these cute little Japanese girls in boarding school form a vigilante gang and then dabble in prostitution and assassination in these long red rain coats. It’s hilarious and sad and beautifully filmed. But one of my favorite all time movies is ‘Tetsujin 28 Go‘. Another Japanese movie from the 60′s… this was the pen-ultimate ‘man becomes machine’ movie. It makes Iron Man look as pussified as Barney the purple dinosaur. It’s extremely dark thematically, all black and white, very noir where the lead character’s flesh is turning into metal in agonizing detail, becoming some kind of hideous robot creature. At one point he  grows this enormous metal penis and pretty much impales his girlfriend whom he loves and that’s sad… but funny… like life really. That’s why they’re not really b-movies to me.

Do you collect anything?

I began collecting Mao Tse Tung memorabilia some time after I had been exposed to him through various documentaries I had seen over the years. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the tyranny of ideas he embodied. That ideas were that powerful, that people could be so brain washed, that so many millions of peoples died for an idea was astonishing to me. Then one day I came across a photo of a vintage tea set with Mao’s face on it, he was waving and smiling all goofy-like. And it struck me if he was such an idealist and so vehemently opposed to capitalism and all its conspicuous consumption, why was his communist regime manufacturing these tea sets?. So I started researching it and realized in the process he was not only a shameless self promoter and a complete hypocrite, he thought he was Elvis!  And that became hilarious to me. And so my collection began. In fact I have that exact tea set, the ‘red book’ which was their bible, the arm band, the insignia and my piece de resistance, the original album of revolutionary marching songs he put out called The East Is Red. I also collect mid-century furniture from the 1960′s so my bedroom actually looks like Mao and Cleopatra Jones had a baby. Sadly this is all in my song lyrics but no one listens to lyrics anymore so I can pass through the world undetected!!

Any advice regarding menz you can offer for the ladies?

I would say never date an actor especially an unemployed one or a really successful one. Either way you’re screwed. I would say be sure you find the same things funny because humor can get you through anything. Never talk about old relationships or nag. Don’t change yourself for a guy or try to fix him either. And girls, ladies, always keep an air of mystery and never never be clingy because the more you need him the less he will want you. Friends, especially girlfriends, are more important than any romantic relationship you will ever have and nothing is more sexy to a REAL man than a woman who knows who she is.

Photo credit: Mike Ruiz

What are your five recent obsessions?

I love dichotomy and whenever I find it i obsess on it. For example i found myself being drawn to Princess Pony recently for some unknown reason, probably a picture I saw. Then anything with a pony on it caught my attention. I mean what am I, 5 years old? At the same time I was becoming aware of this whole culture of people who ‘date’ and fall in love with horses. There was that international ring that was busted of mostly men who look like farmers who would go to this horse ranch and…well you know where I’m heading with this. Then I became intrigued and started googling it of course and came across yet another horse fetish where they dress up like horses, with hooves and bridles, and lash marks on their flanks. They get ridden and they prance around like abused show horses. So that’s 3 obsessions for the price of one. That’s taking up all my time now (kidding). I have to say I was a little obsessed with guys with tattoos for a while… until I became engaged to one last year. Never take the surfer home from the beach! And I’m always forever obsessed with anything science fiction…Caprica and V being my current faves in terms of tv shows.

What music are you listening to on constant rotation lately?

I have been listening to a lot of DJ’s recently like Chus And Ceballos  Moto Blanco, Johnny Dynell. Eddie X, Larry T and this young up and coming DJ Josh Peace as I am in the process of doing dance re-mixes for the new record with the intent of creating a dance compilation album behind this new album. I especially love the English and Spanish DJ’s. I generally have to listen to a lot of silence to keep my head clear but in general I love artists like MIA, Peaches, MGMT, Tegan and Sara, 50 Cent, Killsonic, Double Naught Spy and Elephant which is a gay twin electro-punk, hip-hop rapper duo. I am also partial to Baliwood soundtracks, Bulgarian hip hop,  Northern Soul, Japanese punk rock, Drum and Bass, Reggaeton etc.. I need a wide variety of music or I get bored fast. They say I have ADDDDDD!!

What’s next in the world of Josie Cotton?

Animal rights has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl so that’s something I will be doing benefits for in the coming year hopefully and I’ve recently become involved in Prop 8 and the same-sex marriage act because I find it pathetic that is still an issue. In terms of my career I have a lot of live performances coming up: LA, some New York appearances in June, doing Toronto Pride in July, and some European dates I’m very excited about. I’m making a new video soon and that’s really the most fun of all, with total control over how I look !! It’s perfect I have a lot of new songs I’ve written, not necessarily for me, that I need to record. And I want to do a lot more writing . I’ve simply fallen in love with the process of writing articles on basically whatever topic leaks out of my demented mind. I think it’s called being an essayist. I’ve written a few things for Magnet Magazine and Punk Globe and I know it’s what I will end up doing full time. It’s my crack. I like myself best when I’m writing. I have this vision of myself 80 years old living in Paris hanging out in cafes writing science fiction novels where I hit people over the head with my cane if they interrupt me.

http://www.josiecotton.com/

Photo by Greg Gorman

Whether it was reading one of her tawdry romance novels for the first time in high school or watching a Lucky Santangelo miniseries on television, almost every woman I know is familiar with the “Queen of Steam” known as Jackie Collins. Selling over 400 million books to date, the British-born author is one of the most fascinating storytellers of scandal in our time. As the sister of Dynasty‘s own Joan Collins to being seduced by Marlon Brando, she knows the lowdown dirty of Hollywood first hand and has made a successful career of it. Her new book, Poor Little Bitch Girl, is about the lives of three high school girl friends, now in their twenties and caught up in their own sordid affairs. I asked Jackie to talk to us about romance, rebellion, her style and even Twitter!

In a time where we can get a good dose of scandal anywhere: the news, reality television, and gossip blogs, what else besides tales of raunchy romps can your novels bring to someone who has never read them before?

Interesting characters. Strong females. Edgy relationships. And the real truth about what really goes on among the rich and infamous. ou are not getting the front page of a tabloid, you are getting the true stories of celebrities with their names changed to protect the not so innocent!

When you came out with your first novel, author Barbara Cartland described it as “a nasty book, filthy and disgusting” and she “hardly slept after reading it.” I can only DREAM of someone describing my writing in those words. What advice can you give to someone who wants to write?

Oh yes, talk of writing a book is easy, but actually doing it is not. So… my advice is get to it, and WRITE!

I always describe today’s technology as a double-edge sword. With sites like Twitter and Facebook, communication with anyone is literally a click away. But in terms of romance do you find that all the texting and instant messaging hinders intimacy?

Not at all. Progress is the internet, and I find communication with my fans quite inspiring. I am obsessed with Twitter (jackiejcollins). It’s so much fun!

You’ve always been a bit of a rebel, from getting kicked out of boarding school at age fifteen to being the “Queen of Steam.” Who are some other women you admire for not playing by the rules?

Angelina Jolie. Wild and wonderful. She reminds me of my favorite heroine, Lucky Santangelo. And I love Kathryn Bigelow. So talented and smart. A woman who definitely does it her way.

Can you give us your five current obsessions?

TiVo
iPhoto
Twitter
Spare ribs at Huston’s
Facebook

Do you collect anything?

Books – everything from current novels to coffee table photo books – usually kind of edgy.
Bronzes of panthers and cheetahs.
Buddhas of all sizes.

I would love to take a peek inside of your closet. What are a few of your favorite wardrobe essentials?

Black pants. Black boots. Black t-shirts! My working uniform. And at night I dress it up with great original jewelry.

Can we talk about a little bit about your sexy affair with Brando or do we have to wait until your autobiography? I just want to know if he was he a teddy bear in the sack or did he throw you around like a ragdoll…?

Yes, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait!! And it’ll be worth waiting for!!

When can we expect the tell-all of your life by the way?

Hopefully next year. Working title – Reform School or Hollywood.

Jackie, I still haven’t figured out menz, I’ve even asked some of them for help! What advice do you think I should I remember when I find the hunk of my dreams?

Always remember that the pleasure you give is the pleasure you get back. Tenfold!

Last question. Will you be my fairy godmother?
Ha! Ha!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I will take that laugh as a YES, Jackie!

That’s not all my boos! We also have a GIVEAWAY for Poor Little Bitch Girl!!! All you have to do is leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win! The winner will be randomly chosen after the contest ends on Friday. If you want… tell us about your own Jackie Collins-esque scandal! GIMME THE JUICE!

Model: Yasmina Bounab. Photo by Michele Pauty

Sometimes a girl’s gotta think outside the norm if she wants to explore her talents. If Petra Isabelle followed the rules she wouldn’t have discovered her remarkable flair for tie-dye. Through her company Pebelle, Petra creates legwear in a rainbow of hues, producing a world of color combinations and patterns never before seen even in my wildest Pantone dreams. I first saw her work in Emma Bell’s S/S 2010 collection, and was later pleased to find some photos of Dandi Wind from Fan Death sporting some purple Pebelle on her gams. See how everything is connected?

Dandi Wind in Pebelle, Photo by Richard Kelly

First, let me confess to you something. I never thought I would like tie-dye. An ex boyf once told me he wanted to buy a tie-dye shirt and Phish and Grateful Dead flashed before my horrified eyes so I told him I would break up with him. (Another confession: it actually pained me to have even typed the words ‘Phish and Grateful Dead’ on this blog right now. NO OFFENSE.)

Flash forward a decade and much like my taste buds, my style buds have also evolved. I am into wasabi, cilantro AND tie-dye now, people. Especially if the tie-dye is the gorgeous handiwork of Pebelle. Here is an exclusive lowdown on this lovely lady!

How did you get started designing legwear?

I have studied textile arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. We had dyeing classes once a week and one day we developed the idea of dyeing hosiery. we loved it so much that we had a full weekend workshop. I was the only one that immediately fell in love with it, but the time wasn’t right. I tried placing them on the market years ago (2002) but no one was really interested, but I never gave up.
In 2004 I finally found my label name Pebelle and in 2008 I totally relaunched it and since then I try to set a foot on the market.

Where did you grow up? Did it influence your design aesthetic at all?

I grew up in the suburbs of Vienna, Austria. It’s a town full of beautiful architecture from the monarchy, lots of green but also very modern buildings. I think my aesthetic perception was surely formed through living in such a wonderful town. I was a typical girl growing up the 80′s at the time of the german new wave movement in music plus in style, so Punk wasn’t far away from me. I can’t tell if it influenced me a lot though, I suppose it has in some kind of way. I have a huge interest in contemporary and street art, so every little walk around an area can have an immense result on me. I do take a lot of pics if I see something that’s giving me the impulse to keep it. I am very alert to visual stimulation so I do love to go to exhibitions, movie-theaters, plays, gigs or just stand. Whatever catches my eye.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Everywhere, it surrounds me wherever I am, I inhale natural phenomenas like the way the light is shining on buildings on late afternoons waiting for the blue hour to arrive ( I love it) , the times in fall where all the trees/plants turn in an explosion of yellow and red tones, the grey in grey winter days with sunlight reflecting on surfaces of snow or after a long time of waiting for spring you hold your breath when you suddenly realize that everything is blooming around you. Colours define my life, I think i live in the right city for it.

Apart from this I love watching people, I just sit in a cafe ( a very Viennese thing to do) at a big square and watch people going by, street scenes and street style draw a lot of my attention.

Models: Karl-Maria Diwisch and Hanna Moessner. Photo by Wolfgang Steiner

What is your design process?

My design process is in a changing process right now. So far I have worked very impulsive: If I was impressed by the last visit to the forrest I was totally going all greens, browns, natural colours, I remember one day standing in the garden of my friend’s house in LA where leaves suddenly caught my eye, the thin yellow lines within the green leaves. Once back in Vienna I tried this design on leggings. Sometimes I just see a print of a car tire on the road and it inspires me to try it on a pair of tights.

The dyeing process is always a big matter of coincidence too so you aren’t allowed to try to be too much of a perfectionist. The reason why my dyes often look different from typical tie dyes is that I do not follow any dyeing rules, the men I’m buying my dyes from is a master of its kind; he often goes a bit pale when I tell him what I’m doing but he also admitted that he would have never had this effects with sticking to the rules.

Right now I try to work more and more with fix colour schemes. I do more than hosiery now, I started with a line of tops, t-shirts, scarfs and am working on a collection of bikinis.The more I start working with whole outfits, the more I try to avoid this feeling of being overwhelmed. I want it to be possible to wear more of my pieces together in a matching ensemble.

Pebelle’s collaboration with Emma Bell for S/S 2010. Models: Harriet Crosby and Elisabeth Resch/ Photo by Wolfgang Steiner

What other artists, clothing designers or otherwise, do you admire?

This could be a never-ending list, it is easier for me to say whose work I do NOT like at all but I won’t do that out of respect.
Designer equals artists in my opinion, I find it hard to draw a line. I think every designer has at least one thing in their collection that I totally love there are thousands of great talents out there and I do not wanna start picking them out. If I have to name one I’d say I love Gareth Pugh, I haven’t seen his graduate collection for Central St. Martin’s but RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME I had a period of two weeks where the thought stuck me that a Pierrot-inspired collection should be done and even I started drawing some sketches, and PENG!: there it was, he did it. For that I love him.

If you could describe your personal style as the love child of any two people/things, who or what would they be?

I probably could imagine I’m a love child of Amélie ( as in the movie Amélie) and Iggy Pop…..yeah, that would be it….

What are your wardrobe staples?

Short dresses in every style, my diesel cowboy boots, necklaces

Do you collect anything?

Oh, dear, yes I do: necklaces, tights (seriously not my own ones), little picture frames from the flea-market – and soon I wanna start on orchidaceous ( i have recently recognized that I do have a hand for them. Once I am old I want to start breeding them…..) My friend works high up in a huge lingerie company, so I do often get little goodies like utterly great 80′s sample tights which never went into production.

Is there a particular decade in history you feel an affinity for?

Yeah, the roaring twenties for their open-mindness and style. My intellectual affinity is more around the changing end of the 19th century, as I do love literature from that time. I once did a series of bags called the 20th-century bags – a trip bag into time – every bag had the same shape but with the choice of fabric, the printed image and the little details each one was matched to once decade of that century. Loved it.

Models: Karl-Maria Diwisch and Hanna Moessner. Photo by Wolfgang Steiner

What are your other interests and hobbies?

I have a 5.5 years old son, he’s hard work and joy at the same time, so I kind of see his upbringing as a hobby. I love visiting foreign countries, discovering cities on my own is a great friend of mine, this hobby is just difficult to organize around my other responsibilities. I love doing yoga, reading and grabbing bargains on flea markets or all kinds of sales.

What’s next for Pebelle?

World domination.

You can find Pebelle at the following!

Pebelle on Facebook

Pebelle on ETSY: pebelle.etsy.com

Pebelle on DAWANDA: pebelle.dawanda.com

VIENNA
1010 Vienna- Bauernmarkt 8 -  ART UP
www.artup.at
1050 Vienna – Margaretenplatz 3 – PEPITA (just Children’s and very small selection of
Tights)
www.pepita.at
1060 Vienna -  Hofmühlgasse 6 – POLYKLAMOTT
www.polyklamott.at
1070 Vienna-  Kirchengasse 24  – AT FIRST SIGHT
www.atfirstsight.at
Germany – BERLIN
10245 Berlin- Grünbergerstrasse 83 – EPPO Fashion Concept Store
www.myspace.com/eppodekker
Wrexham, North Wales- GB
LI11 2 NP  Wrexham 80 Rhosddu Road – Coloured Earth Fashion Store
Barcelona – SPAIN
08002 Barcelona Banys Nous, 22 – GLINT SHOP

USA
Norwood, NJ 07648 – 463 Livingston St, #103 – DAHL COLLECTION