Melody Woodin (Jul,07)

Full name? Melody Eileen Woodin
How old are you? Turned 21 this past April.
Where are you from? Hockessin, Delaware. Very exotic!
Where do you live now? I've been in the city for 3 years, currently in Alphabet City!
What is your favorite show that you've done? Any Dior show. Each one tops the last.
What is your favorite shoot that you've done? I did a shoot for Interview with Albert Watson. They dressed me up like Mark Bolan from Trex. I love classic rock so I was thrilled they booked me for it.
What is your personal style like? Tomboy! I do the skinny jeans look for castings but at home I stick to casual comfort.
Did you complete school? I graduated highschool (Alexis I. DuPont) before moving out to NY. I plan on going to college after modeling...aybe Equine Sciences.
If you weren't modeling, what would you like to be doing? My family runs a horse farm, so every chance I get, I'm out at the barn either giving lessons, mucking stalls, or breaking and training the foals. My heart is out there.
What is some of your favorite music to listen to? Wow tough question... ethro Tull, Crosby Stills & Nash (Young as well), The Doors, The Eagles, The Guess Who, Heart, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin...
What about favorite movies? Jurassic Park, Little Miss Sunshine, Wild Hogs (reminds me of my dad!), Over the Hedge (love animated movies), Fried Green Tomatos.
Favorite books? A Clockwork Orange/Water for Elephants.
What's your drink of choice? Dr. Pepper. If we are talking alcoholic, a dirty, dirty martini.
How did you get into the industry? Were you "discovered" or was it a choice? Modeling, for me, was an alternative to heading into a university right away. I wanted to take time to really think about what I wanted to pursue as a career. I grew up in a very small town, so fashion wasn't really a part of my life. I approached Barbizon in Philly, came up to NY for a modeling and talent competition called IMTA, and was scouted by Roman Young, who was at Supreme at the time.
What are some of the perks of being a model? Perks? Well to be 100% honest, I love being around other girls who are built like me. I know that sounds funny, but when you are 6' and only 115lbs, its easy to feel uncomfortable in your physical shell. My mom would say it is getting the occasional designer piece as a trade...I tend to give them all to her.
Credit: For sure couture
Photo credit: Style

Jodie Barnes (date unknown)

Kuki de Salvertes : Jodie, how did you get into fashion? Tell me how and when everything started.

Jodie Barnes : I have been really into clothes since I was about 3. I guess my interest stems from my mother, who was very glamorous. I remember sitting on the end of her bed watching her get ready to go to parties. She wore a fair bit of Halston and Giorgio Sant Angelo and had the most incredible collection of handbags I have ever seen.
By the time I was 12/13 I was buying The Face, iD, Vogue Homme amongst others and I was really inspired by Anna Cockburn's work (as well as Joe Mckenna and Melanie Ward) and I decided to become a stylist. I didn t really want to go to fashion college so I decided to study English and French literature. I think that was the right choice.
After studying, I did Pr for about a year to get an overview of the industry and then I assisted various stylists for about 3 years.

KdS : About your first shoot. When was it? For which magazine? What are the memories you still have from it?

JB : I was lucky as I didn't test. The first story I shot was with Philip Gay and was called ‘The Laughing Cavalier”. We managed to place it in a magazine called Teknikart. I remember being really happy to have my first ever solo styling job published. It was about 7 years ago.
It really was a lot of fun that day. The story was based around the idea of some kid dressing up in military costume – a bit like young kids do, and we asked the model to jump in a puddle. He decided he would dive head first and he was completely covered in mud – it made a great picture. That was the last shot and he left to go and meet his girlfriend, without having a shower! It was so funny.
I decided that having fun on a shoot was the most productive way of working… and still believe that today.

KdS : What makes the characteristic of your style?

JB : My work is quite simple. If something does not need to be part of the outfit or image, then it is generally not there. I guess my work is classic but a bit weird. I like a little bit of ‘care in the community'. But, at the same time, what I like changes, in the same way that fashion does. I find that interesting.

KdS : What does the Jodie Barnes schedule look like? Is it as complex as we could imagine? How much of your time do you give to magazine editorials?

JB : I devote a huge part of my time to editorials. Since I became fashion editor at arena Homme Plus, my workload has increased dramatically as I shoot both women s and men s wear. It can be really hard balancing the two. I try and keep those people that have been great supporters of mine happy - ie Ashley Heath and his projects, the guys at iD magazine and Jo Ann Furniss, my editor.

KdS : How many shoots do you style each season?

JB : About 6.

KdS : What is your best shoot ever, the one you will never forget? Why?

JB : My last shoot is usually my favourite. I love working with Paul Wetherell. It is always a pleasure, and he has become a friend through working together.

KdS : Actually, what in a designer, a collection, a show makes you enthusiastic, motivates you and inspires you?

JB : I am inspired by people who work hard, and suggest new ideas through their work. There are so many designers, photographers and stylists that I feel have contributed great things to the industry, and each one of those has their own way of suggesting new things, so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what inspires me, but I would say ‘originality' is the most important thing.

KdS : Jodie, is there a life after styling? If yes, what are your future projects?

JB : I am still a baby in the scheme of things so I would hope to have a much longer career in styling than I have had already. This year is as much of an unknown to me as any life I could consider ‘after' styling, but I would say living next to the beach would come high on the list…. Oh and I love kids.

(credit:totemfashion)

Maison Martin Margiela (Oct,2001)

INTERVIEW: Why does Paris equal fashion?

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA: At this stage, its the inertia that this town has amassed over the years. An inertia that draws creativity and those attracted to it into its core. Yet Paris is not essentially different from any other great city "of personality" ... it stands as itself in much the same way as New York, London, etc. Almost a "brand," its "branding" is of a town that embraces a more individualistic creative expression. Those wishing to begin in fashion tend to start and show here because of the concentration of fashion professionals passing through town throughout the year (that inertia again!).

I: Does Paris equal fashion?

MMM: Visitors to Paris will have a much different view on this than those working and living here! Within our profession this is especially true. During the collections and for their duration, for those who are the fashion whirlwind that hits town, Paris can equal Fashion, albeit a specific viewpoint.

I: What difference is there working in Paris as opposed to, say, Belgium or New York?

MMM: When one is ensconced in one's work it can be all too easy to take one's surroundings for granted, no matter where one lives! Paris has many down-to-earth practical advantages for a fashion company established here. As with all other places, there is also a price to pay for this. A lack of direct experience of working in other places leaves us incapable of drawing direct comparisons with Belgium and New York.

I: Why has Paris been so important in the history of fashion--in fact, is it important?

MMM: The wealth of individual talents that it has brought onto itself down through the years. It is as if they have all left something of themselves in Paris, a skill, a vision, a memory ... offered stones, bricks, or even blocks towards the construction of Paris as a "fashion" city.

I: In Paris, is fashion: a) in the air?

MMM: It can be, though it varies--the locations and moments are selective!

I: b) Is it in the water?

MMM: Bottled or tap?

I: c) The tailors?

MMM: Yes, though not exclusively Parisian.

I: d) The craftsmen?

MMM: Ditto for c).

I: e) Is it in the memory?

MMM: Yes, past and recent and not in a moribund way. Paris radiates its own personality in its way, as the other fashion capitals do theirs.

I: f) The consciousness?

MMM: Of some, and often.

I: Do you think that Paris is especially alive right now? And if not, is there a place that you think is very dynamic in this moment? Or is it really all in our minds, anyway?

MMM: We feel that there is a reawakening in Paris on many creative levels: music, art, fashion, etc. The wheel continues to turn and this cycle seems to be bringing Paris through a particularly furtive period again. We are unsure as to whether these elements are reawakening in concert or individually! Is it a "wave" or sheer happenstance?!

I: Do you have a story--any story--that you want to tell us about Paris and fashion?

MMM: We decided to set up shop in Paris 13 years ago and after 25 Martin Margiela collections for women, seven "10" collections (our men's line), as well as seven collections for the women's ready-to-wear line for our colleagues at Hermes, we are still here, growing and learning along the way. And all of this, for better or worse, in sickness and in health! ... a team, glad to be here, to be given the opportunity to continue doing what we love, surrounded by the gifts and talents of all our colleagues in the industry in general, and at Hermes in particular and by Paris this city!

Martin Margiela is the Designer for Hermes women's ready-to-wear and the co-Founder and creative Director of Maison Martin Margiela.

Interview credit: Interview magazine
Image credit: sonnyphotos

Hedi Slimane (Oct,2004)

The shape of time: why the new watch from Christian Dior Homme designer Hedi Slimane is anything but bling-bling as usual

JOSEPH ERRICO: Let's talk about your new line of watches for Christian Dior Homme, which will be available in Dior boutiques this fall. What inspired the designs for the three versions?

HEDI SLIMANE: I've always been interested in watches that look scientific, like the ones used in the army. It was about measuring time very precisely and graphically. They're more minimal than most.

JE: This is a very technical watch, for a real watch enthusiast. And instead of putting precious jewels around the face which has been the trend lately--you put them on the back and inside so the watch will operate smoothly.

HS: Yeah. I'm a bit old school in terms of watches. I have an uncle in Switzerland who is an expert on old collectable ones, so I knew I didn't want to design a fashion watch. I view this watch less as an accessory than as a device for living.

JE: What was your overriding inspiration?

HS: I started with a simple idea, but I subverted everything; every aspect of the watch has been reworked. It's all a bit asymmetrical; I took in a bit here and put it back over there. I approach design in a very horizontal way, but then I like to add some element that will break it, like graphisme in the mid-'20s. That's how red was used there and also with these watches. It means you have to start all over again, which, of course, is what "reset" means.

JE: How do you think the concept of time has evolved in the 21st century?

HS: I think there's a different sense of time: time for others and time for oneself. Personally, I've learned to do less of the things that I don't care about.

Interview credit: interview magazine
Image credit: nownow