 My questions are in pink!
Glamour Junkie: When did you first become interested in a career in fashion design?
Carlisa: I am a big fan of music so when you look at the fashion of the music industry that automatically melds the 2 genres together. So fashion
and music go hand in hand and it attracted me to the expression of
yourself through clothing and style- and a bold personality to wear Pink Cookies written on a shirt.
Mylah: Ever since I was young, I've always loved fashion. From the new trends celebrities in Hollywood were sporting to the artists in the music industry representing their individuality through their music and personal style. I didn't set out to have a career in fashion..My dream was to be an entertainment reporter. Like you..I planned to be on House of Style..or even a MTV VJ. But, where I have found myself..I am very happy!
Izumi: I began Making my own clothes when I was 3, you couldn't keep a needle, thread and a pair of scissors away from me. It was my first phase in fashion. Then every dance in highscool, ie:homecoming, proms, I designed every dress and had it made. I even designed one for my friend...just for fun and to be different and unique. Since then I always had an eye and passion for fashion. It became the perfect creative outlet for me in contrast to my other passion in life...Acting.
GJ: Growing up, who were your fashion inspirations? Did you try to copy their looks?
C: Fashion inspirations? Hmmmm tough for me to answer- anyone who dressed to express themselves - not to copy anyone- Musical Artists that did that for me as far as fashion and style - Madonna, Blondie, Shirly Manson, Gwen Stefani, & Janet Jackson. As for me I was a fashion victim for a while- haha maybe you'll get a pic.
M: I've always loved Janet Jackson, Madonna, Gwen Stefani and any
person with their own sense of style. Yes..growing up I did copy
Madonna's plastic bracelet look and neon tights.Thank God there are no pics to show.
I: OOOH Yeah. Madonna of course.I was all about neon and black mesh. And remember the baggy pants from those MC Hammer days? Call me a victim--I swore I looked good. Music drove fashion in those days and it still does today.
GJ: How did you learn to airbrush and create the works of art you make for a living?
C: I learned at Six Flags Magic Mountain while in college- and I never really wore any airbrushed shirts ever- they were plain and one dimensional- but the timeframe it brings you back to is a great time- plus my Pink Cookies partners make airbrush look updated, animated and styled.
M: Carlisa is our artist. I just like to sit back and watch while
throwing out different ideas or colors to paint. I don't like getting
my hands dirty.:)
I: Carlisa airbrushes; I help think of designs and colors, but then
I take the shirt and shape it, finish it, and bedazzle the hell out of
it. Thus our finished product.
GJ: How did Pink Cookies get started; what did you do to establish the business?
C: June 2001 is the official Start date of Pink Cookies Clothing- I walked into my business partner and friends work (Mylah) and said, "we need to start airbrushing again and make some shirts"- and she started spewing out ideas so... I know it isn't too glamorous but it was the start of the idea- then it grew and we want it to grow even more!
I: Carlisa was inspired to paint, then came the name...Pink
Cookies. It was the result of some sort of brainstorm event I was not
present. Then came our Logo... HOTT! How cute is she? Her name is
Salley from the Valley. Since that, it has been a whirlwhind of ideas and people and a magnet for people to become involved in our movement in fashion. We all work to enhance our business by networking and talking about it. It's our Baby. We have a constant stream of fresh ideas with styles and marketing. My concentration is on look and appeal (design) but Carlisa pretty much has organized our vision into the business it is today and into what we hope it will become in the future... Big Time!!!
GJ: I had to ask: Who came up with the name Pink Cookies and does it mean anything?
C: We were going to name the company something different- but we decided it was too limiting for womens appeal- so we were at happy hour at Red Rock in Los Angeles- and had a napkin and pen (like everyone says they do) and we started writing movie titles that we liked- song titles- old school song titles and there you go Pink Cookies was born- (LL Cool J's Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed By Buildings) and it has many meanings besides.
I: Mylah And Carlisa Came up with the name. Its edgy and sexy for
those who know what it means and just plain adorable to those who
don't. What does it mean? Well, what makes a girl a girl? Her Pink Cookie. Its very empowering to me, and fun and funny. And it celebrates the girl in all of us.
GJ: You live in Los Angeles. For those of us who don't live in the city, tell us a little about living there, and how the culture influences the fashions.
C: Very culture rich- people think they need to dress or act a certain way to come here or live here but in reality there are no rules in Cali- thats what is so cool about it, you can never be dressed wrong...well maybe :)
M: I've lived in a few different places and hands down.. LA is the place with a variety of culture and style. A person can get away with wearing almost anything..Quote..Almost Anything.
Living here in LA has been interesting. It calls forth a mecca of
culture from all over the world due to the imminent presence of the
entertainment industry. Personally it has driven me towards creating a sense of style. Uniqueness without being wierd, comfort without being sloppy. You want to turn heads without offending. If you wear what makes you feel good and you feel good in it thats all that matters ATTITUDE. there is tons of it here in LA. I love it.
GJ: Have you had any celebrity clients or encounters?
C: Lot of encounters but my sister and partner Izumi can tell you more about it. But I think I have seen ALOT of famous people here- I just don't go up to them- I leave them alone. But I do have a funny story : I was living in my apartment in Hollywood last year and I was in my pajamas and my hair was in a big icky afro, and Mylah (Pink Cookie) was downstairs and called me to come down and let her in- and i said on the way to the elevator I hope I don't see ANYONE cuz I look like sh*t (& I usually don't care). Then I get in on the 4th, I see noone, but then the elevator stops on the 2nd floor and I look up and MARK McGRATH from Sugar Ray walks in- hahahahahahhaha, He was with a date I think he was asking her how to get out and she ignored him so I told him - so he saw me not in my finest moments but he was cool but he was the last guy I wanted to see right then.
M: You see celebrities every so often. Doing the normal everyday things we all do. Sitting at Starbucks, eating lunch at the hot dog stand on Melrose, even at Home Depot. I'm not one to get star struck but when I saw Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston while out having dinner.. I did freak out..Just a little.
I: Many. We have many friends neatly hooked into the industry that are not afraid to support. It's awesome. I can't wait to see how much of our clothing was featured in the new movie "Bringing Down Da House" with Queen Latifah And Steve Martin (props to wardrobe!). Hooked up.
GJ: What inspires your designs? Do you have any favorite celebrity fashion icons you follow?
C: What we think looks good.
M: I think the inspiration comes from all different places.
Whether it is the past we are thinking about, the present or the
future. Once we are sitting together brainstorming the ideas just flow. We like to keep the ideas and styles fresh and new.
I: Movies and Music inspire me the most. Some fashion icons I like are J-Lo and Gwen Stefani. They're hot and sexy and most importantly, their style really reflects who they are and also compliments their power, beauty and strength.
GJ: What do you think of Christina Aguilera's new style?
C: I can understand Christina's new style- if I was rich and can sing my butt off then I would want to wear anything I want and get a little crazy with my look. Especially since she was told what to wear before, now she has some freedom and she is running with it- she will settle down.
M: Hey, as I say...It's all about one's own personal style.. More power to her!
I: I like it. Sometimes she can go overboard...almost tacky.
But all is good in Music. I say let her fly, she's got the voice to
back it up. It's not all flash, ya know? I respect her.
GJ: How about Paris and Nicky Hilton?
M: I like their look. It's all about what you like.
I: Lucky girls. I wonder what they're like to party with. They got style.
GJ: Can each of you explain a little bit about your own personal style?
C: Well, my sister Izumi and Partner Mylah have all the style- but mine is functional, comfortable and practical. I like to work and get dirty and play dirty so it's jeans with a tight tshirt for sure and sneakers.
M: My style represents how I feel at that moment. I can be in Jeans and a T-shirt one minute then all dolled up the next. That's what I love about Pink Cookies is that our clothes can be casual and dressy at the same time. It's all about how you feel!
I: I always need a lot to choose from. My fashion reflects my mood. Today, I love my Paper Denim jeans with my Pink Cookies boy beater tank, my Steve Madden boots, a hat and a shawl. Comfy and stylie.
GJ: What is the fashion philosophy behind Pink Cookies?
C: We wanted to touch on the "good old times" of when we grew up. We are valley girls to the core basically proud of where we grew up how we grew up and appreciative of our roots. Thinking that many feel the same way we do, we chose a look that is familiar but updated for the sophisticated taste of an American generation. Revisiting those "good old times" is what PinkCookies evokes. Hip hop, urban, unique wear that makes you look good, expresses you and hopefully makes you feel good. We spend an hour making each airbrushed, cut and dazzled item because it represents our customers.
~Izumi, Mylah & Carlisa~
M: We love it so WE HOPE YOU DO TOO!
I: To create clothes that enhance the girl in every goddess.
There you have it. Peace.
|
