TheSouthSider Interview: Kev Nish of Far East Movement

Thanks to the computer age advantage and 100% confidence in pulling off the intention of doing an interview, Kev Nish of Far East Movement gamely answered my questions which actually brought in worthy infos about him and the group. Let's see how it went.

Describe Kev Nish in three words

Far. East. Movement.

Love your shades by the way. What brand/s of sunglass/es are you donning?

Thank u much. $13.99 on the streets of Tokyo. no brand.

I have been checking out your group and I'm really impressed with your flamboyancy. Tell me, what image would you like to portray as a group and as an individual?

As a group.. image is free wired, free to geek out making sure we go hard just being ourselves while staying wired meaning party all night and staying connected always.. we blog, always carry a camera, we are gentleman partyiers, we always stay free wired. As an individual, just 1/4 of the far east movement, and nothing more.

I am a big fan of "Go Ape" and "Like a G6" and I gotta say your blend of rap and electronica really brought me into a new dimension of contemporary hip hop. Are there any influences that brought you to these type of music?

Hitting 3 clubs a night and different clubs around the world and watching the way djs work the crowds at all hours.. mixing hip hop and dance.. it inspired us to try it live and it went over well so we took that concept to the studio.

Who do you listen to aside from FM?

Right now, lots of cherrytree artists since we go into the office and get cds haha. La Roux, Robyn, Die Antwoord.. and the homie Bruno Mars, Empire Of The Sun.

Name 5 the things that you can't live without.

Tie. Shades. Jacket. Laptop. Music.

Kanye West or Kid Cudi?

Love Cudi but gotta go with Kanye since he produces too.

Can you describe your personal style?

Free Wired Gentleman Party-er.

What are your favorite labels?

Orisue, Joy Rich, Top Man

Any good news you'd like to share?

Our first official album with Cherrytree Interscope records is finally done and coming late fall.. please look out thanks!

Check out the Far East Movement.

TheSouthSider Interview: Ben Lyons

He's an "infamous" young film expert, he's an entertainment journalist, we're not blinded on his red carpet covers, he interviews big stars and we know him for his straightforward opinions. But did we have more of his personal life? Early this week, I bumped into him on Facebook and grabbed the opportunity to throw in some random questions. He gamely answered everything and let's see how it went.

Describe yourself in three words.
Ben: Passionate. Loyal. Hungry.

What was your first job?
I refereed kids soccer games in Long Island. First job in the industry was as an intern at The William Morris Agency where I am now a client.

How does it feel that your family has been successfully covering pop culture in American media for more than 80 years?

It means a lot to me to be able to work in the same industry as my father, and before him my grandfather. I see it as an honor and great responsibility to carry on their legacy.

Best movie ever watched?

Where do I begin? There are so many to choose from. I don't think I can pick just one. I love the films of Spike Lee, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorcese, Woody Allen, and so many more gifted and talented filmmakers. Best movie I've seen in the last few years that many people aren't familiar with is SIN NOMBRE.

Sundance or Cannes?
Sundance. I've gone for the last 5 years in a row, and I can't imagine not being there. It's the best place to watch movies.

Pretending I'm a filmmaker, how can I receive a good feedback coming from a Ben Lyons?

Good feedback? Make a great movie! That's the easiest way. I review the work on the screen so when it's good, it makes my job a whole lot easier. I think the best way to make a great movie is to be honest with the material. Sometimes filmmakers try and do too much and can become their own roadblock. Be true to yourself, to your vision, and the rest will fall in place.

What's your personal style?

I like to dress comfortably, and appropriate. From sweatpants to suits, I enjoy clothes that fit well and are of high quality.

What's on your iPod?
On my i-pod. Young Jeezy. Black Moon. Talib Kweli. Team Facelift. The LOX. Capone N Noreaga. Clinton Sparks. Kanye West. Mos Def. Jay Z, EPMD, B.I.G., Ali Vegas, The Roots. Common. Nas. The Wu Tang Clan. Chester French. So much Hip Hop!!

Favorite spots in LA and NY?

I like Voyeur, The Dime, Angellini Osteria, Mozza, Joan's on 3rd and M Cafe in LA. NYC I love Trattoria Del Arte, La Caridad, Big Nick's, Cafe Habana, Avenue, Sway, Pub aka Macleers, and so many, many more...

Ben Lyons won't be caught dead watching?

Won't be caught dead watching TMZ...ever

Ben Lyons won't be caught dead wearing?
Won't be caught dead wearing Ed Hardy...ever

TheSouthSider Interview: Olivier Borde

Opportunity comes to those who don't bag the first prize too. Just like Olivier Borde's endeavor at the Festival d'Hyeres, he may not be victorious but his wonderful reinvention over classic menswear pieces, which the panels have uplifted him over criticism, surely was a great motivational factor in pursuing his designing career.

Just last week, I was able catch Olivier Borde for an interview. See how the conversation went.

What's the Olivier Borde aesthetic?

Olivier: Well it's a mix of distressed tailoring and romantic sportswear.

How did you get into fashion?

I first got a sewing machine at 14 and start making clothe by myself and loved that. In the same time I was very into Jean-Paul Gaultier aesthetic and I just wanted to studying fashion but started by a sewing technical school because clothe were more important than fashion for me at this point.

But you entered fashion school right?

Then I went to a fashion school program yeah for 2 years.

Tell me about the Hyeres experience

Oh!!! It was so much fun there!! I was in NYC when I got the answer for the selection so I had to fly back to France and make the collection. Then I got to Hyeres and everyone was so nice and fun to hang out with. The Villa Noailles is such a beautiful and inspiring place. We all worked a lot with fittings rehearsals and all but there were no competiton mood between everyone, and the team from the festival was just great and sweet. One of the best experiences in my life for sure.

About the critics?

Well it is such an opportunity for a designer to be there because you meet a lot of people from the industry and have the chance to have a direct feedback on your collection and work. Even if you don't win the prize, which I didn't, lol, being there is a great exposure and it helps so much to start a business.

I second that.

By the way Olivier, what do you think is the edge of French designers compared to others?

I am not really sure we still can talk about a French or German or American edge anymore like we could 5 or 10 years ago. Designers like others are travelling, spend a lot of time on line and I think we are just becoming more "international" minded. Of course we have this thing about "Paris fashion capital of the world" but that doesn't make an edge right?

That's a great point over there. Do you think that's a threat for you?

No, not at all. I am proud to be French in terms of fashion because of all the great designer we have here, but more for the handcraft history and "savoir-faire" [which] France is known for. All my clothes are made in France and it becomes really rare now. It's important to work with your heritage.

About your upcoming collection, what's it gonna be like?

Well I'm gonna carry on doing what I've done so far but maybe more in a denim mood - you'll see in June. Hehe.

Who's the designer you're looking forward to work with?

I would say Rei Kawakubo or Dries Van Noten but i would love to do some collaboration with some heritage brand like Barbour.

Barbour tie up will definitely give us a good story to tell. And DVN or CDG would be so interesting!

Ever tried designing women's clothing?

Well I've been designing women's for 8 years before doing men's, lol, so yeah I've tried.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Was that for Charles Anastase right?

That's right, and also a high end brand from Monaco.

Finally, can you describe me your personal style?

Well I'm more into simple and comfortable clothing type of style. I'm wearing jeans, Nike sneakers, and polos - that's it ! LOL

As long as you're comfortable and confident with it, you're always fashionable. Thanks Olivier!

Hey thank you!!

TheSouthSider Interview: René Gurskov

Growing up with an environment that is related to the basics of fashion, it is not a surprise that René Gurskov would bring and pull out exceptional artistic capacities. Enhancing what has been on him ever since, the Danish designer entered fashion school in Copenhagen for 3 years and had his internship in Paris for 1 year. More of his ventures, Gurskov bought In Circus and then soon closed the shop to transform it into a wholesale company to produce his very own fashion label. Now, he's all over the place and his designs are well publicize, mostly with no bias opinions.

How did you get into fashion?

Rene: Hmm - it seems I was always there. My mother was a home seamstress when I was little so I picked the fabrics and made some stuff for our dolls. Later on i began with paper dolls.

Were you thinking of womenswear by that time? Or just simply generalizing the concept of designing and fashion?
No it was women's - and I am trained in women's. I only began with men's since I never found anything for myself to wear. The last 2 years we have only done menswear.

Two years isn't that long. Do you think you're well equipped with menswear knowledge?
I have been doing mens[wear] in 8 years along with women's and for the last 2 years we do only mens[wear]. But I try to improve all the time.

I see. Well I am big fan of your seasonal collections. How do you conceptualize?
We spend a lot of time making up a story about the guy for the season. The Parade Boy or the Nephew of Miss Marple and so on. I work this out with our graphic guy (the one on our blog).

Do you have a group/team in helping you doing a collection?
Yes I have an assistant and some interns.

Tell me. What's a normal day for René Gurskov?

Well we start a little late. At 10. But first we do the orders we have for the webshop and the pop up store. Then on to production and developing new models. Then dinner and in the evening I make some drawings.

But I noticed that you're active in Facebook all time.

Not it is just on - in the office. I am not a chatter

Oh, that explains.

But anyway, are you open for the possibility of diversifying your campaigns? Like hiring an Asian model?
Yes but there are none in Scandinavia.

For your upcoming collection [Spring/Sumer 2011], what's it gonna be like?

I found a picture of Andy Warhol when he was young- before he became Andy. We relocated [him] to Paris, in Place de Clichy.

On the other note, have you been limiting your designs to avoid recession? Or just keep moving on with whatever pop outs to your mind?
No that has not been our strategy. In fact we have been growing for the last 2 years - so we did not experience any recession.

How far do you think Rene Gurskov would go? Are you open to the possibility of expanding?
Yes we want to take America too.

As a designer, who do you think is your toughest competition?
They tell me it is Jeremy Scott - but I don't know.

Any collaborative news from you?
We did a scarf collection for the MAISON BO-M in Riyadh opening these days.

Finally, what's your personal style?
Now it's balloon pants and all the tees from boysboysboys.de in hamburg and my YSL sneaks - light blue.

Fashionable! Thanks René
You are welcome.

TheSouthSider Interview: Emilio Alix

Emilio Alix may have been in fashion industry for quite sometime now, landing ad campaign for Dior Homme and several top brands, doing major shows in New York, Milan & Paris and being featured in various editorials for some noted magazines, he is quite a pro to this job already. Now let's get some info on how this Argentinian dude made his way to the exciting world of fashion and some random things about him.

TheSouthSider: When and how did you start modeling?
Emilio Alix: I started by chance in 2003. I was dancing in a club and my manager Picky Courtois from Civiles Management saw me and told me about being a model. I said to him that i was going to think about it. Then, I didn’t called him. I had too many things to do. And I had to focus on my studies. Four months later, when I've finished the University, I found his card, and I decided to call him. Two hours later I was at the agency, and the day after I was doing a Levi's casting campaign. I've got the job. Since that moment I still working in the fashion business.

TSS: Did you expect this would come?
EA: Not at all

TSS: How did your life change when you entered this industry?
EA: It changed a lot. Before modeling I was studying Communication Scenes at Buenos Aires University and I also degreed as a Journalist. I was playing basketball, and studying English. So It was a bit different.

TSS: How is it working with Dior Homme and Kris Van Assche?
EA: Working with Kris Van Assche made me grow a lot. I met him in 2005 during Paris fashion week and form that moment we've being working together. When he became Dior Homme designer, he chose me for his first advertising campaign shot by Karl Lagerfeld. That was one the best jobs I ever did. It was really cool.

TSS: Where will you be in the next 3 years?
EA: I'll be happily back in Argentina enjoying my life!

TSS: What was your big splurge?
EA: My new apartment!

TSS: What brand of cigarette do you smoke?
EA: I prefer Red Marlboro

TSS: I noticed you have a big passion for rock music, tell me more.
EA: I have a big passion for music in general. I think this is something that came in my blood. My father used to be a dj when he was a young. I remembered being at home when I was a child, listened to the music that he played. In every barbecue or birthday there is always good music playing! It's our sweet energy transmitter.