Interview With Ise White

 
by James MacLean and P. Lopez

Fashion Stylist Ise White has built an amazing base of celebrity clients including Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, Vanessa Williams and others. And she’s worked with advertising giants like Lord & Taylor and Victoria’s Secret.

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Q: What prompted you to decide to become a stylist? Why did you get involved in the fashion business?

My family is in fashion. Pattern makers, costumers, dressmakers. I grew up constantly among their shops and fabrics, snatching silks or little scraps of velvet to make things.

At some point they had to decide whether to kick me out or teach me something, because I was obviously not going to leave.

Thank goodness the latter won.

Q: What is your favorite article of clothing or accessory?

My boss at Saks bought me my fav pair of Fendi boots.

Q: What is your typical day, or the most challenging part of the day for you?

My job is amazing. I get to inspire teams, put together ideas, and execute them to their best and fullest potential, making sure that everyone is achieving their best.

Q: Is there one look you styled that you would consider your signature “style”?

I always try to work with the situation; for example we would never dress Mrs. Obama the way we style an editorial for Vogue.

It’s about appropriateness.

Q: What’s the biggest “faux pas” when asked to style a celebrity?

Not understanding what their personal style / comfort zone is.

Q: Have you ever had a designer who refused to send you clothes? Or had a celebrity refuse to wear an outfit / or designer?

Absolutely; it’s part of it. Sometimes designers want to send items but have limited samples; or the celeb or project isn’t a priority for them. It’s business, not personal. Most celebrities know themselves, and if they’re refusing, it’s because they know something won’t look like “them,” or it’s simply outside their comfort zone.

Q: Who in your opinion has flawless style? Yesterday, today and tomorrow?

I love Kate Moss, Tom Ford, and who can deny Karl Lagerfeld.

Q: Name three of your favorite shops, and three items every woman should have in her closet in order to have GREAT style.

Shops: Any Old Iron, Assembly, Opening Ceremony.

Every women should have lingerie, up-to-date shoes, and a great bag, every season.

Q: What is your favorite trend right now? Which trend would you like to see pass?

I keep saying this. NO CROCS outside of the garden please, and no pleated khkai pants. My fav trend right now is the clutch. I love what designers are doing with it. Especially McQueen.

Q: Who would you allow to style YOU for an event?

Karl Templar.

Q: What are you wearing RIGHT now?

My absolutely fav, which I haven’t taken off all winter, is Oscar de La renta blue cashmere and silk cardigan with a hood. No buttons, with a tie. And cotton Prada slim-fit pants. Armani Exchange tank top.

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IseWhite.com | On ARTISTS by Timothy Priano

 
ABOUT JAMES MACLEAN

Trend-setting, accomplished and passionate. Those are just a few words to describe luxury marketing expert James MacLean, who has transformed the celebrity product placement industry through events such as GRAMMYS, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, American Country Music Awards, Golden Globes, Spike TV Video Game Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Sundance Film Festival and Grand Prix Monaco. He continues to set the pace and raise the bar in some of the most glamorous settings around the globe.

10 Tips to Keep Yourself in the Good Books for Fashion Week

 
 By Amy Yew, Contributor

New York Fashion Week has a certain allure that leads people to believe somehow only the most classy and chic are in attendance. But when you strip away all that glamour, it’s really a room full of people, dedicated to fashion and (hopefully) inspired by a designer’s vision.

However, this doesn’t change the fact that some things violate the fashion week “code of conduct”.  I’ve seen my fair share of what happens, from the good, the bad to the ugly. Here are some behaviors that will get you blacklisted with your fellow fashion peers.

1. Please don’t eat during the show. To be fair, most fashion shows start later than scheduled, but that doesn’t usually last more than 15 minutes. Crunching on chips or smelling your chicken Caesar sandwich while I’m trying to enjoy a show is not exactly what I have in mind when I think couture chic.

2. If you have a seat, SIT. Okay, I get it: Sitting behind someone who thinks big hair is au courant can get in the way of catching that perfect shot. But by standing, you’re blocking everyone around you, and are forcing your fellow show-goers to do the “lean in” for a view.

3. Don’t push to get in the door. If you have an invite, you’re in! During more than one show this season, I have experienced fear of being thrown to the ground and stilettos stepping on me. This is not a Barney’s warehouse sale. Just because you get in first doesn’t mean you get the best seat. There’s a reason why you were assigned a seat. Let’s just say I was lucky to have survived the Rebecca Minkoff show. It was a near fashion-death experience.

Let’s just say I was lucky to have survived the Rebecca Minkoff show. It was a near fashion-death experience.

4. If you’re sitting in the front row, don’t leave during the show. This may be a no-brainer but I felt it had to be reiterated after the Mara Hoffman show. Please do not walk by the runway as the models are walking in the finale to get out 30 seconds before the show ends.

5. Keep the cursing out of fashion week. Being passionate about something is great, but a constant flow of f-bombs while you’re sitting in a show is distracting and not to mention a little un-classy. It’s fashion week, not a sorority.

6. If you have to cross your legs, keep your feet in. God forbid a model trips over your feet!

7. Don’t steal gift bags. If you have not been assigned a seat or the seat beside you is empty, there is no need to be a Greedy Nancy and steal more than the gift bag designated to you.

8. Don’t keep talking during the show. I’m all about getting to know someone, and a huge “people person,” but having to answer someone every two seconds during a show can get annoying and distracting. If you want to socialize, do it before or after the show.

9. If the director of the show is looking for a seat in the front row, it’s always nice to offer it up. I know that sounds insane. Why would you do that when you have the primo spot at a fashion show? If a director is looking for a spot in the front row, it’s probably important, and they will appreciate it if you offer up your spot. They will usually switch you to another spot that is comparable. A little kindness goes a long way.

10. Mind the freebees. It’s great to get free stuff, but do not take mass samples of freebees. It’s comparable to stealing samples off the hotel cart.

There’s nothing wrong with being eager about fashion, because I feel that way before every show. But bad behavior at shows will get you blacklisted by your fellow peers and may warrant a ban from next season’s show. Just remember: the show must go on — with or without you. But it sure is nice to be included.

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Amy Yew is a researcher and therapist from Vancouver BC. You can also tweet your thoughts on Twitter @AmyYew.