iCandy Studios co-owner speaks to the Fashion Police

Ms Gaia Beck

1)Please tell us who you are and what you do for those not familiar with you?

Hi I am Gaia Beck co-owner of iCandy Studios, A multifunctional photographic and video studio in South London. I have also spent many years creating high profile and celebrity parties.

2)Describe your fashion sense?

My fashion sense is laid back, chic.  I like to keep to good quality classics and update my accessories to keep on trend. Of course I like to be sexy as much as possible and keep it tight to save on ironing.

3)What perfume are you wearing as we speak?

Lalique NILANG, I was a gift by a UK Director after hosting the launch of a new store and its now my favourite summer scent.

4)What 2 words best describe you as a person?

Passionate and Driven.  I can become obsessed with what I am working on but in order to achieve success I think you have to put your all in and then reap the rewards later.

5)Tell us all about the icandy studio's?

The iCandy Studios were born from a friendship between myself and the team behind Flavour Magazine and iCandy online.  We wanted to create a space where the creatives that we worked with, fashion designers, photographers, music artists, stylists, models, could come together, hang out, use their imagination in our space and with the time and assistance with exposure we can offer to really reach fantastic new levels.

6)When not working what do you enjoy doing?

I like spending time with my family. I love taking lots of pictures of them as they are all so diverse (as I’m half St. Lucian and half Jewish) and of course beautiful, I often get them into the studio for portraits.

7)If you were to walk the red carpet which designer would you wear?

I would wear my friend J Majebelle.  She’s an up and coming designer, using traditional African prints in funky modern styles.  I know no one else would be wearing my dress and I would definitely turn heads.

8) If you were given 2 tickets to fly anywhere in the world where would you fly to?

I’d like to visit the far east, Japan is on my list of places I’d like to see.

9) What are a few things women do that makes you mad?

Being over dramatic, so many things in life will work themselves out, we really don’t need to make everything, especially our love lives in to life and death situations.

10) Do you think you’re a true representation of a today's woman?

Well in theory yes, we want it all and have to find time to do it all, family, work, love, money, glamour, power.  It’s not easy but that’s what today’s woman has fought for so guess we better not complain.

11) What makes a man a real gentleman?

A gentleman to me is a man who listens and understands what is important to the woman in his life.

12) What do you think of the Fashion Police News Blog?

It’s fantastic, gives great insights into some fab people in the fashion world.

13) What do you think of men who teaches women to walk?

Men can sometimes communicate better with a women, a woman can listen to a man’s advice without it turning into competition.

14) Who are your 4 best friends you would ride and die for?

I’d have to say my business partners Leonard and Annika, we spend so much time together I even see their faces in my sleep.  My ex business partner and baby daddy Ike Le Starr who is such a support and my dad who I run all my ideas past, then ignore all his advice.

15)Where do you see yourself in 6 years time?

I’d like to have a few studios around the world so I can work and holiday, well more holiday than work.  Working everyday with very talented people offers a lot of opportunities to get involved in.

16) What are your top 4 fashion tips you live by?

Dress for your body shape not for fashion.

Don’t be afraid to express yourself.

Keep it classy.

Individuality it key.

17)Describe what true beauty is in your own words?

Beauty is transcendent of physical looks, charm, grace and humility translate your beauty.

18)What are your best assets?

I’m always told I have beautiful skin but my legs aint bad either.

19) What are a few things people say that are so not true that you would love to address here?

I don’t care what people say, I got bigger fish to fry.

20) There are so many other studios like icandy what makes your studio different from all the rest?

The biggest difference is that we at icandy are more than just a space to hire. We offer a very personal service so that the brief can surpass expectations, designers will often come to me with their collection and ideas and we will put together the best team to help them.  We have such a large database of talent and experience ourselves and we are happy to assits our clients and friends so that they get the best results.

Also with Flavour Magazine and Icandy Online we can provide platforms for our clients to showcase and market themselves which is very important particularly for those starting out.

21) If you had the power to choose 4 people of your choice to shoot in your studios who would it be and why?

I’d bring in the original diva models Naomi Cambell, Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford and Mr Catwalk Professor.  Can you imagine that shoot would be fierce?!

22) What are a few things you don't like about the fashion world?

I don’t like the amount of charlatans in fashion, there are so many people in the fashion industry preying on young women, who are very innocent.  Girls have to be careful who they trust.

23) What advice do you have for anyone who is willing to do what you do?

You have to be prepared to do a bit of everything, one day I could be holding a reflector for hours because a photographers assistant didn’t show, making coffee for crying models, dealing with the tax man, painting floors.  Of course there are a lot of fun parts but in the most part it is the preparation that counts.

24) If we was a fly on your bedroom wall what would we be shock to see?

You’d see clothes everywhere, perfumes, make up, shoes, you would think three people slept in there, I have way too much stuff for one woman.

25) If you was to stay home on valentines night with your lover what would you wear and cook?

I love to cook and do so all the time so as Valentines is special I would leave the oven off, the only edibles would be the ones I am wearing . 

26) Any last words to our many blog readers?

Never be afraid to ask, if you don’t ask you don’t get!

If you want to book the icandy studio ask at:

www.icandy-studios.com

info@icandy-studios.com

If you want to feature on line

castings@icandy-studios.com

TCA Mens Couture Speaks To The Fashion Police

Designer Ms Teresa of TCA Mens Couture

1)Please tell us who you are and what you do for those not familiar with you?

I am a men's fashion designer and I design for men who don't want to wear the uniformed trends of todays fashion. I hope that one day there will be no restrictions on men's fashion.  

2)There are so many designers what makes you different from the rest?

I strongly believe that there shouldn't be any gender differences in fashion, men can be as flamboyant, glamorous, sexy and feminine as women. The only option for men to achieve this look currently is to adapt women's clothing which doesn't define their shape properly. My designs incorporate the above philosophy of glamour and beauty but are designed to fit men properly.

 

3)Describe your personal fashion sense?

I love to wear things that make a statement, both socially and artistically. I also like to invest in good, high quality pieces. 

4)How can someone from the other side of the world view your work and learn more about you?

We are about to start a project to redesign our website tcamenscouture.com but we also have a blog tcamenscouture.blogspot.com which has images, reviews and information about upcoming shows. You can also find us on facebook and twitter where we post things that are of interest to us and inspire the designs. If people would like to know more about us they can contact us directly via these platforms.

5)What do you look for in a model who is about to walk the runway with your garments?

In order to represent TCA Men's Couture, models need to be open minded, confident and proud to be different and use their sexuality (whatever it may be) to get over the message. 

6)What makes a good model?

They understand a designers vision and  translate it on the catwalk to create a social statement. 

7)What perfume are you wearing as we speak?

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique 

8)What is more sexy on a man  choose from the following......(1)boxers......(2)briefs......(3)thongs?

The thong 

9)If you was given 2 tickets to fly any where in the world where would you go and why?

Bangkok - because they are liberated and 4 dimensional people. 

10)Which other designer do you look up to?

There are lots, mainly because of their unconventional thinking and desire to push against fashion norms to make statements. If I had to choose just 1 it would be Vivian Westwood.

  

11)If you was to stay home on valentines night with your lover what would you wear and cook?

I would wear a well cut transparent suit and would cook sushi, we hire a ladyboy and woulf eat it off them.

12)What are your 4 fashion tips to live by?

1. Wear what you want 

2. Good make up 

3. Big Hair 

4. The highest heels you can find. 

(This applies to men and women)

13)Who are your 4 best friends you would ride and die for?

1. Ross 

2. Ciara 

3. Jose Pedro

4. Celea Rocha

14)What advice do you have for upcoming designers who look up to you?

Don't follow the crowd, be true to your designs and never give up.

15)If we was a fly on your bedroom wall what would we be shock to see?

That I'm not always nice. 

16)What do you enjoy doing when not working?

Researching

17)Are you single/married/divorced/seeing someone?

I have a long term partner. 

18)Do you think your a true representation of a today's woman?

No I'm a true representation of a today's man, I lead and take the decisions. 

19)If you was given the chance to dress 3 people who would it be and why?

1. Prince - because he is aware of his sex appeal. 

2. Jake Shears - because of his celebrity, his flamboyancy and how open he is about his sexuality  

3. Andrej Pejic - he is very TCA Men's Couture.

20)What do you think of the Fashion Police News Blog?

I think it is great blog and keeps you well up to date on what is going on in the black fashion world, something that doesn't get enough coverage. All information is really interesting and relevant. 

21)What do you think of men who teaches women to walk?

Men teaching a women to walk is more technical and adds a different dimension. 

22)Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

With lots of collections under my belt.

 

23)Where have your clothes graced that you was so amazed to see?

Fashion Mavericks in September 2010. It was my first collection and I was so happy to see the results of my hard work. 

24)Some designers can only design but can't sew can you sew as well?

Yes I can - it is so important that I can because it gives me a better understanding of the process. 

25)If you had the power to change the fashion world what would you change?

The High Street retailers power over trends, there is no originality and all fashion is very safe, some might say boring.

Tv personality to MTV/ITV2 Wearing TCA MENS COUTURE

26)Any last words for our many blog readers?

Don't be afraid of fashion embrace it and do what you want.

U.K #1 Shoe Designer Ms Bernie Hurst Speaks To The Fashion Police

Ms Bernie Hurst

1)Please tell us who you are and what you do for those not familiar with you?

 My name is Bernie Hurst and I am a shoe designer and owner of Nooshooz.

 

2)There are so many shoe designers what makes you different from all the rest?

Most of my shoes have an interchangeable feature so that you can change the whole look or colour of the shoes . However I am designing a new collection which are not interchangeable .

3)Describe your fashion sense?

I like anything that suits me .

4)What 3 words best describe you as a person?

Generous , Perfectionist , Outspoken

5)Tell us all about your shoe business?

I started my shoe business in 2006 after going on holiday with 14 pairs of shoes in my suitcase. I was stopped and charged £169 for excess baggage. It was then I came up with the idea to create and patent an interchangeable shoe .  I have since made shoes for celebrities and royalty and even got a tweet from Kelly Rowland about the shoes that I made for her .

All of my shoes have to pass "The Bernie Test " I have to be able to work , walk , shop and do the school run in all of my shoes . If they don't hurt and are still comfortable after 12 hours then I make them . I put 3 layers of padding in all of my designs . This way you don't see girls with them slung over their shoulder after a night out .A lot of ladies have said my shoes are like slippers with heels . 

 I have clients who have got married in my shoes and have told me that they still had them on after the reception . I have had ladies wear them all day at work and then gone out in them . COMFORT is one of my main priorities . I have designer shoes that my husband paid over £500 for and they have come off after an hour . There is no point in having nice shoes if they are in your handbag .

6)What are your 4 fashion tips you live by?

I never buy an outfit because a celebrity looks good in it . Everyone is different , so not everything suits everyone .  

I always ask my husbands opinion ( he always tells me the truth , not want I want to hear)

I always choose colours that go with my skin and hair colouring .

A bag and shoes are as important as the outfit .

7)What perfume are you wearing as we speak?

Prada

8)What advice do you have for women when shopping for shoes?

Think about the outfits you will be able to wear them with . It is no good having a pair of shoes that you can wear once and then get thrown in the cupboard as they don't match anything else you own. Shoes should be an investment .

9)Can someone design their own shoe and have you make it?

I only make my own designs , I can make a special one off pair with alterations and different colours or fabrics , but they have to be my designs .

10)Up to what size shoes do you make?

I can make up to a size 10 .

11)What colour shoe is mostly in demand?

Silver , black and gold .

12)How can someone from the other side of the world view your work and design and learn more about you?

I have a website . www.nooshooz.co.uk  .

13)If you could provide 2 people with shoes of your choice who would it be and why?

Lady Gaga would be my first choice , I would love to make her an outrageous pair of boots .

And Kate Middleton . I think she is down to earth and she appreciates hard working designers from the UK . She does have my lookbook and her assistant and myself have spoken . 

14)If you was given 2 tickets to fly any where in the world where would you fly to?

I have travelled the world and been to some amazing places , however if I had the choice to go somewhere I haven't been I think it would be Bora Bora .  I would take time out and relax in paradise .

15)What advice do you have for upcoming shoe designers?

Don't give up .

16)What do you think about the fashion police news blog?

I love it . It is honest and says it how it is .

17)If we was a fly on your bedroom wall what would we be shock to see?

My OCD for colour co-ordination . Everything matches .

18)If the fashion police was to have dinner at your home what would you prepare?

I was a qualified chef before I was a shoe designer . So for starters I would make you my signature dish of goats cheese on toasted walnut bread with a redcurrant coulis . Main course would be a nice filet steak with a blue cheese sauce and lots of healthy salad and homemade chips with rosemary and rock salt .

And my dessert would be a refreshing lemon and lime cheesecake .

Although saying that I did a cook off on "This Morning " TV show and I did beat Italian TV chef Gino  with my lasagne  , which was great considering he is Italian

19)What would you say is your best assets?

My feet and my legs, everyone says I have pretty feet and I always get complimented on my legs .

20)As a shoe designer how many shoes do you own?

Personally about 100 pairs .

21)Where do you see yourself in 6 years time with your business?

Hopefully worldwide .

22)Name one thing you just can't leave home without?

my perfume .

23)Any last words for our many blog readers?

If you are looking for comfortable unique shoes then you have found the lady who can make it happen .

Bernie Hurst 
Designer and Proprietor of Nooshooz.
Nooshooz.co.uk 
" Hazeldene "
Arundel Road 
Worthing 
West Sussex
BN13 3ET

Tel: 01903 261806
Fax 01903 533231
Email : Mynooshooz@aol.com
Website : www.nooshooz.co.uk

Top Model Agency Black Diamonds Speaks To The Fashion Police

Fashion Police News Report Exclusive Interview

1) Please tell us who you are and what you do for those not familiar with
you?
Hello Everyone ,This is Kamal Pour Hanifeh 33 years old Persian ,Film
maker , Fashion Photographer, Model Trainer And Owner of Black Diamonds
Models And Talents Consultancy Agency.

 2)There are so many agencies out their what makes you any different?
Black Diamonds maintains a clean reputation in anywhere at any time we do
our business. Good relation to people by maintaining peoples trust is our
priority.
Black Diamonds Models and Talents Consultancy Agency like diamonds started
simple and humble. After a time, perseverance, hard work and pressure we
become pure, tough and precious Diamonds. The symbolic meaning of Diamond
applies to our principle of perseverance, truthful, transparent and at the
same time highly valued and tough better yet we must say “Diamonds are
forever…”

 3)What do you look for in models?
The outer beauty is important and true to all fashion industry. But above
than a perfect figure, well proportioned body, outstanding face value,
captivating beauty and good communication skills which not to mention all
agencies are looking for is the Character and the attitude off a model.
Beauty is a gift from God which once can be posses naturally. But what set
a beauty’s standard is his/her attitude. Models carry an important
responsibility of carrying their selves well. Models represent the
products or company they are working at and for that they are in a job
where people’s opinion matters a lot.
Because of that we are looking for a well mannered, strongly disciplined
and most specially down to earth lovable models. Every model has its
unique beauty but one thing must be present to all. Good Character.

 4)Tell us all about your agency?
Black Diamonds Models and Talents Consultancy Agency have provided a
string platform for models which launch them into national and
international recognitions. Our best groomed and trained Asian and
International Models have roped in famous stylist, councilors and trainers
from all aspect of the industry.
We act as the hub connecting Artists, Professional Photographers, Models,
Media, Business Firms, and the public to highlight the real color of the
Fashion World.

 5)When not working what do you enjoy doing?
Photography of Nature , Watching Movie at Cinema , Reading Book About
Cinema , Computer, and Fashion, And Talk With Friends and My beauty
Parents.

 6)Describe your fashion sense?
I am Simple person but i like to show my good looks with stylish dress up.
How i smell is so important for me to the point that I have my own mix of
perfume. I like Calvin Klein , Pierre Cardin suit coat.

 7)What 3 words best describe you as a person?
Creative , Active , Sensitive

 8)If you was given 2 tickets to fly any where in the world where would you
go?
Paris – France and New York - USA

 9)If you was to walk the red carpet which designer would you wear?
I wear my own combinations since I do it myself. Well probably i will wear
my Dark Blue or Black CK suit coat with white or blue shirt inside. I will
match that with black or blue tie and Blue or Black shoes. For accessory I
must wear My Old Friend "blue or Black Eye Glass and of course for my
Persian Symbol "Ahora Mazda " Bracelet and my Favorite Silver Ring.

 10)What makes a good model?
A good model must act, walk, talk, breath, work even eat professionally at
all times. He/She must know the weight of responsibility that is given to
him/her way above the fame of publicities and exposures he/she is having.
Models give respect to all people he/she is working with regardless of
rule one is participating. He/She value the time, effort and the culture
of every person around him/her.
Models are not divas or royal prince and princess where people will run
after them. They must be humble and flexible in any what working condition
is taking them.
Lastly models must know that above normal healthy living they must know
that their DISIPLINE on how to take care of their health and maintain a
perfect body is very essential.

 11)If you had the power to change the fashion world what would you change
and why?
I never want to change the Fashion world because I believe to the
recycling fashion world , fashion and mode will come from the people,
Personality , life style depending on the time and Location. But I hope I
can show to the world that fashion is not just about what brand you wear
or how much you paid for your fashion style. The most important thing is
how you deliver your feelings to others by your sense of fashion.
Everybody must know we have two important responsibilities. First, about
ourselves and second, about people around us. We are making our
environment. So we can make a good sense for ourselves and give a good
feeling to the others.

 12)Are you married/single/divorced/relationship?
Divorced.

 13)What do you think of men who teaches women to walk?
I think its prideful , Actually I think one man can feel and find best
part of beauties in women and now if one man can transfer this sense,
skill and profession to women I am sure it will do better and perpect.

 14)What do you think of the fashion police news blog?
I like fashion police weblog. But I suggest that if this weblog will be
upgraded to a website with online magazine pages in it, I think it will do
much better. Anyway this is a good opportunity for those people who like
to be a model or interested to know more about fashion world. This weblog
acts as a hub for all artists and models in the fashion industry.

 15)What are a few things other men do that makes you mad?

As a man, I don’t like to say anything that makes a man mad towards
another man. But I think we can show our personality by our attitude and
acts. We just need to keep respect to each other. For me Man and Women are
Equal. 

 16)What are your best assets?
I Am Persian "A PERSIAN ARTIST" and I proud of that.

 17)What cologne are you wearing as we speak?
LALIQUE Black " LALIQUE ENCRE NOIR By LALIQUE For MEN "

 18)What are your thoughts on plus size models on the runways?
Anyway we have to believe to this thinking that everybody cannot have slim
or Athletic body because a lot of people have different conditions that
made them fat or "Plus Size" or at least some of them just like to eat. We
cannot deny these people in our world.
“Actually I find them very Friendly and Lovely people". So we have to show
them that we are here and we think about them as well.

 19)Is it easy finding the right models to represent your agency?
I am looking for various unique models and I have my Standards for Black
Diamonds Models And Talents Consultancy Agency's Official Models. Yes, it
is not easy. Models must pass our qualifications and Classes and other
responsibilities after that. But I believe that we have a lot of pretty ,
sexy , elegant and good models who can represent our company. Our agency’s
doors is open to everybody who desired to be a model.

 20)Do you represent models from around the world are just your country?
We present our Asian Models (All Parts of Asia) to International Market.
We are working as International Modeling Agency with association to our
partners and branches. We are still expanding and creating more branches
all around the world. This is to produce more models from every possible
countries Black Diamonds reaches.

 21)If the fashion police was invited for dinner at your place what would
you prepare them?
With my pleasure! I think Fashion Police must try Persian full colors and
rich tasting dishes.

 22)How can others from around the world view your models and learn more
about your
agency?
We uploaded our new website and we working on to upload our models as soon
as possible. Everybody can find us on www.blackdiamondsmodels.com.

 23)Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I wish we can have our place and more trust and more project in all around
the world so i wish to have more friends who belives us and shake hand
with us.

 24)Any last words for our many blog readers?
Please remember, Modeling is really a professional job and professionalism
will come from your mind. We value our company and our ways. That is why
we work with professional people.
We strongly impose that models must realize that modeling job is a
professional job. Models must keep on guard for abusive people who takes
modeling as camouflage to prostitution which is true to numbers of
modeling agencies online. Keep values to our work and to ourselves.
This is my advise to you all. My best readers, “follow up like
professionals, practice like professionals, think like professionals and
be Humble like Stars.”
God bless you all and Thank you Fashion Police.