Category: Interviews

Ingrid Michaelson – Indie Success Via Prime Time

Indie pop crooner Ingrid Michaelson found fame in the unlikeliest of places —Old Navy. While her singles had already put the un-signed artist toward mainstream success, thanks to the January 2007 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, the national exposure via the clothing company streamlined her career—with a million downloads and a Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit. Unlike other indie artists who have found their way into mainstream success via “selling out” and overexposure, Michaelson was able to lap in the luxury of ultimate creative freedom, thanks to the television shows and advertisements who liked her just the way she was. If you love the soundtracks of Grey’s or simply can’t get enough of this singer/songwriter from New York, hit uphttp://www.stubhub.com/ingrid-michaelson-tickets for your Ingrid Michaelson tickets and more!

After the success of her second album, Girls and Boys, and under the pressure of keen fans, the artist released Be OK, a compilation of never before released singles along with some old-school covers (which even included a new version of her hit single “Way I Am”). The title track and video’s profits are benefiting Stand Up to Cancer, while part of the album’s profits go to the organization as well. “I wanted to put something out as a gift to my fans,” the 28-year-old singer told Songwriter Universe Magazine. “I still feel funny saying the word ‘fans,’ but people who’ve responded really strongly to my music know a lot of these songs because they’ve heard me play them live. A lot of people have said they really wanted to be able to have them to listen to, and I wanted to give them that.”

And though the singer first gained attention for not working with a major label, the independence has left her position in the music industry even more lucrative. Creating her own record label with manager Lynn Grossman, the indie artist found that the only real shot at seeing success was through a global distribution deal. The deal allows her albums to actually make it to stores, along with bonus promotions that hook up her with radio and surprise, surprise, connections with licensing companies that pitch her material to film supervisors. Without a major label, however, Michaelson is able to keep her creativity to the extreme, without big-time execs breathing down her neck. “The key to thriving as an indie is finding the right people to work with and who believe in you—but I don’t look down on artists who feel that a major is the best way for them. If I ever do hook up with a major, I would probably consider a joint venture which would allow me to retain my independence, keep rights to my songs and maintain artistic control.” Since the success via the hospital drama and a sweater advertisement, the soft rocker has seen her singles appear on WB’s One Tree Hill, as well as the soundtrack for the Sarah Jessica Parker hit Sex and the City: The Movie.

Written By Meaghan Clark

Julia Anderson (“True Beauty”)

Julia Anderson, Winner of True Beauty and People Magazine‘s 100 Most Beautiful People, Is Living Life with No Regrets and Taking Her Dreams to a Whole New Level

“I went to the show promising I’d stay true to myself, my beliefs, my convictions, and that I would not do anything that I regretted.”—Julia Anderson, Winner of True Beauty

Little did she know that her friend’s suggestion to enter the True Beauty competition would lead to a career-altering path. Julia Anderson had recently competed in the Miss Texas competition, which didn’t go as well as she had hoped, and decided to go to an audition her best friend found online.

“Are you gorgeous? Do people stare at you when you walk into a room?”

Thinking the ad was ridiculous, but still curious, Julia was just looking for something else to do. “I just happened to have the day off from school and my three part-time jobs at the time. I saw it as a sign, so I thought I’d go ahead and go to that audition. From one callback to another, I ended up in LA and on the show.

How many competitors were there trying to get on?

There were hundreds, no, thousands of people. The show had traveled all around the world looking for contestants.

What an honor to be named the winner out of all those people!

It really is an honor, and I am so blessed. It’s such a cool show to have won. It makes me feel so great for my family . . . and they’re excited . . . and it shows how I was raised. It’s an honor for all of us, my entire family.

What was the experience like?

Reality TV is difficult (laughs). You don’t ever really know what’s going on and they keep you in the dark about everything. So it was rough. I’m not going to lie. No music, no TV, no books, no magazines . . . nothing. So I was by myself with these other contestants for a long period of time. And yeah, we were in a gorgeous house, but still we had no idea. You were literally living on the edge of your seat the entire time because you had no idea what was going on. It was a good experience. I learned a lot about myself, a lot about patience and how to live with nine other people in a house.

Did you find that there were some people who were particularly difficult to live with while you were doing the show?

When you’re sharing a room, a bathroom, and a kitchen, it does get rough. Everybody was good about switching out everything and sharing, and everybody on the show really was great. And so we were all very understanding.

What was your reaction when you realized that it wasn’t about the outward physical appearance?

I went to the show promising I’d stay true to myself, my beliefs, my convictions, and that I would not do anything that I regretted. I didn’t want to embarrass my family or my friends. If it had been any other reality show, I probably would have been the first one to get kicked off. It was just an honorable moment for me. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling once I found out.

Did you discuss with your parents how you were going to be on the show once you actually got on it?

Of course people warned me about reality TV, the editing, the production, everything. I was cool. I knew that I was not going to do anything or say anything that I normally wouldn’t do or say. Reality TV isn’t bad if you go promising just to be yourself and don’t change and don’t do anything where you’re going to have regrets.

Were you shocked, or did you already have an idea that there was more to this contest?

All of us contestants had no idea that there was more to the contest. Little things would happen that were quite odd and strange. But we thought that it was just the producer trying to get in our heads, trying to produce drama to make good TV. Whenever funny stuff happened, we really had no clue that we were being judged on our inner beauty.

There would be times where I would seriously look around the room for hidden cameras and couldn’t find any. And now when I watch the show, there were actually hidden cameras in there, especially the first episode when we were getting our beauty graded. They left all of the contestants’ medical files right on the seat next to me. I thought, “What’s going on here?” So I looked around and I really could not find any cameras. In that episode there were five cameras zooming in at every direction. Technology is crazy.

It almost seemed like they were trying to trick you into going against your natural impulse. If it was me, I would have been dying to see what the other contestants’ results were.

I wanted to look at the other contestants’ pictures, but I didn’t want to touch the files because I knew that was wrong and basically illegal.

What was the most challenging part of the true beauty competition?

It was really not having any idea what you’re doing. One day they’d say get up, put on some clothes, we’re going to go camping. You just have to be ready for anything. And that gets exhausting, challenge after challenge. You just want some normalcy.

Do you have any fond memories?

All of the people were really great. We really had a lot of fun together. Whether it looked like it or not, we really are all still friends. We all keep in touch, and we really all learned a lot about ourselves because of each other. The most memorable time was when Ray kept running around the house naked. I try to forget that, but I can’t (laughs). Ray was the surfer, long hair. Then Billy and Joel were asleep (they’re the old timers), and Chelsea, Laura, Ray, and I were so bored that we resorted to playing hide and go seek. And then we decided to get our bed sheets, cut holes in them and pretend like we were ghosts and we tried to scare Billy and Joel. We were acting ridiculous, and that didn’t make TV?

Nobody in the house knew how to cook. Ray could cook turkey burgers, Laura could cook spaghetti, and Billy could make protein shakes, and that’s it. I was basically the designated cooker and that’s scary because everybody back home knows that I’m not a cook. I try, I have the best intentions, but we had Mexican fiesta every night because my specialty was chicken fajitas.

As a former beauty pageant winner—Miss Grapevine, right?—how do you think those pageant experiences helped you during the true beauty competition?

During True Beauty everyone kept referring to me as a pageant girl, and that’s simply not correct. I was a girl that did pageants. I did it for the scholarship money. It allowed me to do my community service, have my platform, and it opened a lot of doors. When people ask me if the pageants helped in any way, I say not really. It’s the way I was raised really. You have to be ready for anything or for everything. It’s about your character or how you handle yourself and the way you handle certain situations. Some pageant people are experienced in that, but I think mine’s just from the dedication of dance I’ve gone through my entire life. I would say dance has helped me more than the pageants.

Can you tell me about your dance experience?I started dancing when I was about 2-1/2 years old. I’ve been dancing ever since. It’s my passion. It’s my love. It’s what I do. It’s literally the best therapy. I dance almost every day. I take classes. I dance semi-professionally; however, I’m focusing on other things right now; but really dance is my passion, and that’s what’s gotten me where I am today as far as confidence, time management, discipline, etc.

What kind of dancing do you do and what is your training?

I am a performer for two different entertainment companies. I travel around the country for corporate events. I’m a magician’s assistant, too. I’ve studied ballet, tap, and jazz, and point my entire life. Tap is my specialty. My #1 influence and who I look up to the most is Savion Glover. He’s an amazing tapper.

What are your ultimate career goals?

I want to be a respondent, a host, or a reporter. Get paid to talk. I’d love to have my own talk show and hopefully be an inspiration to other people as well. True Beauty has opened so many doors. Tyra Banks, one of the producers, hired me as a correspondent for her show. She’s helping to make my dreams come true. She’s an amazing person, and I am so grateful for her.

You hear about these reality show people who win the competition and you never hear about them again. How has your life changed since the contest?

Since winning the contest, my life has changed quite drastically because I moved from Texas to LA and am pursuing my dreams. It’s opened so many doors. The prize money gave me the chance and ability to move. As far as everyday life, things are the same. Nothing has changed as far as my personal life, but as far as my career, it has changed overnight. I still spend time with my friends and family. I work. I play with my two doggies at home.

So what was it like to be one of People Magazine‘s 100 Most Beautiful People?

Being in People Magazine‘s 100 Most Beautiful People issue is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Everybody goes to pick up that magazine. I buy it every year to see who made the list. I like to see who made the cut or not. And I made the cut this year! If you have dreams, pursue them and follow your dreams. If you can dream it, achieve it . . . really! I still get giddy whenever I think about it. I’m so excited. It’s such an honor to be a part of that magazine.

I remember something you said on the show, that you wanted to enter the Miss America Pageant and that you felt perhaps by winning the True Beauty Contest, it would help you get the recognition you need to help you win the pageant.

Not really. When I was Miss Teen Texas in 2002, I received a public intoxication ticket, and I gave up my title. I was depressed for a number of years and down in the dumps. Then I realized one day that you can’t lie around and have all these regrets. You have to really learn from your mistakes and move on. I can go and I can teach other kids not to make the same mistakes I did. I can be a learning tool. And that’s really why I went back to pageants. I won Miss Grapevine. I went to the Miss Texas organization as an outlet for that. But True Beauty was really a better outlet—national TV. It’s okay if you make mistakes—just learn from them. My new saying is “Have no regrets.”

Do you think that there will be another True Beauty contest?

Yes, I think there will be another contest. A lot of people ask how it could happen if everybody already knows the secret. But Ashton Kutcher kept “Punked” going for a long time, and he’s one of the producers.

What is your definition of beauty?

I hate when people ask this question (laughs). Being 100% comfortable in your own skin whether you are short, tall, large, or small doesn’t matter as long as you love who you are and are comfortable with who you are. That’s my definition of true beauty.

Are you a role model?

To have come from almost nothing and come to where I am today shows so many people if you dream it you can achieve it. I think it’s so true. I realized I made mistakes and I’velearned from them. I’m really hoping that other people can see that it’s okay if they make mistakes, too and learn from theirs as well.

What are your own beauty secrets?

Hydrate. I try to go to the gym almost every day or every other day. I use a moisturizer. I’ve learned that less is more. I used to have eyelash extensions and those are long gone. Embrace the natural beauty. And that’s my number one beauty secret.

Lowest Low & Highest High

I was a dancer my entire life and I got into pageants because talent was 40% of the overall score. Then I won Miss Teen Texas. It was a huge dream of mine. Once I started pageants, I realized what you could do. The doors had opened. The people you can touch . . . it was a really huge honor. I messed it up. I did something really bad. I was a hypocrite. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I realized you can’t sit around and have regrets. My highest high was realizing on True Beauty that we were being judged on our inner beauty. I just remember thinking my family was going to be so happy, and that was definitely my highest high.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a reality show?

They’re fun, you learn a lot about yourself. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t do anything you will regret. Think about your friends and family who will be watching—young and old, and stay true to yourself.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

October 2009 Face of the Month – Jane Tsareva

Where would you like to live?

I would love to live in a place where I could enjoy freedom of thought and action. Probably somewhere where I could get in close contact with nature and be able to look at the stars without any interference of city lights.

What quality do you most admire in a man?

I admire men that are respectful and patient.

What quality do you most admire in a woman?

I admire women that are not afraid to speak up and stand up for themselves. Also, I like women that try to achieve their goals in life.

What is your favorite occupation?

My favorite occupation is probably the one where I could get respect for what I do. I love modeling. It brings out a creative side of me and helps me achieve self-realization.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My most marked characteristic is the ability to never give up. Even though I may not be able to accomplish everything I would like to, I always try to find new ways of achieving my goals.
Also, I am never mad for a long time. My brain always tries to find excuses for me to forgive a person and to say, “I am sorry.”

What do you value most in your friends?

In friends I value the most when they value your opinion and no matter what you are unique and every situation you are in is unique. Also, I value friends that don’t pressure you to do what THEY believe is the best for you.

What is your dream of happiness?

When you are understood and valued by people who are important to you.

In what country would you like to live?

There is probably no particular country, but rather a combination of the best qualities of many countries. Such as the United States for its endless opportunities, France for its food and wine, Italy for one of the most beautiful and ancient cultures, and Russia because it is just a part of who I am.

How would you like to die?

Honestly, I would not want to die. But if I do, I would like to die without any regret that I have not done something that I could have, or that I have done something that was not something I should have.

What is your motto?

My motto is my success: the more you succeed the more you try next time.

An Interview with Ami Vashi – Miss India

Ami Vashi’s plane was leaving in a couple hours, and she was calm when she told me that she could text me from Hong Kong if there was anything else that I needed, and that she’ll see me in a month. Ami has had an amazing life for her young years. She is an exotic beauty who was born in Los Angeles and received her degree from USC in finance. She was later recruited as a financial analyst in San Francisco. While traveling in Mumbai, she was scouted for the Miss India compeitition.

What made you enter the Miss India competition?

It was my nana’s idea.

What are your future plans?

Like other winners, I’m focusing on the Miss World title. I feel honored to represent India and am looking forward to bringing the Miss World title there. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

How would you utilize the title ?

I am already in the social sector and I would like to help generate funds, and use those funds to help out the less fortunate.

What do you think is the reason so many women from India are winning international beauty titles?

The rich Indian cultural background, strong family ties, good education, and the professional grooming that we get before an international pageant help a great deal. Finally, it’s the confidence and the way we carry ourselves. This may surprise you, but it was really my Nana’s idea to send my pictures to the Miss India contest because she thinks I am the prettiest woman in the world. My brother who is a dentist and sister who is a dietician came especially from the United States just to cheer for me in the finals.

Interviewed by Ash Gupta

Ash Gupta Studio 838 September 2009 Recap

Studio 838 opened the fall season with a complete vertical campaign, from print to television commercial spots, for high-end jewelry company Highglow Jewelers. Also reinvented in September was starlet Rachelle LeFevre of “Twilight” fame who shot with Ash at one of Bel Air’s most infamously sumptuous residences to produce an editorial that, like her character in the films, is truly timeless. Meagan Good, “The Unborn” star, was also photographed by Ash Gupta for the cover of WNWN Magazine. The cover is all “rock-and-roll-north of sunset-sultry cool.”

Another chapter of the fine art series, “The Silk Web,” was shot with Jasmina Hgdada of Vision Models. Additionally, Ash conceived and shot the fine art coffee table book, Black Truth Midnight, featuring Max Ryan, who will be starring in the upcoming Sex and the City sequel opposite Kim Catrell, and Niki Sabet of Ford Models. Niki Sabet was also featured in the experimental collaborative art project with designer Maggie Barry. Images from this fine art beauty series titled “Wrapped in Beauty” will be printed on textile, which will then be sourced and cut for an exhibition, and fashioned into Maggie Berry’s new line for L.A. fashion. Another upcoming exhibition will be titled “Ashley”—this collaborative event/show features Ash’s photography and American painter Ashley Longshore. Part of the proceeds from both artists at the show will benefit women’s cancer research. Malibu designer Shannon Lewis of bubululu was shot for an upcoming campaign featuring her trademark eco-conscious Balinese-made bamboo textile casuals and swimwear. Finally, rounding out September, the magazine Acted By interviewed Ash and the studio for an article detailing the art and exploits through

Honeydew Intimates – An Interview with Creative Director Benny Zafrani

Honeydew Intimates consists of sexy, soft, and unique intimate apparel that appeals to a wide range of women. The colors and styles are fun and flirty, just what every woman needs! I interviewed Benny Zafrani, who is responsible for the creative direction of the label.

What made you decide to create designs for intimate apparel?  How did Honeydew come to be?

My father, Motty Zafrani, started a company that manufactured intimate apparel for different labels. After I joined the company, I began to seriously think about the future and how we already had everything in place to produce our very own brand. I then carefully studied what was already in the market and found that there was a serious need for more fashion-forward lingerie at more accessible prices.

How long has Honeydew been around?

Honeydew Intimates was launched in 2002.

Who is your demographic, what age, etc.?

Our target demographics are young women from their early teens all the way to women in their 40s. They’re from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds who want something a little more glamorous in their intimate apparel.

Your designs are colorful and extremely feminine.  What fabrics do you use?

One of our main objectives for the line is comfort. We use the finest fabrics with the softest hand, from microfibers and modal to cotton, rayon and lace trims.

What determines how you will create a collection?

When creating a collection we first consider what the brand is all about-color, fun, a touch flirty, and ultimately fashionable. From there we go through fabric choices, prints, details and colors that we see are the season’s leading trends.

How would you say Honeydew compares to some of the other intimate apparel?

With all due respect, there’s no other line like Honeydew Intimates. It’s very specific in itslooks and price points. We’re the go-to brand for women who want to project a certain innocent sexiness, a confident sense of style, all at prices that give them more fashion for their buck.

Who makes up the design team, andtell me a little about your/their background.

I’m responsible for the creative direction of the brand.  I earned a business degree from Cal State and have been in this business for nearly two decades. I work on many different aspects of the brand to ensure that the entire company is on the same page to achieve ourcommon goals. The design team and I also benefit from inputs we take from our customers and what’s going on in the fashion industry. Other members of my family, including my father, pitch in with his invaluable business experience and my two brothers Jim and Liron, who together ensure a smooth and trouble-free atmosphere and operations.

Highest high designing Honeydew?

Whether it’s seeing someone like Rebecca Romijn or Angelina Jolie wearing the line in a magazine spread or just knowing that customers are responding to the line brings a creative satisfaction that we always appreciate. To know that the collection we worked so hard on is being bought by women across the country is what we strive for.

Any lows?

There are no lows, simply challenges to be conquered and they only serve tomake my work always interesting.

What advice could you give to someone wanting to design lingerie?

Be bold and don’t be afraid to take chances. Learn to take criticism but believe in yourself.  Laugh at your mistakes and learn from them.

Go into detail about your current collection.  What’s in store for the next season?

Right now we have some fun sporty looks from striped cami and boxer brief sets, zig zag striped bralette and panty sets, Under the Sea boyshorts, featuring a soft, striped elastic band, along with panty and low-rise thong versions in sea horse, frog and shark prints; Sailboat & Anchor mesh panties with great coverage and matching bralettes; full coverage panties with a lace band and silk screen images printed on the back; Super “Dew”-per Low Rise Thong that hangs very low and made more comfortable with a supple softy wide lace band, available in ombre, animal, or neon leopard prints. As usual, we’reshowcasing a lavish range of colors: the Super “Dew”-per Low Rise comes in cream, black, dove, phantom, cross-dyed shades of bubble gum, banana and peppermint; fine mesh boyshorts are available in super pink and scuba blue; while other styles are available in turquoise, purple, raspberry, and polka dots. Next season we have some really exciting pieces, including a neon group, preppy and fabulous prints, some really beautiful jewel-toned pieces, and a hot Bridal-Dew group!

Where can our readers purchase Honeydew?

Honeydew Intimates is available nationwide from specialty boutiques to major department stores, such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Dillard’s, as well as on our website www.honeydewintimates.com.

Any last words?

The entire team behind Honeydew Intimates is proud of what we create every season. It’s that mix of ideas that generates the most inspiring work. We have an opportunity to work together towards a shared goal, and that is a privilege. From the beginning, we wanted to produce something women can enjoy wearing while ensuring that each item that has the Honeydew Intimates brand has an enduring appeal and hopefully continues to delight and surprise everyone.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Audrey K Boutique – Vintage-Inspired Modern Clothes by Local Designers

One morning my close friend and I did a long bike ride and stopped in a quaint district in Glendale to have coffee and a pastry. Across the street we spotted an adorable boutique—Audrey K. There was a rack outside with dresses on sale. My friend, Catherine, flipped over the designs and rushed into the store for a closer look. I followed, still a little winded from our bike ride. I noticed the clothes had a very old Hollywood look to them, yet they weren’t vintage at all. They were fresh new designs by local talent. And everything was priced affordably. While I was browsing, Catherine tried on and purchased several outfits. I got bold and tried one on, too. And I loved the way it looked and felt. The sales staff was attentive, but not pushy in the least. It was a wonderful shopping experience. Since that first visit, my riding partner and I have purchased many outfits from that store (which continues to stock beautiful, unique, vintage-inspired clothing at a reasonable price). What looks couture is actually affordable. Now that is what’s so special about Audrey K Boutique!

“The store has been a passion of mine. I’ve been in retail my entire life and I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to focus on designers that were local, not mass-produced, or all over in the mall.”—Audrey Robles, Owner of Audrey K Boutique

Audrey Robles is the owner of Audrey K Boutique located in Glendale, California. Uniquely, she is a trained stylist who helps out her clients individually, lending a friendly, caring atmosphere to those who shop at this vintage-inspired boutique. Audrey K has been featured in several publications, blogs, and the points of interest in “Walking in LA.” She has an extensive celebrity clientele, and her fashions and accessories have been seen on popular television shows. Audrey K is a boutique that fuses vintage and modern and vintage styles in a very fashion-forward, sophisticated, and affordable way. The boutique offers styles that you won’t see anywhere else. How does this boutique accomplish that? By supporting local designers with something unique and are high fashion with an edge.

I love your stuff. It reminds me of vintage even though it’s not. The 30s, 40s, 50s . . . How did you come up with such a niche-specific store?

To be honest with you, I buy the fashions that I like. It turns out that there are a lot of women who like to look this way too. Vintage is a broad term. You have the true “rockabillies.” They live it, they breathe it, they go to the vintage stores to find these styles. I find designers that live locally that recreate these styles. They have stretch bengaline or some type of spandex—friendly fabrics they use today that modern women can wear to work. You can wear these dresses and feel beautiful because the styles accommodate a lot of women as far as styles are concerned. It flatters the pear-shaped, tall and lengthy, hour glass figures, short . . . a lot of women can wear these dresses and feel beautiful and feel like they’re contributing to fashion. My concept behind the store is to offer fashion for women in a broad sense. The fashions I offer are also very affordably priced. These are pieces you can pull out of the closet and use season after season.

How do you decide what goes into your store?

When I buy, I’m very particular about the way the fabric feels on the skin, that they’re made well.

You’re also a designer?

The designing aspect is something that has evolved on its own. I have a college degree in fashion merchandising. I see a customer try on something in my store that doesn’t fit. I think to myself, I can tweak that to where it would fit her if it was a little longer, or maybe if it was made in another fabric. So being in the fashion industry, I see things that would meet the customer’s needs that other styles or clothing lines don’t. I find myself wanting to design . . . Audrey K Designs that will be sold exclusively on my website. (New lines were released Spring/Summer 2009.)

You said that 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s retro . . . all those eras had their bad picks as well. I noticed in your shop your stuff seems to be the cream of the crop of those styles. Can you tell me where that keen eye of fashion comes from within you?

The women of my family are fashion icons. My mother was a model for Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. She wore the wigs, makeup, eyelashes . . . and dressed to a tee . . . and so was my nana . . . and so was my great grandmother. You wouldn’t have known that if you saw me in the 80s. I had a mullet and wore bad clothes. I think it’s something I grew into. I never wanted to do fashion and sketch when I was 8 years old. That would have made a great Cinderella story. But that really wasn’t how it was for me. I went to the American College for the Applied Arts in Westwood to get my degree. That sparked it for me. I’ve always been in retail. I’ve always worked for big box stores, too, like Macy’s, and window displays at The Gap. But I’ve always known what I like. Regarding picking the cream of the crop, because there are styles in the 50s and 60s and even in the 70s, where I hoped those styles would never come back, there were styles where certain designers nailed. So I tried to find those pieces and put them in the store. Everything in here is a winner. Myfox LA . . . we came in 4th place for Best Hand Bags in Los Angeles. I don’t just go out and fill the store. I am very particular, so we nail it every single time.

Where do you see Audrey K in 5 years?

My husband and I have a focus and a goal that in 5 to 10 years we’ll have several stores by then. We don’t want to grow too fast because when you do that, the jewel of what this store is all about gets muffled in a way. You have to have the right supportive group of people working with you.

To learn more about Audrey K Boutique, visit their website atwww.audreyk.com.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Bao Tranchi – Costume and Fashion Designer

Costume and Fashion Designer Bao Tranchi graduated from Otis College of Art & Design at the top of her class. She was immediately offered a designer job at Anne Klein in New York or work onQueen of the Damned, as the illustrator and assistant to Academy Award nominated costume designer Arianne Phillips. Opting for the costume job, Tranchi became the youngest person ever admitted into the Costume Designers Guild. She went on to work onCharlie’s Angels, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, The Madonna Drown World Tour, music video styling for Janet Jackson, and Destiny’s Child, just to name a few projects.

Bao Tranchi’s first magazine shoot was Rolling Stone Magazine with Mark Seliger shooting Leonardo DiCaprio. Her designs have been worn by Steven Tyler, James McAvoy, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy, Salma Hayek, Naomi Watts, Paris Hilton, and Courtney Cox. Tranchi also designed and produced the wardrobe for Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway” and “Hazel Eyes” 2005-2006 World Tours, including her video for “Behind These Hazel Eyes.” Tranchi was also a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 7.

In 2007 for her work in Fashion and Costume, Tranchi was a life-size cutout at the firstVietnamese American historical exhibition at the Smithsonian in Washington, D. C.

Arun Nevader presents Bao Tranchi Fashion 2010 Photo Shoot at the Hotel Borg in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Lancelot and His Debut Solo Album, Your Time Your Chances Your Say

With the dollar being so weak against the euro, singer/songwriter Lance Smith (Lancelot) came to Los Angeles, CA, to work with rock producer Rich Mouser, who lately had been cultivating and producing Irish talent (Paul Toal and Jaded Sun). Lancelot heard about his work and made the decision to collaborate here in L.A. Lancelot had been playing the guitar ever since he was a kid. His uncle lent him an amplifier, and Lancelot got a guitar at age 11. Even though he played sports and had other hobbies, they weren’t the things he was passionate about. Playing guitar and doing music won out as his number one love. He played with a band for a few years but then decided to record his first album as a solo artist.

I know that you had a little bit of success with a single with the band you were with back home.

Yeah, back in Ireland we released a single. We got lots of playlists and national radio and made some charts. It was decision time, whether I wanted to pursue that with the band and go to the next stage. But I was with a band that was in so many different directions, ideas, styles . . . and my gut told me that this is what I should be doing [being a solo artist]. I wasn’t quite happy with the way it sounded. It wasn’t the band’s fault or even my fault. It was just a difference of opinion, and here I am now.

So tell me about this record, Your Time Your Chances Your Say.

I broke up with the band and found my direction. I wrote a lot of songs, developed a sound. Got in contact with Rich Mouser and sent over songs to him. I told him I wanted a fun record, upbeat tracks, something free.

What style would you say it is?

It’s got touches of singer/songwriter. At the same time it has an indie feel. There’s always a chorus and a hook. It’s hard to say, until people start putting you into a bracket: “Oh I didn’t know I was rock opera!” (Laughs) Oh, is that really what we sound like?

What is your role as an artist?

I’m playing drums and guitars on the demo to develop the sound. That’s what I’ll do live. It’s so much freer than being in a band. Building a live show around this album, you can work it around the people you choose. The live show can really replicate what we did on the album.

Dublin seems to be a hotbed for rock and indie music, huh?

Yeah, for the size of the population, there’ve been quite a few bands out of Dublin that have been pretty huge internationally. It’s just one of those cities that has been really creative. There’s always a turnover of really good bands whether they break Ireland or not. Even at home there are always 10 or 15 good artists that are just playing in Ireland. There are gigs all the time, and it’s a relatively small city. I don’t know . . . maybe it’s something in the water.

Tell me about some of the songs in your records. Do you have a favorite song? What are the themes of some of the songs?

There are some love songs without being lovey-dovey, my life, people, places, etc. . . . whatever captures your attention. You can float around, and then all of a sudden a spark hits you and you just go off on it.

Are any of your songs based upon personal experiences?

“Country Life” is a song I wrote at 6:00 in the morning one day in London. It was like a chant. I was shouting it on the phone to some friends. It’s just about getting out of the city. There was one little moment where I had the seed of it, and it just wrote itself like some songs do.

I hear that a lot. When you talk to artists, musicians, painters, actors, writers . . . people who are creative and inventing all the time, a lot of times they say that. Sometimes the spark of inspiration came 5 years ago and it’s been sitting there waiting for it to manifest itself.

That’s the way it happens. Sometimes the inspiration is just sitting there waiting for you to develop it, to grasp it, to run with it. Sometimes you don’t get that straightaway. Sometimes you have this idea sitting in the back of your head and it takes a long time before you realize where they’re supposed to go or where they’re trying to go without trying to force them, just let them happen themselves. Those are always the best songs.

Did you have any challenges in recording this album?

It was a pleasurable experience. There were a few days where I was tearing my hair out to get a song right, worrying about a guitar or vocal line. Considering the amount of hours you spend working on a project in the studio, it’s really been quite easy, straight-forward in a lot of ways. I didn’t expect it to be as smooth (aside from the days when you want to throw yourself in a ditch!).

You used to model. Tell me about that.

I used to do a lot of things to pay the bills, but modeling came up in Dublin. It’s not like New York. It was relaxed. In Dublin it was easy and enjoyable. I did a few good jobs, and it paid the bills. I was with Assets Model Agency in Dublin. Lots of print, TV ads, catwalk shows.

Did your modeling help to define your image for the album?

Going in to making the album, I just wanted to make the album. I consciously didn’t even think about my name, photography, the artwork, the image, or the website. I just wanted to spend all the energy making 10 songs.

That’s really good. That means the music is the most important thing to you.

There’s so much else you can do that takes up so much energy and time that you can get ahead of yourself and start putting energy into areas that don’t matter as much. At the end of the day, the music has to be right. If it’s not right, you can put up all the websites you want. It’s not going to make any difference.

A lot of people would say that what you did was very ambitious. To leave your home and go to another country and work with someone you didn’t know personally, was that a little scary for you? Making the leap of faith to come from Ireland and go to LA.

These days with the internet and communication, it’s so easy to fly material around. I flew material around to people located in London, Australia, US, Dublin. I was trying to match up with a producer who could get what I was trying to do. This was the best option. I heard some previous work. Everything clicked, and it just worked.

How long did the recording take?

30-40 days.

What’s the next step for you?

The music industry is so open these days. It’s a matter of finding what’s right for you, the record, and all the rest that goes with it. It’s exciting.

If you were to sum up the body of work for your album, how would you describe it in one sentence?

Melodic, strong melodies, fun with a bit of oomph to it! At the end of the day, really, I just wanted to make an album that made me happy, and after that everything is a bonus. The first step is done, and I’m happy.

To learn more about Lancelot, visit www.myspace.com/lancelotmusic

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Hollywood Hills Goes Pink – Interview with Female-Exclusive Pink Iron Gym

“We know women, we are women. We know fitness, we love fitness.” -Pink Iron

The Hollywood Hills have gone pink and they have never looked better. Men, beware. This month we take you into the hot and trendy new female- dedicated gym, Pink Iron. I invited ISSA certified trainer Angelis Casteran to come along this round for a fresh female fitness perspective on what is a girls only club, no boys allowed (except male fitness writers, of course). Upon entering, you are greeted with an energetic smile and wag of Barbell’s tiny tail, Pink Iron’s little white Maltese mascot. The fresh colors, trendy spa feel, energized staff and intimate personality of it all culminates in a smile on your face and an extra spring in your step just by walking in.

“The trainers looked to be in great shape, great role models . . . the variety of equipment really adapts to various client needs . . . the pink is great, not overdone . . . and the locker rooms have a great spa like feel . . . They really anticipated everything a woman would need down to the locker room details.” – Angeles Casteran, CFT

A staff of seven certified or degree-credentialed female trainers commands the gym with impressive experience and attention to detail. Boys need not apply. I enjoyed the fact that Pink Iron’s staff keeps current on the latest fitness trends and information while weeding out the pesky flavor-of-the-week advice that confuses so many. As any serious fitness professional knows, only realistic approaches combined with true lifestyle change brings lifelong results. Owner Holly Horton knows this, believes this, and has definitely integrated this mantra into her pink fitness palace.

“My mission is not only to help my clients reach their goals but to have them leave each session with a new sense of strength, confidence, and passion for a healthy and fit lifestyle.” -Holly Holton

Owner Holly Holton, NASM Certified Trainer

The mind and muscle behind Pink Iron is owner Holly Holton, an internationally ranked fitness competitor and all-around fitness powerhouse at age 26. Holly has been training for the fitness world since the age of 15, certified and teaching at age 18, and competing at age 19; so don’t let her youth fool you.

“Do you know the Law of Thermodynamics? Do you understand how to maximize your post-exercise oxygen consumption to burn calories through your day? Luckily, you don’t have to because we do.” -Holly Holton

About Pink Iron: Interview with Holly Holton, Owner

Where did the inspiration for this Hollywood pink powerhouse come from, Holly?

Well, I’ve been into fitness ever since I picked up my first fitness magazine at age 15 and always dreamed of having my own studio someday. When I got into the LA fitness scene, I noticed just how much of a real scene it was here. Women working out in full makeup, hair fixed, dressed up but afraid to sweat and ruin their fitness outfits only to be hit on between every set, of course. I was uncomfortable being hit on at the gym, and I’m a trainer. Being self-conscious in a gym was a first for me. Girls wanted me to train them outside of the gym because they were so uncomfortable. I knew many other women out there felt the same way. I shared all this with my good friend and business partner and we decided to create a girl-friendly gym (Pink Iron) where men aren’t drooling over them and we could focus on improving women’s lives through fitness.

What does Pink Iron have to offer the health-conscious women of LA?

We are a full-service gym. We offer general memberships, tanning, group classes, Pilates, and personal training with built-in nutritional guidance for the absolute best results. Group classes offered will be yoga, Pilates, boot camp, and a focused booty and abs class. Our newest edition is bringing to life the Pink Iron beauty room, a full-service in-house salon that offers haircuts, color, extensions, waxing . . . You name it, and we will have it here. An all female staff runs the Pink Iron to ensure max client comfort and a focused environment.

So what gives Pink Iron’s personality its luster and distinguishes it from all others?

Apart from our obvious custom pink look and the positive, fresh and upbeat feel of Pink Iron, we pride ourselves on the attention we extend our girls. We focus a lot on keeping a personal feel and touch for a family-like atmosphere. We maintain a friendly community of female staff that knows every member by name. This lets us listen and respond quickly to our members’ needs. When our members asked for music in the locker rooms, they got it the next day.

Who is the typical Pink Iron client you cater to?

The only typical thing about our clients is that they are all women. We welcome anyone and everyone ready to enjoy what we have to offer at every level of fitness. We have 13-year-old girls who come in with their moms who have a trainer, fiery 70-year-old women who work out on their own, and LA celebrities who just love what we’ve got.

What advice do you have for our ladies who are ready to live a healthier and fitter life but don’t know where to start?

First, I believe they should set their goals and be clear on what they want to accomplish, write them out and post them somewhere visible to stay focused. Next is to get a support system. Encouragement is so important. Ideal is an experienced personal trainer to save you time and keep you safe, but if that is not possible, a work-out buddy with similar fitness goals is great for keeping you company and accountable.

Do you feel personal training is a luxury?

I think it’s a necessity; it’s an investment in your health. Keeping fit is something we all need to do even if it is just you working out on your own with just a gym membership. We do offer a free assessment, of course, to allow members to feel the difference and learn some new stuff they can apply. I definitely feel it’s something everyone should do for themselves.

I noticed your studio is just above Barry’s Bootcamp. Does that interfere at all?

Not at all since it’s actually very different. We complement each other. Since it’s mostly cardio-focused downstairs and Pink Iron is a fully loaded gym, we actually get along great and love everyone over at Barry’s. A lot of Barry’s clients come to us to use our weights and visa-versa for their cardio. It’s worked out great.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Make sure to check out our fun interactive website atwww.pinkiron.com. It is loaded with our theme song, “The Tale of Pink Iron,” our cute custom fitness gear, our personal energydrink, and tons of other fun stuff. Don’t forget to check out Barbell’s doggy blog. It’s life at Pink Iron from a doggy mascot’s point of view.

Find out more at www.pinkiron.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pinkiron

Interviewed by Anthony Heredia