Street Chic Icons

I. Name/Alias: Radio Rose Garcia

Current Gig: Market Editor to Missbehave Magazine, Freelance Stylist, HBIC to AroundTheWayGirls.net, DJ ( yes all of them!)

Motto: Everyone has the ability to achieve only the best.

Quote to live by: “I like my money right where I can see it, hanging in my closet” (c) Carrie Bradshaw

Q: Who’s your style icon? There’s so many ladies that really killing the style game right now, and although I would love to go raid the closests of M.I.A., Santi White and Chloe Sevigny, I have to take it back to a classic icon—Diana Ross. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to literally BE her, always! I’m a big fan of big luxurious hair and something about her has always come off as sultry and sensual. Her sensuality made every outfit she ever wore shine, I feel it’s a perfect staple to compliment anything.

Q: What defines your iconic style? I think I keep it fairly simple. I just like to wear what I like and I’m never picky about what I’m putting together, I try very hard to not just stick to one thing, I tend to go from sneakers and jeans to silk dresses as often as I can. I’ve had a few misses in my day, but I have never been afraid to wear anything (except for maybe polka dots, those can be tricky on a curvy lady like myself ).

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
I just try to be as comfortable as possible. I love playing with colors and patterns as much as possible. I feel it helps tone your mood.

Q: What’sthe one thing people would never guess about you?
I used to dress like such a tomboy in high school, size 36 jeans, fresh kicks and XL T-shirts. I still laugh when I told my mom I was never gonna wear dresses and stockings again. I think she cried since she used to always dress me up in extra-itchy, frilly dresses. But, I slowly started to wear leotards and baggy jeans, trying to look like my other style icon Aaliyah. It didn’t work out too great though!

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
My rule is that there is no rule. If anyone ever follows trends to the tee, they’re just part of a larger mold. Fashion always fluctuates and at one point of another you end up wearing things you swore you never would. I say if you feel comfortable, wear it well, you’ll make it work if you really have the confidence you need to convince everyone else.

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
My Norma Kamali cacoon sweater, it opts as a sweater/jacket and is perfect for spring/fall.

My heeled oxfords, great for the day-night transition without looking like a hoochie!

Black high waisted skirts, I’m pear shaped so I need something to accentuate my curves instead of trying to hide them.

Cubannie Links Coco Knockers, by far, the best investment you can make, you can wear a t-shirt and jeans with these and it’s instant glam.

My Marc Jacobs patent leather tote, it carries everything, appointment book, extra umbrella, laptop and a small child.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for?
Married to the Mob pretty much pioneered street wear fashion for ladies and i think it’s still doing a great job of outfitting powerful ladies worldwide, Hellz Bellz for all the cut and sew pieces, definitely embodies the way more women’s collections should be. DimePiece is doing many fun textiles and well crafted pieces, who doesn’t love those L.A. map leggings on their look-book model. MadeMe, is a personal favorite, her fall collection is definitely exciting and features some that seasons best outerwear.

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be . . .
Finally taking the time off I know I deserve, maybe taking a few month long “fashion sabbaticals” from time-to-time! I would love to just go around the world collecting indigenous pieces, like necklaces from African tribes and Eskimo moccasins, truly having a worldly closet.

II. Name/Alias: Va$htie a.k.a Downtowns $weetheart a.k.a Vashius Klay a.k.a Vash Money a.k.a King Vashtie!
Current Gig: Directing, Film-making, Designing, Creative Consulting, One half of 1992…making pretty pictures.

Motto: “Do what you love to do, not what makes you more money”

Quote to live by: “Success is a journey, not a destination” (c) Deepak Chopra
Q: Who’s your style icon?
Neneh Cherry. She was so ill with her biker shorts and lace bra. In her “ManChild” video she came out with a towel on her head, holding a baby in her arms! Game over.

Q: What defines your iconic style?
My tomboy influence, I guess. I’ve always been interested in wearing boys’ clothes. I wear kicks all day, but even when I’m in heels I’ll throw a hoody with it to keep it all me.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
I’m always inspired by my family back in Trinidad. My parents came to America for better opportunities and when I visit Trinidad I see how hard it is. If I had lived there, I’m not sure I’d be able to do what I do now; I’m thankful for that. My parents struggled to give me the chances they were not given.

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
That I’m from the hood. Most people assume I’m from a privileged home and that I had things handed to me based on the way I speak and the way I dress. I’m from Albany, New York, but don’t get it twisted Albany is hood. I’ve never lived in a house, always an apartment. When I was young and we were on welfare; me, my older brother and sister had to share a tiny bedroom.

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
That’s a tough one. I don’t live by any fashion rules. I guess I would never break my rule of being classy. I think revealing too much in your wardrobe is unnecessary and leaves nothing to the imagination.

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
My black Jordan 3′s, American Apparel hoody, vintage Cinderella (the band, not the cartoon) T-shirt, Balenciaga gladiator wedges and my mink Louis Vuitton bag.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for?
I think Married to the Mob and Made Me are doing great things. I would also say, Violette, my new brand. I’ve been working on it for years, but never really allowed myself to put it out there full force. It’s something all me…conception, design, execution. Although it targets women, it’s not limited to them. The designs are boyish since that’s the style I like, so guys feel Ok wearing it. It’s a brand that I think people will like and feel comfortable spending money on.

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be…
Married with kids, cooking dinner and reading bed-time stories. Work wise I’ll be directing major bodies of work while running Violette and painting when I have time.

For more Va$htie check out Violette, www.violettenewyork.com; Myspace, www.myspace.com/violettenewyork; YOUTUBE, www.youtube.com/vashtie; Blog, www.riottt.com/vashtie

1992 the Party!
www.myspace.com/1992theparty , www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/fashion/09hiphop.html

III. Name/Alias: Diana Reyes a.k.a. FLY LADY DI

Current Gig: Graphic & Web Designer / Live Painter

Motto: The difficult I’ll do right now, the impossible will take a little while.

Quote to live by: “It profits a man nothing to sell his soul for the whole world.”

Q: Who’s your style icon?
One of my best friends Melly Mel. She is probably the freshest-dressed female I know. She is one of the most versatile dancers in the world and she has the ability to rock crazy style even when she’s in sweats. Mel is also responsible for my style too because a lot of my accessories are her gifts! Also, Andre 3000 has a really outside-the-box mentality when it comes to fashion. I admire that because a lot of famous, straight men wouldn’t take the fashion risks that he does. Alanzo Dale has a crazy style, too.

Q: What defines your iconic style?
I have to say the most befitting nickname I’ve gotten was “Punky”. I think it truly defines my style. It embodies a playful, funky, feminine and powerful persona—which are all things I like to represent through my style. It combines the colorfulness of an artist, comfort ability for a dancer, the class of a queen, and the fearlessness of a tomboy.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
Definitely the kids out here in Brooklyn inspire my style. There are a lot of crews out here right now just killing the fashion game. Crews like the Funky Fresh Crew, the Retro Kids, the Juice Crew all take fashion to another level. They are really carrying style forward, even though it is primarily inspired by 80s. Also, I like to model what I wear based on what I see in magazines like Trace and Sportswear International. These magazines are very fashion-forward, so I like to go to them for reference my current style. I like to try and stay ahead of what is fashionably ‘acceptable’.

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
Growing up I didn’t have it easy. I was chubby, I wore braces for five years and I had skin problems. I used to get teased a lot too because of my big lips. That soon changed in my early teens, but that part of my life surely built my character and made me into who I am today. Truthfully when people tell me how good I look, I shockingly think to myself, “Really?”

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
The biggest fashion rule I’d never break is that there are no f*ing rules when it comes to fashion! Same with art. The only rule you should not break, is to not break any rules. But I always say, one should first master all the rules before one attempts to break them. I don’t give an f*, I’ll wear navy with black. I’ll wear white in the fall. I guess the only thing I wouldn’t do is wear white socks and black shoes—but even that can be fresh if one wears it right!

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
My gold chains are definitely a staple. Dope eyewear is key for me as well; everyone knows me for my ‘shades’, (or my $10 St. Mark’s Place ‘Gazelle’ frames!). Also, I have to rock my funky bracelets at all times because each of them was given to me by one of my best friends. They each know my style so well and I can never leave my house without wearing these funky, colourful, tribal-looking accessories.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for?
I am deeply in love with Balanciaga. I love the color palettes, the lines, the silhouettes, and the ability to combine an almost masculine flair with the jackets, but still keep it ultra-femme. Dope jackets are my fetish. Also, Alexander McQueen has always been a personal favorite of mine growing up. I love the ostentatiousness of his designs and their super-feminine flare. I love Pat Fields as well because she has the ability to design very unconventional fashion that transcends time—not an easy task.

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be…
. . . . Able to afford my favorite designers and rock them while I paint live at shows! In 5 years I definitely envision myself getting paid well for what I do, because then I will have proved to the world that I am worth it. I’m paying my dues now, so it’s only a matter of time.

IV. Name/Alias: LissaMonét

Current Gig: DJ

Motto: “Surround yourself with like-minded people and you will never fail”

Quote to live by: ” I’d rather die enormous than live dormant”

Q: Who’s your style icon?
Grace Jones, Kelis, Jem [ I couldn't pick one]

Q: What defines your iconic style?
Versatiity. I never settle for a specific look or trend.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
Music [#1], people who think outside the box, and people who settle.

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
I’m anti-social.

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
No panty lines everrrrrrr. Less is always more.

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
My iPod, Reebok Hi-Pastels, a pair of fitted jeans, a Tee or hoody and my LV Damier laptop bag.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for? Princess Of The Posse , www.myspace.com/princessoftheposse,
Darkhorse, www.myspace.com/darkhorseworld
Fli Pelican, www.myspace.com/flipelican

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be
. . . .Damn, ill probably be on tour with the next biggest R&B diva [hopefully Wynter Gordon, Teyana Taylor, Andreena Mill or Tash – google them]

V. Name/Alias: Sofi, Sofi Donuts, Misoh.

Current Gig: Independent Clothing Store Owner, Promoter and Party Thrower of monthly Donuts Nite and Instore Parties, Big time Blogger (that’s not a job but…I take time for it) and DJ.

Motto: (didn’t have one)

Quote to live by: Just do it . . . (Quite literally. That’s a darn good quote.) JUST DO IT!

Q: Who’s your style icon? Believe it or not, I don’t have a style icon. There isn’t one person that I look at and think, “Ahh! I like their style and I’m gunna pinch some ideas from them.” I like to take ideas from lookbooks and fashion shoots in magazines such as i-D, Plastique, Nylon and Dazed. I base a lot of my outfits around colors and jewelry. I find look-books and fashion shoots are slightly on the more crazy side which I find much more inspiring than the average dressed person. Although in saying all that I do LOVE Agyness Deyn, I think she is beautiful, individual and probably the best model to come out since Kate Moss. I love her style but it’s not a look I would ever go for myself.

Q: What defines your iconic style? I guess I’m very colorful, I’d never wear an entire outfit of black for an example and if I did I’d feel awful. I completely need colour in my life. I also love jewelry, I started out with the massive bamboo hoops, but for a while now I’ve been rummaging in second hand stores for vintage jewelery. Clip on vintage earrings really are great, some are so ornate and massive it’s ridiculous and I love that—you can pick them up for SO cheap too. I really love to wear mens T-shirts even though they really aren’t the most flattering of shapes. I’ll put on a girls tee and just spend the whole day uncomfortable. There are some really great mens t-shirts around right now, especially from Rockers NYC. Put on your mens tee with a teeny weeny mini skirt and some fly kicks and your away.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
My friends. I don’t know if we have somehow all come together by fate or if we’ve come together because we’re in the minority of young people in the UK actually taking risks to make something of what we are passionate about. I don’t really have many friends that are studying or in full-time jobs, if they are doing either of those they are doing something extra to go alongside it. I’d like to mention Trapstar, A.IN.T and Ben Monsta—three groups of designers making massive moves in the Fashion / Art / Street wear / Music scene. I guess one thing we all have in common is serious networking skills and passion about what we are doing. If you are passionate enough and believe in yourself you can make anything happen. My friends are proof of that. My Mum is my biggest inspiration, through thick n thin she will always put a smile on my face and she knows exactly what to say to sort out any situation. Good old Mums, eh? I’m very lucky. Customers and people that come to our parties inspire me too, because by coming to us they are showing their support for what we are doing.

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
Hmmm..thats a tough one, it’s hard to say cos I’m quite open about everything I do.

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
Make your own rules! Break them if you want to because they are your rules. There should be no rules in fashion, just be yourself.

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces? About a billion mens Tees mainly by Trapstar, A.IN.T and Rockers NYC. I have a lot of tight mini tube skirts in various colors, I cut the straps off a basic vest and then you have a simple tube skirt left over (as long as you cover the waistband no one will ever know, it sounds a bit simple but try it, it’s a good un). I have quite a few kicks, but I’m not wearing them much right now. We have this UK Brand called Pointer, they make amazing girls shoes in real bright colors and I can’t get enough of them. Vans are a good look too. CTRL dominates my wardrobe, woollen cardigans, dungaree dresses, leggings, mental colors and zig zags. In fact, my wardrobe is about to break. Help!

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for? I know I always bang on about CTRL, but really there is no contest. You know when you see something and you think…yes, if I was going to make some clothing it would be like that. They never ever make what they think people will want which is great because SO many people do. They just make what they want and basically the people that don’t like it can leave and the people that do love it can open their arms and welcome it. CTRL is greatly received in our store and I know this time round they got in many more orders than previously, so the love is spreading. I’d also shout out Dimepiece too, those gals are great.

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be . . .
Still working my butt off for my store Donuts. To be honest though, the hard work we have put in over the last 9 months has really really paid off. In the last 3 days our online store went up & we got featured on Slam X Hype. That is such a huge milestone for us & so encouraging. So, I got 5 years & we’ve come this far in 9 months…sooooo…yeah I reckon I’ll be doing something good in 5 years, if I keep up the hard work, which I definitely will. I’d like to have babies and get wed too, life is all about family, I think 5 years will fly by though, so I better not make any statements just yet. :) Actually, can I just say…in 5 years I will be a multi-millionaire… probably (hopefully).

For more information about Sofi Donuts check out www.sofidonuts.blogspot.com, www.donutsthestore.co.uk and www.myspace.com/donuts_the_store

VI. Name/Alias: Rain The Fashionista

Current Gig: Fashion Designer of “Kissed By Rain” and Stylist

Motto:
Quote to live by: “Everyday is a fashion show, so dress like you’re on the runway with everyone watching your every move”

Q: Who’s your style icon?
My style icon will always be Audrey Hepburn! Classy girl, classic wardrobe. She set the stage in My Fair Lady and Breakfast with Tiffany’s in the way she carried the clothing that changed the fashion world as we know it today!

Q: What defines your iconic style?
I never ever ever ever match. Whether its prints with flowers or stripes with solids. You could say when it comes to colors I am colorblind and it just goes in my eyes.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
I love the MTA. I get most of my inspirations from my train or bus rides to and from where ever I am going. Everyone has style its all how you where it. I love old people on the MTA because they put on everything they own on when they go outside and it still looks dope!

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
Hmm, this is a tough one because I am completely open about everything, whether it is about the lady in church horrible outfit or the bum having sick ass style in the train station. I guess most people don’t know I go to church. I am a church girl and yes, Jesus is my right hand man.

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
I could and will never match my purse to my shoes to be honest it looks too put together. I could never do it!

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
Skinny Jeans!! I’m only 5’3 ½ and most jeans are either too wide for me like wide leg or flared which makes me look even shorter or the length on the jeans are too long.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for?
I love tees from all over the world and I have come across these lines that will make it very very soon… Money Bags Clothing from New Orleans, Cop$etic from Ohio and Babylon Cartel outta Philly. As far as girly cute stuff, I support Duckie Brown from Long Island and all of the girls trying to make it just like me… just keep pressing on and never let anyone break your dreams!

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be… making more fab clothing and doing more collabos with stylist celebs and everyone! Haveyoubeenkissedbyrain?

Name/Alias: Shyvonne (I’ll never tell my middle name) Sanganoo

Current Gig: By day marketing with Ciroc at Bad Boy Worldwide, PR/ Marketing Director of No1s Done it Right (promoting peace through parties), Freelance with BET & By night aspiring singer

Motto: “be the change you ought to see in the world” (c) Ghandi

Quote to live by: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” (c) Dr. Seuss

Q: Who’s your style icon?
A mixture of Kelis, Gwen Stefani and Carrie Bradshaw (lol), the three combined would be the perfect blend of controlled fashion chaos with lots of colors!

Q: What defines your iconic style?
Just being myself I guess, it’s not about what people think but how I feel. If it’s sunny out and I’m in a great mood it reflects my outfit. My style is a mixture of everything.

Q: What are your daily inspirations?
The weather, what clean clothes I have available, my hair color can inspire and dictate my wardrobe but, as for inspiration nothing moves me more then music.

Q: What’s the one thing people would never guess about you?
I’ve played sports my whole life. Football for two years, field hockey, volleyball and ran track from 8th grade through college. I went to Towson in Baltimore (Division 1) and threw shot put, hammer and discus at track meets. People would always be like what event do you do; as I’d show up with pink hair and some dunks lol.

Q: What’s the biggest fashion rule you would never break?
Ha! Never say never!

Q: What are your wardrobe’s staple pieces?
My hair color (s) has become such a huge piece of my statement and I love gold and big ole door knockers. Recently, I had to take my earrings down in size though because they’ve been hurting…lol.

Q: What women’s street wear designers should we be on the look out for?
I rock my Hellz Bellz jacket all the time, but as for the look out, I think we will be hearing a lot of people saying that their designs are not actually “street wear” at all.

Q: In 5 years, I’ll probably be…
Happily overworked, in 5 years (most likely less) I will be singing all day and everyday!