Fashion Designer inspired by Stevie Nicks

[vivfox]

FASHION The right Angell: Designer inspired by Stevie Nicks
Extended for the Online Edition of Windy City Times
by Andrew Davis
2009-10-21

Singer Stevie Nicks has inspired many people in the LGBT community—but probably none more so than suburban designer Joshua-Paul Angell. The affable Angell, 30, talked with Windy City Times about his connection with Nicks and designer Isaac Mizrahi; his background; and the best and worst aspects of his career.

Windy City Times: How did you come to be interested in fashion? How did you discover you have a knack for it?

Joshua-Paul Angell: You know, I have no formal training whatsoever, but I've been interested in fashion for years and years and years. I've always sketched dresses, blouses, what have you.

Last March, I was working in retail at Fannie Mae as a manager. The district manager said a few things to me that I didn't like; I gave my keys to the assistant manager, jumped in the car, and Stevie Nicks was singing "Gypsy"—and Stevie is my muse. It inspired me to do what I want to do with my life.

Since then, I've gotten a home studio, and started selling at flea markets with basic T-shirts. I started with tie-dye and it evolved into a chemical infusion; I use chemical processes to alter fabrics. I've worked with a few designers and a fashion photographer; since then, it's just come out of me. Nothing comes out of me unless I have Stevie on, though; I've tried other singers but it doesn't work. Also, I design things that I feel Stevie would wear.

WCT: So no Britney, no Rihanna ... nothing?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Nothing. Something with all of her music just speaks to me. I did a dress recently and I titled it "Rooms on Fire" because that's one of her songs. You can almost tell what I listened to by the [ item ] .

WCT: Isaac Mizrahi actually pointed me in your direction. How did you two meet?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I watched the documentary Unzipped, and was completely fascinated with him. I looked him up on MySpace, and sent a few messages. I think we have a mutual fascination with what [ the other ] is doing, and that's been really inspirational for me. He sees something in me that a lot of other people have not seen in me.

He's got so much going on right now, like Target and the fashion show on Bravo; it's really been a source of inspiration for me. For a long time, though, I didn't really think it was him. But he's out, proud and very personable. He created a Facebook page solely to help other people along. We go back and forth all the time. I've never seen him in person; it is kind of surreal to have someone of his stature noticing you.

He said to me that a lot of designers come up with concepts and other people sew things for them. I buy a lot of vintage stuff ( '70s or '80s ) ; either cut it apart or keep it like it is; and use chemical processing to create something that's couture because you can't find it anywhere else.

WCT: So that's the definition of couture?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Couture has two definitions. One is "something that's created by hand." The other is "something that cannot be re-created"—which is what I do: the Americanized version of couture. It's not like Juicy Couture; that's mass-produced.

WCT: And your items are available out in the burbs, correct?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Yes; I do a lot of shows out here. I'll do anything to get noticed. I was even a judge for Miss Teen Chicago, and met someone there who produces shows. She wants to fly me to St. Louis, and produce my first show.

Even my 10-year-old cousin has sold for me. She wears my items and says at her school, "You can't buy it because it's designer." But she actually makes clothes for her Barbie; she's like a prodigy.

[ Incidentally, ] I think my clothes are perfect for the LGBT community. I want to be like [ singer ] Melissa Etheridge, who says, "Screw what people think. I want to produce the kind of music that my type of people will listen to."

WCT: And you have items for men and women?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Oh, yes. I have shirts, and I do jeans and scarves. Scarves for men are really popular right now.

WCT: Would you ever compete on a show like Project Runway?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I would love to. There are a lot of designers on there who don't sew. My aunt is teaching me, although I'm not at the point where I can drape the fabric and stuff like that. My family does a lot of things; my mother makes jewelry.

WCT: What designers do you admire?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Definitely Isaac Mizrahi. For a while I was fascinated with Michael Kors, but I'm starting to see that he's very consistent from one season to the next. But I see someone like Betsey Johnson, who is always very edgy and who designs what she feels.

WCT: I do like Mizrahi, but also Gaultier and D&G.

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I love items that women and men can wear. I love the androgyny of stuff. I like it when anybody can feel comfortable putting something on.

WCT: What are the best and worst parts of your career?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I would say the best part is designing something new—a new look, a new edge. The worst part is when you hear comments from people who don't like what I do: "It's too colorful" or "It's too out-there" or "Why do you tie-dye?" They don't understand that they came up with this chemical process 4,000 years ago in India to make fabrics beautiful.

WCT: What's the difference between fashion and style?

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Fashion, to me, is almost a mass-produced look, like Michael Kors. Style is being able to go into a thrift store, pick something out and look good in it [ as well as ] feel confident.

WCT: You mentioned Stevie previously—and now I have "Stand Back" playing in my head.

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Oh, yeah. I listen to that on a daily basis. My partner says that I'm obsessed; I've been listening to her since '96—my junior year in high school. She's always inspired me. She's a powerful woman who accepts everyone out there.

My partner has stuck with me. [ We've been together ] for 10 years and I can't trade him. I have to stick with him. [ Both laugh. ]

WCT: Plus you have to keep him because the Cash for Clunkers program is over.

JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Exactly.

See www.DesignerTieDye.com .

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/g....php?AID=23260

[Musicman408]

Cool article- thanks for posting.

I can't help but think that who isn't inspired by Stevie??? I mean, honestly!

[michelej1]

Stevie is mentioned in a spring fashion article in the L. A. Times with a picture of FM.

http://www.latimes.com/features/imag...7.photogallery

Then another picture of Stevie, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich
http://www.latimes.com/features/imag...0,594395.story

By Melissa Magsaysay
( Associated Press )

Bohemian may be considered part of L.A.'s fashion vernacular, but this spring it's being done in a more textural and authentically 1970s manner with fringe incorporated into pieces from ankle boots to earrings.

Photo: Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, far right, exemplifies the '70s bohemian vibe in 1976.

[HejiraNYC]

Considering what a style icon she was back in the day, it is just pathetic that she is resigned to wearing black caftans, black stretch pants and black Reeboks 24/7. For crikeys sake, the woman has a stylist and an assistant in addition to boatloads of cash. She puts so much effort into hair, skin and makeup, yet clothes are just an afterthought these days. Yes, I realize that she no longer has the willowy physique to pull off sundresses and halter tops. But there must be some way for a woman of a certain age and a certain size to still be fashionable.

[fringed n fab]

I hate Tie-dye anything. If he made long wispy handkerchief skirts, I'd buy those. Or some beautiful embellished tops, not "shirts".

[michelej1]

http://www.nme.com/news/best-coast/62403

Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino has revealed her forthcoming Urban Outfitters clothing line is inspired by Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks.

The range, which is her first, is due to be available to buy in May of this year.

She told Pitchfork: "Stevie Nicks has always been my fashion icon, so I wanted to blend her infamous witchy style with the 90s valley girl theme that I was so entranced by as a young girl."

Consentino added:

I think this collection is like if Stevie Nicks and Cher from Clueless had a baby and they took her to a séance.

The singer also compared the range to her tour clothes. She said: "This line is like the inside of my suitcase when I go on tour: skirts, dresses, crop tops, a nice pair of fitted trousers. The collection has a lot of darker colours."

Best Coast will tour the UK this June. The band, who are currently putting the finishing touches to their as yet untitled second studio album, will play five shows.

The dates kick off at Glasgow's O2 ABC 2 venue on June 16 and run until June 21 when the band headline Brighton's Coalition. The run includes the band's biggest UK show to date at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.

To check the availability of Best Coast tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

[GarboSpeaks!]

I've been listening to her since '96—my junior year in high school

First this quote made me feel REALLY old...then I just started to droop further thinking about what he is doing at his age vs. what I was doing at that age, and now for that matter. lol

But really cool that he's so inspired.