Style Scoop Q&A: Chanel Ward
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Our latest StyLe ScOoP interview is with ultra-stylish blogger and designer Chanel Ward of the popular Hip Candy. Chanel, a graduate of FIDM's Fashion Design Program, is set to launch her much-anticipated clothing line Hip Couture this summer and we can't wait to see it! Read on to find out what makes this FIDM Grad's career extra sweet! --Kim
Name: Chanel Ward
URL: www.hipcandy.blogspot.com
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Five sites you must visit daily:
People.com, Elle.com, Usmagazine.com (Us Weekly), Style.com, and an image sharing site, Photobucket.com. Love those.
Your Major at FIDM and Grad Year: Fashion Design, June 1999
Briefly describe your "typical" work day:
Well Starbucks usually starts my day. I should probably own stock in Starbucks coffee. After that, the computer is joined to my arm for the remainder most days. I could really use an assistant just to help out with fielding emails! I then search the Internet for stories for Hip Candy (NYC Fashion Week is coming up) and in addition to that, I've been running a Desktop Publishing business since 2000 (Chanel Ward Design) and I'm working on my clothing launch for Summer 2008 (Hip Couture). So there's interaction with graphic design clients on a daily basis, and research and development that goes into getting my capsule collection launched for Hip Couture. It's just a busy, busy time for me right now!
What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe?
My comfy sweats! I love, love, lovity, love a pair of colorful, comfy, coordinated sweats. They have to be cute though! Think the Victoria's Secret PINK line or Juicy Couture. I honestly couldn't get by my day-to-day without them.
Who is your style icon and why?
It's gonna sound cliché, but European women are definitely one of my style inspirations. French women, more specifically, don't often follow fickle, trendy fashion. They'll invest in a few classic, high quality pieces and dress them up or down instead of purchasing loads and loads of trendy gear that's usually here today, gone tomorrow. European style comes off as near effortless, and that's something that I often strive for. It's wonderful when you look "put together" but don't look like you tried too hard. I'm gonna get there... as soon as I'm able to give up my sweats! (Pictured: French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg)
What inspires you most?
What a fabulous question! What inspires me most is probably traveling. Being exposed to places you haven't been before is such a wonderful part of life! Seeing new things, meeting new people, and experiencing
different cultures is a huge inspiration to me.
The one skill you couldn't do your job without:
Advanced computer skills. Hands down.
The ultimate accessory is...
A positive attitude. Seriously. A negative outlook on life is so unattractive and so unnecessary! Why not be positive? Why not have believe in yourself and what you're doing? Having faith that things will work out for the best is key. A positive attitude is the absolute ultimate accessory for anyone in my opinion. (We so
agree! Ed.)
Anything else to add?
Sure! Don't be afraid to step out of the box once you graduate. Fear of the unknown can be unbelievably
paralyzing. But don't let it be! Don't let fear keep you from trying new things! Sometimes it's the avenues taken that you least expect that'll bring you the most success. Explore alternative avenues, keep an open mind open to new ideas, always think creatively, follow your instincts... hey, it worked for me!
Hip Candy is one of my top favorite blogs!
Posted by: Angel | January 31, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I can't wait to view the Hip Couture line!
Posted by: swb | February 03, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Does anyone know how to find photos and infoirmation on the clothes and Jewelry that Karl Lager feld designed for Chanel with the pills and red crosses etc.. it was a kind of a "medical"
theme please let me know because I cant even find pictures of it and i dont remember the year thanks
Posted by: heather | February 14, 2008 at 01:39 PM
your emerge from the things, fill with my soul, Looking forward to hearing more from you!
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