Taylor M. Llewellyn of Tucker Blair Talks to Debonair.

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1. Who is Tucker Blair?

Tucker and Blair are two family names. If you go to our “About” page you can see an internal link that has a picture of my grandparents with the name.

2. What is the inspiration behind the line?

Creating products that remind our customers of the places and times they cherish most (and probably the places they wish they could be all the time)

3. What makes you different?

We’re trying to be irreverent wherever possible. A lot of young start-up clothing brands have grown by getting wide distribution in small boutiques around the country. We decided to go the other way and sell online, cut out the retail mark-up, and deliver the value back to customers. Far fewer companies are doing it this way and we hope that doesn’t change!

4. Why do you focus just online? Any desire to sell to retailers?

Our main focus is the customer and delivering great products at great prices. People are ecstatic about finding a high quality $80 needlepoint belt. Traditional retail distribution has prohibited us from doing that.

5. Where do you go for inspiration?

I have a few friends and mentors who are entrepreneurs. Brainstorming with them is always a great way to get fired up about running an upstart company.

6. What was the last book you read?

The Maltese Falcon

7. Favorite movie of all time?

Gotta be Major League.

8. Favorite cocktail?

3 way tie between Gin and Tonic, Mt. Gay Rum and Tonic, and Ramos Fizz

9. What can we expect from Tucker Blair over the next few months?

We’re going to greatly expand our belt offerings. 12 months from now we should have about twice as many belts as we do today – and our designs keep getting better and better. We’re also expanding our polo shirt line this
spring.

10. What other business ventures can we expect from you?

I’m also kicking around ideas with friends. I’m fully committed to Tucker Blair right now, but am excited about some other ideas I have.

11. How did you start Tucker Blair? Did you need investors? Partners?

Credit Cards and personal funds. I’ve been approached by a few outside investors but I don’t want to give up any of the ownership!

12. How do you get the word out?

Very low cost, social media and grassroots marketing. Now we’re starting to get in to a more structure marketing campaign. Zach has also been doing an
amazing job on our PR efforts

13. If your not wearing Tucker Blair, what are your favorite brands to
wear?

I’ve become a big fan of Bonobos pants and I have a ton of Jmclaughlin shirts.

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Seth Weisser from What Goes Around Comes Around

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Claudine Gumbel learns what inspires Seth Weisser from What Goes Around Comes Around.

1. What made you decide to start your own collection? What inspires you when you create the collection?

After more than a decade of having a successful boutique in Soho and being a vintage connoisseur, my partner Gerard and I felt it was the right time for us to create a collection inspired by our best and favorite vintage finds. We were inspired by so many incredible pieces of clothing during our worldwide search for the finest vintage that we knew we were in the perfect position to position our experience into a true lifestyle brand. Our inspiration comes from many outlets; our vintage collection, our travels across the globe, perfectly preserved interiors, and, first and foremost, the rock ‘n roll stars and their lifestyles.

2. You have the best vintage collection ever – where do you find everything? Where do you like to travel to find the most “loot”? Do you consider yourself a hunter?

We have been on “World Tour” since 1993, going everywhere and anywhere we can to find the next best thing. No one spot is the true go-to for us. We find our treasures across the USA as well as Europe and Asia . This past fall we were in Japan to present our vintage-inspired What Goes Around Come Around Collection and were also lucky enough to have an amazing vintage shopping experience in Tokyo . I would definitely refer to Gerard and myself as “hunters,” that is what it takes. We are always looking for those “Holy Grail” finds on our endless pursuit of the best vintage.

3. I love the custom vintage collection – what made you design this as part of the collection … how do you get the concepts behind this collection?

After a few years of creating the What Goes Around Comes Around Collection, we began to make some customize vintage pieces for our stores to create a nice bridge between our collection and our vintage merchandise. The concepts behind WGACA Custom Vintage are meant to complement the theme in our main collection, therefore the pieces change seasonally as well. Custom Vintage is a great unique addition to WGACA’s brand direction.

4. Do you believe in past lives and if so what/who were you in your past life?

Yes, I think that some souls are “old souls” and consider myself one. I think that I was a regal Bengal tiger in a former life.

5. What was your best trip ever and where do you want to travel next?

My best trip ever was my latest trip to Tokyo . We were featured in an incredible fashion event called the Tokyo Girls Collections.

Additionally, WGACA was a featured pop up store and drew a line of 1,500 people. I had an incredible shopping there, and I was also able to experience the Japanese lifestyle, which is an incredible fashionable culture and retail market. Next? I would love to go to Scandinavia and hunt those markets.

6. Who is your favorite artist, musician, photographer – who inspires you?

Dali because he is so original. Musician is Pink Floyd who created their own form of music and evolved the platform. Favorite photographer would be Steven Meisel.

7. You have the 2nd best vintage concert tee collection I know… a guy I know has an awesome personal collection but you sell those t-shirt finds… now selling concert tees – you must love MUSIC… what do you listen too?

I love classic rock and roll. There are so many different forms from Hendrix, Doors, Pink Floyd, you name it, and each has its own method and translation. It really inspires me creatively.

8. If you were stranded on an island what book would you take with you?

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

9. Who inspires you fashion wise – what is your staple uniform? If you had to live in one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I am inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano. I don’t wear their designs, but I believe they are true artists and elevate fashion. My typical uniform consists of my vintage levis , classic rock tee and converse.

One piece? Impossible.

10. What was the most memorable day of your life thus far and why?

My life has been filled with so many important moments that its impossible to select just one.

Bonus question:
11. Leave us with a quote – something you make up or a quote that you just love to repeat

What goes around comes around baby!

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Interview with House of Cassette’s-Peter James Lee

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Claudine Gumbel sat down with Peter James Lee, who in addition to being a photographer, blogger, dj, and gardener also happens to be the founder and designer for Cassette (www.houseofcassette.com). The work of Peter James Lee can be found in the most respected fashion retailers around the world. The likes of Barneys, Fred Segal and Oak to name a few have picked up on House of Cassette.

1. What are you working on?  What is taking up the majority of your time right now?

It changes from day to day…. If you want up to the minute tabs on me, friend me on twitter.. www.twitter.com/nyc_paris. Aside from Designing/Consulting…. I’ve been focusing on my photography and have been DJ’ing more and more…. And have started a new blog. www.nycparislondonhktokyola.com my six favorite fashion cities..

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2. What are your favorite places to chill out + what cities are they located in?

Depending if it’s in a city or a remote location.. If it’s city (work related)it would be hanging out with friends and seeing the morning sun peep through the roll down gate of the bar that has been long since closed.. A sure sign of good conversations worth the headache of the next day.. My favorite remote location would have to be deep inside of huge mack’n barrel in Bali or Hawaii. Or snowboarding on top of a freshly powered mountain like Mammoth.

3. Who is your best friend and why?

My MammaCita cuz I’ve known her forever and she still loves me..

4. Do you believe in past lives and if so what/who were you in your past life?

I try to stay Present…

5. What was your best trip ever and where do you want to travel next?

I swear every trip I go on can be turned into a movie… http://www.nycparislondonhktokyola.com/blog/2008/04/15/concert-in-hong-kong-bong/ (I took those photos on stage..)

6. Who is your favorite artist, musician, photographer – who inspires you?

Modern Artist- Matthew Barney’s Cream Master Cycle
Musician-Bob Marley / Led Zeppelin / Sade

7. Do you have a photo you took or a link to a piece of music or a video that speaks to you? Will you share that with me?

Here’s a photo of me charging the famous Bonzai Pipeline in 2006. When ever I look at it.. It says why aren’t you doing this now..?

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8. If you were stranded on an island what book would you take with you? And who would you take with you?

I would trade the book for a surf or a body board.. And I would bring my MommaCita so we can start the world population all over again.

9. Who inspires you fashion wise – what is your staple uniform?  If you had to live in one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Steve McQueen is a classic Dudes Dude fashion icon. One outfit for the rest of my life.. would have to be something durable if I am suppose to wear it for the rest of my life.. Leather Jacket, Tee shirt, Cassette Jeans, and some Redwing boots.. If it’s actually one piece of clothing then I would ask for a pair of Katin Surf Shorts and to be stranded on the island mentioned earlier with surf/body board and my MommaCita.. (smile)

10. What was the most memorable day of your life thus far and why?

This is always a tough one and it always changes cuz there’s been so many.. For today I’m remembering that I had a pretty big smile on this day.. http://www.nycparislondonhktokyola.com/blog/2009/01/29/mammoth-0921/

Bonus question:

11. Leave us with a quote – something you make up or a quote that you just love to repeat?

Give Thanks.