To keep on with our interviewing streak, I decided to take a crack at interviewing Daniel Saynt, Fashion Indie Media’s President & Founder. Why? Cause he’s a self-satisfying, media whore who made me do it, that’s why.
RA: What makes Fashion Indie different from other blogs/fashion sites?
DS: We have hotter staff. Yeah, here’s looking at you kid. *wink. Nah, you’re all ugly mo-fos. (Rebecca proceeds to beat Daniel with notebook). Sorry, we are different cause we actually care about the designers we write about. Most fashion blogs out there focus on the big names, the Marcs, the Laurens, the Guccis. We look at the newbies and get to know them and really want them to succeed and be discovered. Also, we don’t take fashion too seriously. We just kind of enjoy it for what it is so you’ll never find “stick up my ass” Vogue-like reviews in here. I guess people like that.
RA: How does it make you feel that Fashion Indie is one of the most visited young fashion sites on the web?
DS: It makes me feel proud. We put a lot of work into this and I always hope it shows. It also makes me feel exhausted, this sh*t ain’t easy.
RA: What are Fashion Indie’s goals for the future?
DS: Our goal is to build on the base we’ve created. We want the site to grow bigger and really encompass all aspects of independent fashion. We’ve worked out some creative deals to build our content and connect to bigger organizations. In events we want to take our fashion parties global, infusing a generation with exciting new designers. We’ve structured ourselves for growth and are now starting to see our company get recognition from WWD, Lucky Mag and others.
RA: Fashion Indie and Trendible are merging. Tell us a little about that?
DS: I’ve been playing double duty at Trendible and Fashion Indie for nearly a year now. Now Trendible has offered me a CEO position which would allow me to work on both companies together. The goal would be to engage Trendible’s platform into a bunch of the projects and events we are currently working on. It’ll also secure some much needed tech folks (I’ve been doing the tech here for some time) and some major street cred (Trendible’s founders former company was responsible for the Fendi Great Wall of China show). Basically it’s all a plot to ensure I retire with a couple hundred million in the bank.
RA: You’re business partner Busie doesn’t have a presence on the blog. What does she do at Fashion Indie?
DS: Busie is our behind the scenes gal. She helps connect the dots on a ton of our projects and is the point person for any organizational nuggets at Fashion Indie. In addition, she keeps us connected to the dozens of charitable organizations we work with and will be heading up our personal charity, Designers for Humanity.
RA: Your background is in business, what attracts you to the fashion world?
DS: The models, duh.
RA: You eat, breathe, and live Fashion Indie. How do you make time for a personal life?
DS: I honestly have no idea. It just happens. Plus all my friends seem to be in the industry and I consider our staff to be friendlies I’d hang out with. (we try not to hire lame-o’s.)
RA: Have you ever been star struck by anyone you met?
DS: Only Tyra Banks. I was on her talk show two years ago talking about racism in fashion. I couldn’t talk to her without smiling which made it really ineffective when I was talking about the seriousness of the problem. When off camera, I told her I loved her and proposed marriage. Still haven’t heard back from her. (sounds like a joke, but it’s totally true.)
RA: What about fashion week are you looking forward to and who are your favorite desigers?
DS: Looking forward to our shows with indie darlings Love Brigade and the insanely addictive New York Couture. Their collections are totally different so we’re expecting two crazy crowds. In terms of designers I really want to see where Marc Jacobs takes his collection after his public bashing. I also want to see what Gregory Rogan brings since his CFDA win and if Philip Lim can make a menswear line I’d actually want/fit into to. Also,want to see what FORM does this season (love them) and if the People’s Republic shows are as good as they we’re last year. Also, Rock & Republic, Varvatos and Buckler cause they make my dookie twinkle.
RA: You keep arguing the “Death of the Trend”. Explain.
DS: It’s not so much the “Death of the Trend” it’s more of a lack of need for them. People are slowly, but surely, discovering their personal style and keeping with it. They are looking outside of the traditional designers for inspiration and focusing on the ones they personally discover. Blogs and website, like the wondrous FashionIndie.com, allow users to get style advice from a new slew of inspirators; also see - why celebrities suck lately.
Trends will always remain in the mainstream front, since mass production designers need to stay safe and sell, but the continued flow of young talent suggests that there are more options out their for consumers. More options, mean more choices, means less dependence on trend driven mainstreamers. a.k.a. The Death of the Trend.
RA: So you’ve heard that “luxury has lost it’s luster” a big theme in “Deluxe - How Luxury Lost it’s Luster” (Great Book, Buy it now!!!), but you still carry around a black Louise Vuitton messenger bag…
DS: What can I say Marc loves me. He sent it after he lost a sh*t load of weight, before he headed to rehab. (Do you see the connection people? I do. Can someone write a nose candy diet book already?).
Who started the vicious cycle? I blame Courtney Love.
Nah, the bag was a gift from a very special lady. I wear it cause it’s brown and black, two colors that I wear a ton. In addition, I don’t necessarily subscribe to the whole lost luxury thought process. While I do question what brands push out as “Luxury” I feel that it is the consumer who eventually shapes their own thoughts on status and branding. That view affects the way they see others who can spend ridiculously. In the end, it’s all good for the economy and the rich folks need something to spend their money on, right?
RA: It is rumored that you want to start your own capsule clothing collection. Is it true? And with so many friends in the industry, who are you looking to collaborate with?
DS: It’s true. I have been considering the possibility of a capsule collection. I feel that I have a really good idea of what’s needed in the market especially for men. There are pieces out there that just don’t exist and I want to make them. Something along the lines of smart, functional urbanite clothes and outerwear, with an accessory or two for good measure. As for collaborators, the options are open but I love the collections of Wrath Arcane, Love Brigade, Endovanera, and Guilded Age. We’ll see what happens, but it should be really, really good and heavily promoted on FashionIndie.com. (make that money).
Possible space in Williamsburg
RA: It is also rumored that Fashion Indie plans to open a retail space. Tell us about that.
DS: Rumors are true. We are shopping around for a space in Billyburg right now. Actually, as I answer these questions I am walking a giant loft space near the L Train. We want to bring together the international designers we’ve discovered and provide a new kind of shopping experience with live video feeds, an interactive meet the designer projection screen, and the kind of fashions you can’t find anywhere in the USA. We are expecting to open up in March, right in time for my 25th birthday.
RA: Thanks Daniel for taking time out of your oh so busy schedule to talk about you, I know it’s been a terribly long two hours… And please no more self absorbing Daniel Saynt interviews! I have actual designers to interview…
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Looking to host a major Sample Sale?
