Ah! Last minute packing for my trip to San Diego - going to see ASR courtesy of ASR & Hype Circle.  I can’t think of San Diego without thinking of one of the funniest Will Ferrel movies, Anchorman, and of course, my favorite quote from the movie….

Stay Classy

Vans and Hellz collaborated on two sick styles coming out soon. When Lanie and the Hellz crew came by the M.I.S.S. Paper Dolls opening in LA, Brittany filmed me for a video testimonial wall that was going to be playing in the background at the Vans x Hellz launch party. Here is my testimonial in all of its silly glory…

A while back I was asked to weigh in on Stylesight’s “Next Big Question” for the January newsletter. You can read my answer below and you can read the full article on Stylesight.com.

“It seems like everyone in the business is collaborating with someone, but the projects that make sense are usually few and far between. Target and H&M are the most notable and consistent, and though the projects produce great designer clothing at affordable prices, I think these types of partnerships are getting a bit stale. Celebrities are also collaborating with many brands, such as Kanye West for Louis Vuitton, but I find the product uninspired.

I think consumers will start to get bored by these projects, and I think we’ll see more partnerships that are really true to the essence of collaborating – where a company taps a designer, from an entirely different field, to design a product they have never created before. For example, when Target or H&M invites leading fashion designers to design clothes, you know the end result: beautiful clothing. But, when you have an artist who has never designed a particular product add his personal touch to that product, the end result is usually genius.

My favorite example of a true collaboration is Frank Gehry’s jewelry collection for Tiffany & Co.  Frank Gehry, the renowned architect, is a master at creating breathtaking structures. Though he never designed jewelry before, his ability to create 3-D sculptural pieces enabled him to lend his artistic eye to creating jewelry. I also enjoyed Vivienne Westwood’s recent collaboration with Cole & Son to create wallpaper, architect Zaha Hadid’s designs for Lacoste and Melissa Shoes and Sylvie Fleury’s “Stolen Kisses” wine glasses and champagne flutes for Dom Pérignon. These types of projects utilize the designers’ innate talents to create something they don’t normally produce.

As far as my ideal projects, I think Pantone should collaborate with a cosmetics and fragrance company, and I’d love to see what kind of furniture and home accessories Frank Gehry would create. Apple has really clean product design; it would be nice to see them apply their look to non-technology-related products.”

One of my favorite parts of the Sunday NY Times are the Corner Office interviews - it’s a short interview with a different CEO each week.  This week, Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics was interviewed and I wanted to share it here - it’s republished from the NY Times and you can see it on the NY Times website too.

Q. How do you hire?

A. When I interview someone, I know in the first two minutes if I like them or not. I find that if it’s easy to talk to someone and I see an openness and honesty and integrity, then I usually hire them.

Q. Tell me more about what you’re looking for.

A. I don’t think about interviewing them for work. I first try to understand who they are as people. I usually have someone’s résumé, but I never look at it until they sit down. Then I say, “O.K., take me through the résumé.”

The most important thing is people need to be themselves. And someone could be totally, on paper, perfect for the job. But they might not have the openness, the vision. I like when people bring energy, creativity, newness to me.

Q. What else?

A. Communicating. To me, this is probably the biggest thing. If it’s the right person, I can barely speak and they understand what I’m saying. But if it’s not the right person, they have trouble understanding, because creative people are not like other people. Any other creative C.E.O. will understand what I’m talking about.

I never learned management. I never went to business school. I’m an artist. I happened to have really clear ideas of what I thought my business should be.

Q. If you could ask only one or two questions in a job interview, what would they be?

A. Why do you want to work here, and what do you love?

Q. What else have you learned over the years about running a business?

A. I’ve learned that I am allowed to say what I like and what I don’t like. And I’ve learned that I have to be professional and not be everyone’s best friend. That’s probably the biggest thing for me because I hire people I really like, who I enjoy spending time with. And when I’m close to someone, I might not have my distance.

Q. Give me an example.

A. If you know me, I have a certain way of saying something, and you’re not insulted. But when you’re in top management, not everyone understands you. So you have to be careful, and you have to just make sure that you don’t insult anyone.

Q. How are you a different leader today than you were 5 or 10 years ago?

A. Well, I think 5 or 10 years ago, I thought I should be a certain way. I thought I should be the way I would think a corporate person would be. And I realized that the most important thing I could ever do, in my life and in my business, is be who I am. I would wear high shoes. I’d wear black suits. I’d go into these meetings and there was something wrong. I never knew what it was. It just was never 100 percent right.

I used to have an office up in the G.M. Building [just off Central Park]. Now we work downtown. I have high heels in my bags if I need them for a shoot. But I like sneakers. I like being comfortable. I like to sit on the floor with my team and work. I don’t like to sit in fancy chairs. It’s really important to the culture of my company that people understand who they’re working for.

Q. Were there other moments where things didn’t feel right?

A. Well, I’ve had people who maybe were in marketing or product development who didn’t understand that it’s not just my name on something. I actually get involved in every single thing.

It’s not about you doing the work and presenting it to me. I want someone to see me in the hallway and say: “Look at this bottle. What do you think of this?” So those are the people I work well with because I don’t like wasting time and I don’t like people wasting money.

And, often, if people are off doing their own thing and presenting it to me, it’s probably not my vision. I like to be part of the process. I started this company, by myself, with one lipstick.

Q. Are you a gadget person?

A. I don’t e-mail people. I call them because I want them to hear my voice.

Q. Never e-mail?

A. I just think people need to hear people’s voices, and it takes a second. I don’t want to have an e-mail relationship. I just think that something is lost.

Q. What’s your best career advice?

A. When you’re talking to someone, look them in the eye. Always tell the truth. And you have to start at the bottom. I don’t care who you are and what you do, you have to start at the bottom. If there’s a job as a receptionist at a company you would love to work at and there’s nothing else, get that job. And don’t just sit there.

A lot of people have moved up in this company. Be open and be a sponge. I’ve always been a sponge. You’re around really cool, creative people, you see what they’re doing, how they’re dressing, what they’re reading, what their tastes are. I mean that’s what makes someone better at what they do — they’re just open to what’s going on.

“The extent to which you have a design style, is the extent to which you have not solved the design problem.”
-Charles Eames

One of the benefits of moving out to the ‘burbs is that we didn’t blow our whole budget on the house - we actually had some money left over to furnish the house.  If we had bought a house in San Francisco we would have been sitting on boxes - really.

At first we were a bit daunted by the task of furnishing and styling an entire house, but as we did more research it became less scary and more fun.  We knew two things from the start: (1) We were not going to Ikea this time (a first!); and (2) we loved Eames designs.

As we started shopping and budgeting, we realized a lot of our budget was going to seating - mostly because we felt it absolutely necessary to have Eames chairs (that, and apparently, we have golden asses).  Not only did we love the design, but I also loved the story.  Ray and Charles Eames were not brothers - they were husband and wife.  Ray was very petite which is also why so many of the chairs are low to the ground - and I’m actually comfortable in them because I, like Ray, am very petite.

Most of the furniture shopping is done and I’m happy to say that we chose pieces that we will love for a lifetime - truly investment pieces that I hope our family will enjoy for generations to come.  The pieces we selected are below - in the colors that we chose them in.

I also posted 3 videos: The first 2 are from NBC in 1956 where Charles & Ray Eames introduce their Lounge & Ottoman.  The third video is a talk given by their grandson with exclusive photos and video clips - a really good insight into their design process.  Definitely worth watching - I get inspired just sitting in these chairs - they are the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in!

Eames® Lounge and Ottoman

Eames® Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, LCW

Eames® Molded Plastic Armchair & Eames® Molded Plastic Side Chair

Eames® Aluminum Management Chair with Pneumatic Lift and Eames® Molded Plastic Rocker

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Mitsy Avila Ovalles, "Untitled" SOLD

Last Thursday, the M.I.S.S ladies got on planes and hopped into cars to make our way down to Los Angeles for our first ever art show, “Paper Dolls” at FIFTY24LA Gallery. It was a great excuse to see the ladies since we mostly work over the phone and via email - when we’re all together watch out - we form like Voltron and tear shit up!

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Post Reception M.I.S.S. Dinner at Roscoes!

The show was a success with tons of people out and about for Downtown LA Art Walk, we had a steady stream of visitors and a few no-shows (damn LA parking!). It was great to connect with people we haven’t seen in a while like Laura Knapp, Lanie from Hellz and the DMPC ladies; It was also nice to finally meet ladies that we’ve worked with but hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting in person like Jaq from Nola Darling, Sarah Morrison of internet fame and Melinda of Her Nails. One of the highlights for me was finally meeting Estevan Oriol, whose store The Last Laugh is next door, who came by to check out the show.

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Lanie Alabanza-Barcena & the Hellz Crew

The show would never have come together without the participation of so many talented artists whose work is so diverse. I am proud to have such an eclectic showing of pieces all with varying interpretations of the paper doll (and many of them sans clothing!) - with many pieces coming in from around the country (and some other countries too!). Many many thanks go out to all the participating artists: Adriana Yugovitch, Alice Mizrachi, Amanda Lopez, Branden Collins, Claw Money, Esther Kim, Farah Siozon, Fawn Gehweiler, Ilisha Helfman, Indie184, Insa, J. David Mckenney, Kelly Tunstall, Kerin.Rose, Kime Buzzelli, Leola Bermanzohn, Lisa Perrin, Liz Sullivan, Magda Sayeg (Knitta Please), Martina Fugazzotto, Melly Elliott, Miss Kika, Mitsy Avila Ovalles, Molly Crabapple, Narcissister, Nicole Markoff, Nubby Twiglet, Paulina Quintana, Queen Andrea, Sahara Marina Borja, Shin Tanaka, Sofia Maldonado, Solarspace (Austin Pinon), Tone Tank, and Toofly.

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Fawn Gehweiler "Forest Girl" $150

A very big special thank you to the ladies who made this happen - Kimberly Jefferson and Lexx Valdez - as well as the L.A.-based M.I.S.S. interns Leilanie, Felicia and Ashley! Big hugs! And last but not least, many thanks to the Upper Playground family, FIFTY24LA, Krista & Melinda.

Please check out the Paper Dolls gallery to see photos of some of our visitors and all of the art pieces (a few pieces are missing - we’re getting those photos and will update the post shortly!). All of the items are for sale unless they are marked as SOLD. If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please email us at miss@missomnimedia.com with the name of the piece and the artist who created it.

The show runs until March 3, 2010 so if you missed the opening you have some time to check it out and there’s also the February Downtown LA Art Walk on February 11, 2010.

Thanks for all of your support and we look forward to putting together more events that push the culture forward and bring ladies together.

xoxo
GDK

M.I.S.S. Paper Dolls @ FIFTY24LA: Sneak Peek Adriana Yugovitch

Tomorrow I’m heading down to LA for the opening of M.I.S.S’s first-ever curated art exhibit, Paper Dolls!

M.I.S.S. Paper Dolls @ FIFTY24LA: Sneak Peek Claw Money & Farah Siozon

Here’s a little sneak peek of what you’ll see there - and I hope to see YOU there!

M.I.S.S. Paper Dolls @ FIFTY24LA: Sneak Peek Fawn Gehweiler & Kelly Tunstall & Ilisha Helfman

“Paper Dolls” features new works on display at FIFTY24LA Gallery from January 14, 2010 through March 3, 2010.

Opening/Downtown LA Art Walk: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Second Opening/Downtown LA Art Walk: Thursday, February 11, 2010

FIFTY24LA GALLERY
125 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.623.4300
Tuesday – Saturday 12 to 6

A few months ago M.I.S.S. produced and art directed the look book for Office Tramp’s “Roses Aren’t Red” capsule collection. I love the way everything turned out - you can’t go wrong when you have strong product and a strong team. Many thanks to Gina Valdez at Office Tramp, Amanda Lopez, Liz Baca, Jenni Tay and Santé Johnson.

M.I.S.S. Editorial:Office Tramp 2010 “Roses Aren’t Red" Capsule Collection

And check out the behind the scenes video…

M.I.S.S., has teamed up with Upper Playground to curate its first ever art show at FIFTY24LA Gallery. In keeping with our love of fashion and art, we are very excited to present “Paper Dolls” - a group show displaying new works by artists and their interpretation of the paper doll.

Curated by M.I.S.S. editors Lexx Valdez and Kimberly Jefferson, these ladies put together an impressive array of artists including: Adriana Yugovitch, Alice Mizrachi, Amanda Lopez, Branden Collins, Claw Money, Esther Kim, Farah Siozon, Fawn Gehweiler, Ilisha Helfman, Indie184, Insa, J. David Mckenney, Katie Rodgers, Kelly Tunstall, Kerin.Rose, Kim Moloney, Kime Buzzelli, Lanie Alabanza-Barcena, Leola Bermanzohn, Lisa Perrin, Liz Sullivan, Magda Sayeg (Knitta Please), Martina Fugazzotto, Melly Elliott, Miss Kika, Mitsy Avila Ovalles, Molly Crabapple, Narcissister, Nicole Markoff, Nubby Twiglet, Paulina Quintana, Queen Andrea, Sahara Marina Borja, Shin Tanaka, Sofia Maldonado, Solarspace, Tone Tank, and Toofly.

Using the iconic paper doll as inspiration, each artist offers his or her own artistic interpretation of the woman’s fashion figure. From photographs, illustrations and paintings, there are varied expressions of the paper doll – all with the signature touches of each artist.

Stay tuned to MissOmniMedia.com for daily posts on each contributing artist with examples of his or her works.

”Paper Dolls” features new works on display at FIFTY24LA Gallery from January 14, 2010 through March 3, 2010. Please spread the word and we hope to see you there!

Opening/Downtown LA Art Walk: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Second Opening/Downtown LA Art Walk: Thursday, February 11, 2010

FIFTY24LA GALLERY
125 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.623.4300
Tuesday - Saturday 12 to 6

Uncommon iPhone Cases

I recently teamed up with Uncommon and submitted some re-worked Mama graphics for iPhone cases. Unlike skins, Uncommon actually produces hard cases so your equipment is protected and looks fly.

It’s exciting to see my graphics on something other than t-shirts! If you want to cover your iPhone in style, you can get the cases on the Uncommon website.

Uncommon Phone Cases: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee

Uncommon Phone Cases: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee