Margarita Hirapetian

Archive for the ‘Q&A’ Category

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Q&A: Catherine Malandrino

In Fashion, Q&A on December 9, 2011 at 11:06 pm

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CELEBRATING TEN YEARS AT THE TOP OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY, CATHERINE MALANDRINO CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE AND INSPIRE WOMEN WITH HER WHIMSICAL, FEMININE AND BOLD DESIGNS. THE FRENCH DESIGNER HAS SUCCESSFULLY MERGED HER PARISIAN CHARM WITH CASUAL AMERICAN COOL TO CREATE A LOOK BELOVED THE WORLD OVER; FROM THE STYLISH STREETS OF PARIS TO THE SUNNY SIDEWALKS OF LOS ANGELES.
by Margarita Hirapetian

You recently opened Catherine Malandrino Maison in West Hollywood. What made you decide to open another boutique in Los Angeles?

The boutique on Sunset Boulevard was my first flagship store and keeps a very faithful clientele.
[With Catherine Malandrino Maison] the idea was to create an intimate experience where I am sharing a personal image of friends and family around the Maison. It allows me to express my creativity beyond clothes — as a destination that will speak to all the senses. I want to invite my clients to a one-of-a-kind destination; where you walk through a lobby to get to the living room and share a moment by the fireplace or on an intimate patio.

Who is your ideal client?

She is an individual, a lover and a mother. She travels the world. My ideal woman marries the romance of Paris with the rhythm of New York. I design for a woman that dares to use all the codes of femininity to assert her personality.

Is there a particular city today that can be called the “capital of fashion”?

For many years, Paris was known for its traditional craftsmanship and France was the capital of couture. Milan owns sartorial for traditional men’s wear. However, New York today has become an eclectic international scene that is very rich for the designer world.

How important is it for a contemporary designer to work with celebrities?

Dressing the stars enables you to connect with people you admire. I dress a wide range of celebrities including Mary J. Blige, Eva Mendes, Beyoncé, Demi Moore and Charlize Theron.

Celebrity support began 10 years ago with the flag chiffon dress and Madonna during her world tour.

Why did you re-release your iconic American Flag dress in 2008?

This is the dress that placed me on stage eight years ago. After September 11th it became a symbol of freedom for women. With a new election this year, I felt the world needed a change and my “Flag” dress is illustrating my vision of the next step for America.

How would you like to see your brand grow in the next several years?

I want to continue my personal path, and be able to portray my messages through my designs to empower women everywhere.
[ 651-653 N La Cienega
/catherinemalandrino.com ]

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Q&A: Perez Hilton

In Q&A on October 15, 2009 at 2:16 am

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Whether you love him or have a personal vendetta against him, you have to admit Perez Hilton is making quite an impact these days. Up at 4am to feed our insatiable hunger for celebrity scandal, Hilton has no qualms about airing everyone’s dirty laundry. With eleven million unique visitors a month, he’s here to stay so get used to it.

by Margarita Hirapetian

Do you consider yourself a celebrity?

Some people might perceive me to be a celebrity, but I don’t treat myself like one. I’m just a dude with a website that fortunately a lot of people read. For every two people that like me, there are probably three that don’t, so that helps keep me grounded.

Have you ever had an awkward meeting with a celebrity that you’d bashed in a post?

That definitely happens regularly. I just stand there and take it. I dish it so I have to be able to take it. It’d be very hypocritical of me not to.

Did Hollywood play a role in inspiring you to get healthier and lose weight?

I was inspired to get healthier and lose weight cause I wanted to get laid. This is an LA magazine, so what’s up LA boys? Step up to the plate. I’m ready to get laid or date or whatever.

How do you account for your success?

I was one of the first around. Whenever you’re ahead of the curve, that definitely helps. I think people really like knowing that they can go to my website and get the latest breaking news, and that every time they come there’s something new.

I’ve noticed you give Jennifer Aniston a tough time. Why is that?

I mean, I don’t hate her, but I don’t really care for her. I think she’s not appreciative of her fans. She’s not that talented. She doesn’t use her celebrity for good. What is Jennifer Aniston really doing to make the world a better place? Not much.

What inspired you to doodle on celebrities’ pictures?

It was just another way for me to entertain my readers. When I sit down to work on the website I ask myself, ‘how can I present these words and images in as entertaining a way as possible?’ That’s why I draw on the pictures, that’s why I give celebrities nicknames. It’s different ways of entertaining people.

Do you worry about putting too much political news on a celebrity gossip blog?

No. The website is called perezhilton.com so inherently it’s one person’s take on the world. It’s my filter on what’s going on and whatever I find interesting. And these days politicians are celebrities. Look at Sarah Palin — she became an overnight sensation. The funny thing is I think everyone assumes that I’m a Democrat but I’m not.

What’s your advice for making it in Hollywood?

As they say in Gypsy, “you gotta get a gimmick, if you wanna get ahead.” Get a gimmick, be original, do something different. If you wanna make it and you don’t have connections, you have to work harder than everyone else.

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Q&A: Samantha Harris

In Q&A on October 15, 2009 at 2:10 am

Q&A: Samantha Harris

SHE’S THE MISTRESS OF THE MIC WHO’S BEEN BRINGING COUNTLESS CELEBRITIES INTO OUR HOMES FOR ALMOST A DECADE BEGINNING WITH HOSTING DUTIES ON EXTRA, THE E! NETWORK AND MOST RECENTLY, NBC’S DANCING WITH THE STARS. FOR SAMANTHA HARRIS, BEING VIEWED BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY WEEK IS JUST PART OF THE JOB, BUT SHE ISN’T CONTENT WITH SIMPLY REPORTING ON ALL THE ACTION. HARRIS OFTEN JOINS IN ON THE FUN HERSELF, PERFORMING WITH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, SINGING WITH WAYNE NEWTON, AND DOING THE JIVE WITH HER DWTS CO-HOST TOM BERGERON. THE SEASONED ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST IS STILL AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HER WORK AS SHE WAS DURING HER EARLY YEARS IN LA, GOING FROM ONE AUDITION TO THE NEXT. NEVER TAKING “NO” FOR AN ANSWER, HARRIS EVENTUALLY LANDED HER DREAM JOB, AND IS NOW FULLY ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF HER LABOR.

by Margarita Hirapetian

What was it like performing the jive on live TV?

The jive was a very humbling experience. I grew up in a family of dancers and always thought of myself as a dancer until I walked onto the ballroom floor and saw all the pros from our show. I realized I’m really just a mover. It was an eye-opening experience.

Do you plan on performing again?

I would love to do another dance, but it’s not about us. It’s about the dancers on the show. I don’t know how many people really wanna see Tom and I dance. My mom wants me to dance again, and my grandmother, so maybe for them one day.

Of all the past winners, who do you think deserved it the most?

I think it’s too hard to judge. I think everyone from their particular season deserved it. I’m boring, I know. I’m
too boring to actually say who is the best, but I do think all of them were the right choices to win.

Which of the past contestants would you like to see battle it out in a dance-off?

Well, I think doing an all-star season would be amazing, and we’re at a point where we have enough people to choose from. I think it’d be cool to see Sabrina Bryan versus Mel B. That would be pretty hot.

Do you ever play favorites with the contestants?

I don’t think I could actually say I have a favorite. I think Jerry Springer was the biggest pleasant surprise because we all had a preconceived notion of who he was from his show. Also, Drew Lachey is a great guy. We became friends and have occasionally gone out as couples on double dates with my husband and his wife.

Do you remember the first celebrity interview you ever did?

Keanu Reeves, in Minneapolis. It was a movie of his called Johnny Mnemonic. It was luck of the draw
and I got to do the interview. It was very exciting cause I had a crush on him. I got him to quote
Shakespeare, which was a strange thing to do with the guy you knew from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Who’s been your toughest interview so far?

You know, it’s not a question I’d wanna answer. In the past I’ve made the mistake of answering who is the most difficult and it always comes back to bite you in the ass. I will tell you though that some actors are very tough interviews. To be honest, I love the interviews that are challenging because they keep me on my toes and they keep me thinking.

What’s it like being on the other side of the mic?

It’s weird being on this side. I like asking the questions. It’s very weird giving the reply.

What’s coming up on this season of Dancing with the Stars?

There’s gonna be a lot of things that will make people wanna tune in. I know I would wanna tune in even if I wasn’t hosting it. This job is so ridiculously fun that I feel almost guilty for having it.
[ samantha-harris.com ]

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