Designer Stacey Lapidus discusses the Mischa Barton for Stacey Lapidus and Holiday lines

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview designer Stacey Lapidus, who worked with Mischa Barton on a limited edition hair accessories line.

Lapidus also launched her own Holiday line of hair accessories, as well as bracelets, belts and scarves.

Lapidus’ designs have been featured in dozens of magazines and even on TV shows such as the popular teen drama Gossip Girl.

The Interview:

Tell me about the Mischa Barton for Stacey Lapidus line. How did that come about? What is the role Mischa plays in the line? What do you think about the collection?

The collaboration came about this past summer, but the story starts a few years back. Mischa Barton was shooting a big ad campaign about 2 years ago and Lori Goldstein, a stylist I knew from Vanity Fair, had borrowed some stuff from my showroom. An assistant called from the shoot to say Mischa loved a few of my headbands and could she purchase them. I was beyond flattered and asked that they please give her anything she wants!

I then started to see pictures pop up in the weeklies of her in the two pieces and as usual, was flattered and overjoyed to see my work not only in print but also on a girl whose style I really love!

This past summer I saw a picture of Mischa in a style that was new and never sent to shoots for her, so I figured she must have bought it at a boutique in LA. I then just threw the idea out of collaborating or designing a collection with her. We contacted her management team with this idea and a day later we had an overjoyed "yes." From that point I looked at Mischa as my muse and designed a few things that were inspired by her clothing and personal style. Once she saw them we then discussed materials, inspirational pieces, and went back and forth between us via email pictures or packages, as she was out of the country when this began. She would look at tons of fabrics and trims I sent, and we would then talk through what we envisioned doing. The collection just came together. (Click here to see a photo of Mischa wearing one of the designs)

I wanted it to scream "Mischa" but also infuse some of my own touches as we collaborated - it was her twist on my designs.

A perfect example is my signature silk and crystal braid. Mischa loves that piece and we wanted to make it in a way that represented her flair, which in my opinion ranges from super classic "Chanel" to boho to rocker. We took that braid and replaced the silk with a more natural material, used rope, and also braided in beads instead of all crystal. We also experimented with flowers and earthy colors and just ended up with a collection that you can see both our influences and touches in. That’s what we were aiming for and I think we achieved, which was crucial to us as it is a blend of both our styles!

How can people buy the Stacey Lapidus line and the Mischa Barton for Stacey Lapidus line? From what I understand, the preview of both lines is available online right now at www.staceylapidus.com but will later on be available in other places in the future.

It will also be available on Mischa’s website. We want it very exclusive now and only people who are fans of our work know about it. We want those who support us and go to our sites to have them first. Our plans for later you will have to stay tuned, but they will be accessible to everyone and will be at retail some time in 2009.

Besides Mischa Barton, what other celebrities have worn some of your designs?

 Sarah Michelle Geller, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Kelly Ripa, Eva Langoria, Hilary Duff, Heidi Klum, Joss Stone, Stacey Kiebler, Paula Abdul, Charlotte Ronson

How do you feel when you see an accessory featured in a magazine layout or cover?

I still get excited like a child and scan and send to my parents first thing! Since I know how many pieces are called in and sent on shoots from being an editor, I know what an honor it is to have yours used, and I email the editor, when it’s someone I know or don’t. I am still overwhelmed that my stuff is pretty enough to get past a run thru and on an actual shoot, let alone getting shot and featured. It’s an incredible form of flattery and helps business, which makes the "suits" very happy! I just get excited that people are featuring hair accessories more and more and not seeing them as a trend but as an accessory that is just as important as a piece of jewelry, shoes or a bag!

Can you tell me about the new Stacey Lapidus holiday line? Do you have a favorite design? What were your inspirations?

For Holiday, I went very dressy that combined with my classic pieces, which are versatile and can be worn both dressy and casual. I feel the holidays are a time when girls want to get dressed up and most importantly stand out. I played with metallics and sequins, and added pieces that can be thrown on to dress up that "little black dress" as well as jeans and a great top or blazer - including silk scarves embellished with sequins and crystal belts that came from my braided headbands that have been my "signature" piece! I also added some more barrettes, as I know an up-do is a popular hairstyle for dress up, or hair when dressed up and these barrettes make a great statement as well as timelessly feminine and chic. I’d have to say my favorite piece is the silk/sequin scarf…I tend to always throw one in my bag and put it on throughout the day when I have to look dressed up, but still want to look casual in jeans and a blazer. As far as my inspiration, I would say it’s the same as always…I just design what I want to wear!

Can you give me a little background about your business — how you got started, etc.

I got started as an accessories editor at Vanity Fair where I developed a passion for accessories and realized that’s what makes a style statement and transforms any outfit…no need to have a closet filled with clothing each season; a simple wardrobe with a wide range of accessories is all it takes to constantly change and evolve your own personal style. I have always been a collector of vintage "pieces" and found that accessories lend so much character, and can so easily transform your wardrobe from season to season. After 5 years I left to help my brother and family launch an accessories website Bagborroworsteal.com. After about 6 months, it grew and moved out to Seattle and unless I wanted to move, I had to find a new job…my brother then told me to launch my own handbag line, as this was his first fashion venture and saw the money to be made in accessories. So about three months later I launched a handbag collection, which has evolved into all types of accessories in the past 4 years.

What do you love about being able to design hair accessories?

They are fun, they have personality, they are functional, there is so much material and trim and fabric out there that one would never think of to use in the hair. When I look at things, I just envision turning them inside out or upside down and they are something that is not taken so seriously and can be simple and classic or wild and fun…people are not as concerned with "status" when it comes to their hair accessories and are much more open to having fun and creating different looks with their hair…and the most fun part is EVERYONE can wear them without worrying or being body conscious as they are with clothing.

Hair accessories are not a new "trend" - if you watch old movies and look at photographs, hairpieces have been worn for decades and I believe women will continue to wear them.

In general, what fashion forecasts can you give us? Are headwraps and headband the “it” thing for the new year? What are your thoughts on fashion accessories for 2009?

They are here to stay, and with fashion icons like Mischa Barton now designing them, they will just get bigger and bigger in the world of accessories, and become just as important as the right shoe or bag.

Is there anything else you would like me to know?

Just that the designs for the Mischa Barton for Stacey Lapidus are done through summer. The collection is probably the best I have ever done with a partner and muse as amazing and smart as Mischa. It was actually the easiest and most fun to design as well. As far as the Stacey Lapidus collection, I am currently working on a diffusion line to make my designs affordable for everyone as they are sold at upscale boutiques and department stores at a high price point…I can’t even afford them! I want everyone to wear them. I have been very eager to do a bridge collection and it is in development so stay tuned for that as well!

Thank you Stacey for such a nice interview!

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL: Read what Stacey Lapidus had to say about seeing her designs on Gossip Girl on Gossip Girl Report!

Images courtesy Stacey Lapidus