Fab Interview

In the past couple of years, we've witnessed a number of talented designers forced to fold their business due to the ever-changing fashion industry and economic hardships. In times like these, it's always good to get some advice from someone who has been in the business for a while now — someone like Joe Zee. We recently chatted with the creative director of Elle Magazine and star/mentor of reality fashion show, All on the Line, about what to do, what not to do, and everything else in between. Listen up to what he has to say:

FabSugar: What has your experience been like on All on the Line and mentoring struggling fashion designers?

JZ: It's not the typical portrayal of fashion, it's something that feels real, genuine, and authentic. I was so moved emotionally. There were times when I was on the floor with them, jacket off, sleeves rolled up trying to help. There were also times when I was so mad at the designers, and there were other times when I wanted to hug them. I was so invested in their final outcome.

FS: Tell us why you think it's so important for designers to understand the business aspect, the balance between creativity and commerce, in the fashion industry.

JZ: People have to live in today, you can't just be an artist for art's sake, because you might as well live upstate with the doors locked with no computer, no phone, and just paint your heart out. Otherwise, if you want to do this for business, you have to start appealing to other people, that's the important thing.

More from Joe on why designers should take business classes, successful and unsuccessful characteristics, and more after the jump

In the middle of Manhattan's Meatpacking District, Tommy Hilfiger launched his 60-piece Prep World capsule collection inside a Cape Cod-inspired beach house that had been specially built solely to serve as the Prep World pop-up shop. We caught up with the designer inside the beach house and got his tips for crisp Summer style, and learned about his not so preppy past.

FabSugar: I love your outfit. Were you always this classic, preppy guy?
Tommy Hilfiger: Well, no. I went through a hippie stage in the '70s: I had long hair and wore bell-bottoms. In the late '70s or early '80s, I went back to preppy because I was sick of the hippie stuff. I cut my hair short, and that's when I designed this line of cool, preppy clothes.

FS: Were you inspired by style icons at the time?
TH: James Dean, Robert Redford, you know, American Hollywood. And then there were the Kennedys. They've always been an inspiration.

FS: What are five basic Summer essentials every woman needs in her cool, preppy closet?
TH: A nautical stripe, navy-and-white long sleeve tee, colored chinos, madras shorts, a man-tailored navy blazer, and a ribbon belt. With some cool docksiders or flip-flops.

FS: What's your favorite piece from the Prep World collection?
TH: I love the men's tuxedo jacket.

FS: The pop-up house is only spending a few days in each city. Why such a short time?
TH: We picked the choicest locations in each city — LA, Paris, London, Madrid, Milan — and so there are limits to how much time we can spend there. Plus, it keeps it exciting. If it's in one place too long, people get tired of it.

FS: If you could put this beach house anywhere for one Summer, where it would be?
TH: Nantucket, on the beach.

Last night, Armani Exchange and 944 magazine hosted an incredible neon carnival in Palm Springs for Coachella attendees complete with Ferris wheels, bumper cars, and fun carnival games. Somewhere between ring tosses and bolder rolls, we caught up with Nicky Hilton — sporting a super cute blue tie-dye dress and Balenciaga bag — during the festivities to talk to about her Coachella essentials, favorite performances, what she has in the hopper with her latest jewelry collection, and more. Listen up to what Nicky has to say:

FabSugar: What are your Coachella essentials?

Nicky Hilton: Definitely sunglasses, flat shoes, and a big purse.

FS: What have been your favorite performances so far?

NH: DJ Steve Angello and Arcade Fire.

FS: How would you describe your festival style?

NH: Colorful and comfy!

FS: What can you tell us about your latest jewelry collection?

NH: The new line will be very deco, Elizabeth Taylor-inspired.

Last night, Alexander Wang and American Express hosted an event at his beautiful flagship store in SoHo. We caught up with the designer to talk about his favorite pieces for Spring, new projects on the horizon, designing red-carpet looks, and more.

FabSugar: What are three Spring essentials every Wang girl should own?

Alexander Wang: I've never been the one to dictate style, but my favorite pieces are really gauzy pieces from the Spring collection with the apron style and worker construction details. I'm also a big fan of leather and we have an exclusive collection here at the flagship store — the leather peacoat is my favorite style. Our new rose gold accessories are also great; the square Jade toiletry clutch is my favorite. It's such an easy day-to-night bag, I would own it if I carried a clutch!

FS: What's your next big challenge?

AW: Even though the new website launched three weeks ago, it's still a really big thing for us. We're working really hard to give it exclusive content, making the shopping content unique; really enhancing everything about it from viewing the collections to special collaborations. It's an exciting project for me because it is something so new and and we're doing a lot of experiments on it.

FS: What is your perspective on street style?

AW: I don't label it street style, it's more individual style and that's how I perceive it from someone walking on the streets or taking the subway. It's that realistic view on things that's so inspiring to me. I've always been inspired by things that are very grounded. There is a certain fantasy to my designs, but I love knowing and understanding that something works — people feel very comfortable around that idea.

FS: Who are some of your favorite musicians of the moment?

AW: In general, musicians are such an inspiration to me, they are always on the pinnacle of creativity. Right now, I really like Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, and Adele.

FS: What did you think of Vanessa Traina's new capsule collection for Maje?

AW: I loved it! I am so proud of her. There's such an authenticity behind her and what she creates. No matter what she does, I think people will respect and admire it because it really comes from her heart and what is true to her. I went to high school with her in San Francisco and she went through the whole process with me, and for her to go through this new venture, I have the same kind of excitement for her as I did when I first started out.

FS: Are there any other new designers we should have on our radar?

AW: Mary Katrantzou has some amazing print work and I have such a respect for her. Her Swiss Textile Award was well-deserved, her designs are just awesome. I'm a big fan of her.

FS: Would you ever be interested in doing more red-carpet looks?

AW: We do it every once in a while, but it has to be the right opportunity for us. I am more interested and inspired by people who have a disinterest in fashion, it's more about what they instinctually put on, rather then being too thought out. But when the opportunity and timing is right for us to do something, we are definitely open to it.

Before we chatted with Maggie Rizer in the front row, we got to speak with young Elite model Lisanne De Jong backstage at BCBGMAXAZRIA's Fall show. Lisanne, who's been a model for three years and hails from Holland, opened up about Fashion Week and her personal style.

FabSugar: What shows are you walking this season?
Lisanne De Jong: This is my first one! It's always last minute so I will book more, but I don't know yet.

FS: What's your favorite go-to item in your closet?
LDJ: It's so hard to decide. Probably my Alexander Wang leopard wedges.

FS: Can you describe your personal style?
LDJ: Comfy, but chic. I'm more of a heels person than sneakers. I like Rag and Bone, and Topshop.

FS: If you weren't a model, what would you be?
LDJ: I would be studying psychology right now.

To see a couple more shots, including one I snapped backstage, read more

We've chatted with Maggie Rizer before, but we once again caught up with the fresh-faced, all-American model who sat front and center at this morning's BCBGMAXAZRIA show alongside Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Ashanti. She answered our questions before the show began and revealed her personal style, favorite designers, and what shows she's looking forward to:

FabSugar: How would you describe your personal style?
Maggie Rizer: Eclectic. Artistic but wearable, like I have all-American style but I love Yohji Yamamoto.

FS: Who are some of your favorite designers?
MR: Yohji, again. Nicolas Ghesquiere [of Balenciaga], Anna Sui.

FS: What shows are you looking forward to?
MR: I'm excited to see Rebecca Taylor. It's so pretty!

FS: What projects are you working on, since you're not doing runway anymore?
MR: A few things here and there. I live in San Francisco now with my husband.

FS: We love San Francisco!
MR: Oh me too! It's so beautiful! We go up to Napa, Mendocino.

FS: Pt. Reyes?
MR: Yes, totally. We were just there. My husband is a sailboat racer so we love being near the water.

FS: Are you a sailor too?
MR: No, I'm horrible! I don't like manual labor.

FS: If you weren't a model, what would you be?
MR: I always wanted to be a veterinarian. But I'm really glad I'm a model!

We recently had a Fab chat with Victoria's Secret Angels Candice Swanepoel, Erin Heatherton, and Lily Aldridge about Valentine's Day. As ambassadors for Victoria's Secret, the girls travel the world spreading the word on lingerie, so who better than them to answer our questions on getting sexy?

Candice Swanepoel likes to "mix it up," but has a more understated approach to Valentine's Day. "I like a lot of lace — I just bought a really sexy black lace bodysuit in the designer section here [at Victoria's Secret]. But on Valentine's Day, I might just do a silk slip. I'll be at home for sure, my boyfriend and I will probably make dinner and hang out," she says. For everyday, the South African beauty admits to loving "cotton panties when I sleep," and if given the choice of unlined or push-up bras, "oh, unlined, for sure. I wear the push-ups a lot when we work so the unlined is a nice break!"

To hear Lily and Erin's Valentine's Day tips, read more

Many a catwalker have taken a stab at designing, but nobody works the model-actress-turned-designer game like Molly Sims. The Holiday collection for her jewelry line, Grayce by Molly Sims, is an array of chic, art deco-inspired pieces that celebrate the effortless style of timeless icons like Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Jackie O. It offers a mix of delicate layering chains, antique drop earrings, and decadent pavé statement necklaces. We got to chat with the statuesque stunner and picked her cool, creative, and superstylish brain. She let us in on some of her personal style secrets and holiday dressing tips, as well as what she'll be gifting her girlfriends this year.