Project Runway fans… and Cleveland peeps…. Look at who I got to interview! <insert squeal!!>
Yes – its Valerie Mayen from Project Runway!
Currently Valerie is rocking it in her hometown (and mine) of Cleveland with her own amazing store, The YellowCake Shop! This fabulous boutique showcases all of the reasons why we LOVE Valerie.
Valerie answered a LOT of fashion questions that we all have… see what I mean?
1. Fill in the blank: Every woman needs _____________ in their closet
A healthy assortment of opaque tights, knee highs and colorful winter accessories to still feel like a girl and look like a lady during those harsh winter months!
2. Who do you admire the most in the fashion world?
Prabal Gurung – he’s a great designer with a humble heart. Also, Isabel Toledo- she marches to the beat of her own drum and managed to build her success her way.
3. How did being on Project Runway “make it work” for your career?
I had YellowCake Shop before I was on Project Runway, but the show helped with gaining a few opportunities here and there that helped grow my momentum and the trajectory that YellowCake Shop was currently on. It also helped with a bit of cash-flow and income as far as speaking engagements and commissions were concerned.
4. Best advice that Tim Gunn gave you was…
Don’t Gild the Lilly.
5. Three words to describe your design style:
Bright, Fun, & Modern
6. Where do you find inspiration while you do your sketching?
Gap press, Pinterest, Vogue collections, Vintage magazines pre 1950, my own wardrobe, Tokyo fashion scene (online), architecture, nature.
7. What advice can you give to anyone as they stare into their closets and feel like they have nothing to wear?
Pull out things you haven’t worn in over a year, then make your best friend hold you to the challenge of having to wear at least one item a day for a week (or more depending on how much you haven’t worn in a year). This forces you to be creative in styling how you might wear something, especially if you haven’t worn it in a while. Then, whatever you don’t wear in a week-donate or sell to Platos Closet. I only shop after I’ve purged. Then…shop at YellowCake Shop. duh.
8. What events to you have coming up that we can look forward to?
A special “mini” hullabaloo outdoor summer event coming early June – details will be released end of March/early April. This year will be our 4th year! We are still in the process of nailing down the venue but we are anticipating 1500 in attendance. We will begin selling tickets mid summer. The event is typically in the fall – but this year we are having the event on a Saturday as opposed to a Friday. It will most likely be early November. Visit www.doyoubaloo.com for info from last year’s event.
9. Congrats on being nominated for this year’s “Best of Cleveland” – What do you feel Cleveland’s style vibe is?
Not really sure on Cleveland’s style vibe…it’s kid of all over the place. It depends on what neighborhood you’re in or what circle you run in, really. It runs from conservative to scantily clad, modern minimalist to uber trendy, contemporary retro to street style…i think Cleveland is a bit of a fashion melting pot…whether that’s good or bad, I’m not sure. But i don’t think it really matters.
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