May 16, 2011 |
Okay, I decided if all the designers had to put themselves through this Q&A, then I would, too. The whole issue is dedicated to the creative people who make our work spin in a new direction every season. Hope you enjoy my contribution to the equation.
Name: Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou.
Age: 45.
Occupation: mother, wife, daughter, sister, best friend, publisher, editor-in-chief, creative director, designer, etc, etc.
Current employer: me, myself and I.
First job in fashion?
“Well, age 15, sales assistant in a shoe shop where we were on commission –this is where my shoe addiction stems from, I’m sure.”
What’s new?
“Research for Victoria’s Secret as the collections new design director, first fittings at Roland Mouret, cruise collection fittings for Antonio Berardi and sketches for Elie Saab’s new cruise collection launching this year and production fitting for the Pringle of Scotland 10-piece travel collection just designed, called of course, the perfect 10. Finishing the May issue of 10 magazine and commissioning the September re-launch issue. Organising the advertising campaign shoot for Elie Saab. Lots on really!”
How did you get started?
“Totally by accident – luck of the draw. Best thing that ever happened, though. I love what I do.”
What does it take to get to the top of the tree?
“Tenacity, determination, never saying never or taking no for an answer and not being afraid of heights or failure to have the ability and the thick skin to pick yourself up and start all over again if needs be.”
What inspires you?
“Everything, every day, good and bad.”
Can you multitask?
“Well, duh, doesn’t everyone? Mum, wife, five consultancies, publisher, editor-in-chief, etc, etc. Girls can definitely do more than one thing.”
What would you like on your epitaph?
“Don’t like to think about it really. It makes me sad to think of never being able to see my boys and the people I love ever again. I’d find a way, though, haunting from the other side, poor things. Never been easy for me to let go of stuff I love.”
Are you/were you a juvenile delinquent?
“God, no! Was such a goody two shoes – notice I am using the past tense.”
Have you ever thrown a diva strop?
“Well, it takes a lot for me to lose it, but when I do, it’s truly horrible, very, very horrible. The good thing is I do get over it very quickly.”
What do you think about the way most people dress?
“Vive la différence.”
Was there a particular point when you started to get ambitious?
“I don’t consider myself ambitious, but I must be, because I always try hard, by hook or by crook, to get to where I want to be, which is creatively challenged and free. Is that ambitious?”
Have you always been all about fashion?
“I am absolutely not about that at all! I have many, many, many loves, things that inspire me and rock my world. Fashion is a little corner of my universe.”
Are you a legend? Legendary?
“Hell, no! Maybe my mum thinks I am for giving her a grandson she adores, but that’s about the long and short of it.”
Dallas or Dynasty? Sue Ellen or Alexis?
“Well, Dallas and I always loved Pammy – so ridiculously perfect – irritating!”
Have you ever lied in an interview?
“Well, that depends on what qualifies as lying. Expanding on the truth and telling little white lies definitely, BUT only for the greater good.”
Do you have a mentor? A muse? Who/what are they?
“All the amazing, creative people in my world and my grandma Anna, who was my biggest life inspiration.”
Are you a believer in healthy competition?
“Hell, yeah! Keeps you on your toes.”
What did you have for dinner last night?
“Chicken kebab – home-made – with a coriander, tomato and cucumber salad, tzatziki, hummus and pickled chillies and lots of black olives from Paul’s dad’s olive groves in Cyprus. Well, what did you expect? I am Greek, after all – part of my heritage.”
How many licks does it take to get to the centre of it?
“Of what? A Creme Egg? Well, quite a few, like, to savour the experience, make it last as long as possible, prolongs the pleasure. I eat my Tunnock’s Teacakes the same way, too!”
Can you wrap your legs around your neck like Janice Dickinson?
“No, but I can get them pretty close – quite bendy, really.”
If you could be a superhero, which one would you be and why?
“Catwoman – always loved the idea of a latex onesy.”
What is good design?
“Things that you must have, own, wear, can’t be without in your world. A totally subjective experience.”
Do you remember your first dress? Show?
“Yes, the first fashion show I ever saw was the Versace show with the safety pins of Elizabeth Hurley fame. Thought it was amazing – was an assistant, didn’t have a ticket and totally blagged my way in, stood at the top of the stairs to the basement at The Ritz where the show was and saw Linda E, Cindy Crawford, Naomi, Kate Moss, Karen Mulder, Christy Turlington, Kristen McMenamy. It was amazing – hooked for evermore!”
What’s vulgar?
“Rudeness, arrogance, selfishness, ingratitude, plain and simple bad manners.”
How pretentious are you on a scale of 1-10?
“I don’t think I am, but I have always been a terrible judge of character!”
Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou
Editor-in-Chief
