Tavi Talks To PAPERMAG About Nesquik and Meeting Yohji Yamamoto
By Alyssa Vingan
This week, blogging sensation Tavi Gevinson should be coasting through her first days of high school -- cooped up in a classroom, doodling Hole lyrics in a notebook.
Instead, she'll be nestled in the front row of some of the season's most exclusive shows, likely among professionals who have been working in the industry for much longer than she's been alive.
Like most angsty teenagers, Tavi spends her free time surfing the web and watching cult classics like Daria and Freaks and Geeks, but that's where the similarities end. In the past year, s
he's modeled for Pop, styled for BlackBook, and received presents from her friends at Proenza Schouler and Rodarte on the regular. Before she makes her blogging debut for Barneys FNO event tomorrow night, read on to see what Fashion Week has in store for Gevinson. We warn you: her hectic schedule
makes high school look like a piece of cake.
Hardly at all -- I don't own a laptop, but if I did, I don't think I'd have much time. Any time at the hotel room is for sleeping.
How long are your days during fashion week?
Maybe 9 a.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. on average.
What do you anticipate your schedule to be like this coming season?
Just New York, though that's such a contradiction in terms. Maybe around three shows per day, though it's hard to say in the planning stages.
Are there any shows or events you're particularly excited for? Any people you're excited to see or meet?
Pop Magazine's party will be fun! I'm excited for Fashion's Night Out, too. Rodarte for sure, it's always my favorite. I'm excited to see my friends who live in NY.
Do you have any pre-Fashion Week rituals?
I always put together my outfits before packing, because doing them each morning at Fashion Week would make me super late. I try to be super organized and put together all the venue addresses, but that reference sheet always gets lost by the second day.
What's the first aspect of normal life to go out the window during Fashion Week?
Sleep, full meals, school, schoolwork, alone time, my usual anti-socialness.
How long on average does it take you to decide what you're going to wear to the shows?
Too long! I always underestimate the amount of time it'll take to pack my outfits and end up getting to bed early in the morning, mere hours before the flight.
Are there any special wardrobe pieces you're excited to debut during Fashion Week?
My naked ladies Miu Miu collar, a Risto Bimbiloski piece, and maybe a homemade hat.
If you could have one Fall 2010 item gifted to you to wear during Fashion Week, what would it be?
Ooooooh. This question is a bit torturous. Maybe that plastic Marc Jacobs coat? Or the crow heel he did? Is crow heel a term? Did I just make that up? As you can see, the possibility of owning something from Fall 2010 actually makes me crazy, especially since I vowed not to buy anything this season.
So far, who has been your favorite "seat mate" at a show?
Alexa Chung at Chanel's couture show. She was really funny and sweet, and sometimes when you make faces with someone for pictures they'll do a silly face but still make sure they look pretty. She didn't seem concerned though, and was being totally goofy and fun.
Name the most exciting Fashion Week moment in your career thus far.
This is tough. Maybe meeting Yohji Yamamoto? He was like this wise old guy people climb mountains to get advice from. I had pinned up the hem of my dress to make it crooked, and when I sat down next to him, he immediately tried to straighten it out, like a reflex.
Do you have a Fashion Week "survival kit"? Name a few things that we could find in your bag at any given time during the shows.
Phone, gum, notebook or pad, writing utencil, camera, and safety pins for outfit malfunctions.
Are there any special treats you use for a pick-me-up between shows?
WATER. I freak out when they have those little Fiji bottles at shows.
What's the thing you look forward to most once the Fashion Weeks are over?
Drinking Nesquik at my own house. But honestly, I'm usually just really sad when Fashion Week is over, even though I know it's for my own good that it ends at some point. I mean, imagine moving around like that and being in so many social situations and having to look good every day. Or did I just describe the lives of everyone in fashion?
Your Comment
Posted at 9:01 on Sep 09, 2010
I don't know much about Tavi Gevinson or how she got to be a blogging sensation. I am a 62 yr old "net-head", and there is so much about cyber-culture to learn, that I probably will not "get it" at all during my lifetime. I find the concept of being "blogging sensation" to be very fascinating. I don't think we are anywhere near the tip of the iceberg in terms of the net's influence on lifestyle and entertainment.
Ms. Gevinson is very fortunate to be able to immerse herself in a lifestyle most teens can only dream about! I can't help but draw comparisons to the dark ages of the '60's culture I grew up. It was an exciting time in it's way, but today's teens have the opportunity to really "dig" deeply into their intellectual/cultural interests on the web. It's wonderful that today's young people can easily explore periods of history, music and art to their heart's content. If they want to specialize, like Ms. Gevinson does in fashion, they can dive right in. I doubt though, if many will have opportunity to go to Fashion Week and be the darling of 7th Ave. Still, I hope many
kids will follow her lead and use the web as a gateway to increasing intellegence, and then applying their gifts to realistic goals.
I disagree with Michelle Obama on many issues, and censoring her children's time on the internet, encouraging other parents to follow, is not right. Instead, parents should be helping their kids focus on their intellectual strengths and interest; using the web as a learning tool. I am in favor of keeping kids out of the nasty dark place on the web. There are, however, many, many wonderful web sites re history art, literature, etc etc. It's great that Ms. Gevinson learned how to use the web to advance herself and her interests, more power to her!
Not all kids are athletic "jocks". For nonconforming young people who feel isolated, Ms. Gevinson's experience might give them courage to join other like-minded kids in 'real time'. It would be nice if communitys had more activities for "nerds" such as reading clubs, history clubs, music and drama groups that fused cyber space and real time. The potential for good, along with increased intellect is enormous.