Name: Janielle Mckoy
Origin: Toronto
Stylist for Huey Video “I’m On”
1.What do u think about fashion and now and the state its in?
The overall state of fashion is ever changing. At times it gets hard for anyone, fashion conscious or not, to keep up with the trends. If you think about it, everything is circulated around fashion. From Music, Television, Home and Décor even food! At the end of the day it’s all about image and selling that image. In conclusion “FASHION WILL NEVER DIE!”
2. When does fashion become too much & what is too much?
LOL…This is a question that people need to think about? As my design and color teacher used to say “Less is More!” Just because you have a collection of LV’s & Gucci, does not mean that you have to be decked out with the line from your head top all the way down too your shoe laces. Or when you mix LV and Gucci together. That is a fashion “faux pas”. Over accessorizing can definitely be another fashion “No No. If a chic has on big gody earrings, there should not be anything on her neck but on her hand like a men’s watch (which is totally in this year) or ring. If there is a necklace, it should be very simple. It’s all about where you want your focus to be & proportioning your look from head to toe.
3. Who have you worked with?
I am originally from Toronto Canada so much of whom and what I have worked on is over there. I have worked with Canadian artists such as Ayah Yousef & Andreena Mill. I have done spreads for Canadian Magazine publications such as Urbanology Magazine’s Summer/ Fall 08 issue and Cream Magazine Fall/Winter 08 issue. I have assisted with Video’s such as Trey Song’s “Wonder Woman” and assisted in styling video director Lil X. In March I styled a spring campaign for a Canadian Shoe Company called “Town Shoes” which was distributed across Canada.
I decided to come to New York to further my career as a stylist. I wanted to know how it felt to really struggle for what you want and in the end you will be more appreciative when success comes to you. So right now I am interning at BET on 106 & Park assisting the stylist for host Rocsi. I have been here since June and it has been an amazing experience. I have managed to network my way into the industry. That is how I was able to style Mr. “Pop Lock & Drop It” himself “Huey” for his video “I’m On” and I recently styled singer/song writer Cocoa Sarai for BET/Hot97 “Blaze the Stage” event in NYC. Overall I feel blessed.
4.How much work is it being an Intern?
Interning in Toronto is nothing like interning in the Big Apple. It takes a lot of patience; energy, drive and you have to have a tough skin..lol. You can be doing one task & decide to take a 10 seconds breather. Before you know it, you are called to do something else.. From running errands on a rainy day in Soho, jumping in cabs, catching trains and New York City trains can get very confusing…Its all in the “Living your Life as an Intern in New York” manual. At the end of the day if you do your job and show that you are really serious about taking that step forward you will be successful. Another thing I strongly recommend is to do other projects outside of your internship. Let the staff know that you have other things lined up and talk to them about advice they may have to give u. It shows that you are serious and you don’t just have one avenue to turn to.
5. Is styling something that you want to do for a long time?
I am styling & styling is me, so I definitely see longevity in it. Being in New York and surrounded by people who I admire, people who have been in the game for years, like my Fashion Director at BET, Texanna Watts & having the chance to meet stylist June Ambrose. I have no doubt in my mind that I can be like them and gain the same credibility.
6. In the future I want to start an Image consulting agency, which consist of wardrobe/hair stylists, make-up artists & photographers. I also have people who do product placements for commercials, TV shows & music videos. I also want to have a Show Room, which consists of underground lines, from apparel, jewelry and kicks. I feel many of these lines are dope and they do not get the credit they deserve because the market could be too saturated with the same look they possess or there ends up being no market for the line.
A line that I really been keeping an eye on is Rep JA http://www.repja.com/. RepJA is the official Dancehall/Caribbean Clothing line, which consist of T-shirts, sweaters and hoodies that are coined with popular dancehall sayings. I have a West Indian background so I am down for anything that reps for JA. Another dope line I admire and I just recently used is Sabit http://www.sabitnyc.com/. A Japanese street wear brand which meets Americana Couture, & LaVie, which is a lifestyle brand that has urban influences coincided with a sophisticated approach.
7.Is fashion inspired or just done by anyone?
Fashion is Universal. It is an Inspiration. It’s an expression. It’s a feeling. My style may not be your style…but in the end it’s a style. However just because you have style does not mean you can be a stylist. There is history in fashion, you have to know patterns, colors, proportions, and body types, skin colors, height, I could go on. Having style and being a stylist are two separate entities, which should be expressed over and over again!
8. What cool and not cool to you.
Cool Vintage
Not cool: Retro
Cool: Fitted Apparel on dudes (not too tight)
Not Cool: Over sized pants with the with the Over sized White T
Cool: Leopard Leggings
Not Cool: Liquid leggings (clearly out dated)
Cool: Iced out G Shock Watch
Cool: The Taka Hayashi X Vans No Quarter LX Collaborations (look it up!), “Kanye West for Louis Vuitton Jasper’s” & “Kanye West for Louis Vuitton - Don’s “
Need I say more!
9. Favorite places to shop?
1. Any vintage shop or Thrift store: I managed to get many accessories and coats their. However I am very particular of what I pick up cause some items I am skeptical about for hygienic reasons lol.
2. Urban Outfitters: Great for trendy pieces and accessories. When it comes to style they are a step ahead
3. Top Shop: My new found love!
4. MUJI: I love how they literally have everything in one store
5. Uniqlo: Their apparel is basic. The t-shirts have great graphics and the quality is nuts!
6. Levis: Love a pair of Levis Jeans
7. H&M: Also great for trendy pieces
10.What kind of music inspires you?
Absolutely love Alternative rock and ol’ school R&B. The new school is slowly getting better but ol’ school has me! I am all the way a Cold play fan and ultimate Jay Z fan. In my mind they can do no wrong. I love the base in music, the lyrics just the overall production and the process it takes to make that one hit. Music is definitely a way into the soul and it inspires me every day.
11. Where do u see fashion years from now
Futuristic, Evolving & Ever lasting! People will always need clothes ;)!
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JaniElle Mckoy"Its Been Done" Stylists
Wardrobe Stylist/Image Consultant
janielle@itsbeendonestylists
myspace.com/itsbeendonestylists
