By Rachel Sokol
Live From the Red Carpet
Style Expert George Kotsiopoulos of E!’s Fashion Police dishes about Hollywood icons,
style confidence, and what co-host Joan Rivers is really like.
What were you like as a teenager/kid growing up? Were
you a trendsetter back then?
I grew up in Skokie, Il that borders chicago but is still not a
fashion mecca. We wore levi’s and rock concert tees. I also knew
I was gay and I saw how the kids who were different were being
tormented, so I decided to blend. It was NoT cool to wear designer
jeans, but I got around that by wearing Ralph lauren Polo and then
I was the first to wear Girbaud jeans in high school. (Girbaud was
way cooler for guys than Guess) Mind you, this was the 80’s and
I just wanted to dress like Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles.
eventually fashion was more accepted and I was voted “Best
Dressed” by my senior class!
Where did this interest in fashion initially grow from?
Is your family creative?
I was always interested in arts but my parents were Greek
immigrants and to them it was important to be a doctor, lawyer or
businessman. But I got my fashion fix from old movies and looking
at archival issues of Vogue at the public library. I also used to
secretly go shopping with my older sister because she trusted my
opinion. But for the most part I pushed art and fashion aside and
went to the University of Illinois and got my bachelor’s degree in
accountancy. I graduated but never took the cPa exam because I
was bored to death. Immediately after college I skipped town and
moved to los angeles.
Who are your favorite ‘old Hollywood’ icons and why?
I have so many favorite icons. Marilyn Monroe, Sophia loren, ava
Grander, Jean harlow, Brigitte Bardot, elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day,
Goldie hawn in the 60s & 70s, Jayne Mansfield was incredibly
underrated, the original charlie’s angels (and cheryl ladd, too!),
Shirley Maclaine in Irma la Deuce and What a Way to Go, Stevie
Nicks, Joan Jett, Blondie, Diana Ross and Donna Summer. Seriously,
I could go on and on and on with this. Fashion always references
the past, so it’s important to be knowledgeable about icons from
every era and medium. Mick Jagger, Steve McQueen, James Dean,
Marlon Brando and, of course, cary Grant.
Why do you personally think society is so fascinated by
what celebrities wear and how they dress? Do you think
it’s for an escape or because the everyday woman just
desires such an amazing wardrobe?
28 a DISTINcTIve STyle . coM
People are obsessed with what celebrities wear because it’s a form
of escape. But the fashion business has changed tremendously in
the last 10 years. The everywoman is more knowledgeable than
ever about designers and trends. With the advent of “fast
fashion” runway looks are readily available at dirt-cheap prices to
everyone at places like h&M, Zara and Forever 21.
How do styles differ from each other in NY, Milan, Paris
and Los Angeles?
Fashion comes from Paris first, then Milan and Ny. Trendy “trends”
come from la.
What is the number one thing women do wrong when
they put an outfit together?
Not wearing the right undergarments! you may need a bra to
lift you up or Spanx to suck you in and smooth you out. This has
nothing to do with size or weight. No matter how great your clothes
are, if your foundations are wrong then you will look terrible.
Have you ever thought about launching a clothing or
accessory line?
absolutely, yes! I will just leave it at that.
The red carpet is fun but overwhelming! What do you
do to unwind and stay calm during, before and after an
awards show?
I pretty much always work out and eat healthy so I just stick with
my routine. But I skip the martini before the shows.
It’s 2011! What new fall trends are coming down the
horizon, and what trends are going bye-bye?
honestly, trends are changing faster than ever right now so I say
wear whatever looks good on you! Women have too many
options right now, which are both a curse and a blessing. Take pant
width for example. Right now skinnies, wide-leg, flares, boot-
cut and straight leg are all fashionable, which I think is great. Not
all women look good in any one of these looks so they should
have options!
What is your favorite article of clothing, and why?
My IWc watch because the most luxurious thing to do is wear your
best pieces in everyday life.