A few months ago I posted a blog about David Zyla. He is the head costume designer for All My Children, and a personal friend of Daisy Mae PR. As I mentioned in the last blog, David just published an amazing new book, “The Color of Style”.
In honor of his new book and because I know what a damn good stylist he truly is, I interviewed him about fashion, life, and how to do it right! Below is the interview! Enjoy!
How did you get involved in the fashion industry:
I studied costume design at New York University, and then took additional classes in fashion and color. In addition to designing for theatre and commercials, I designed windows on Madison Avenue. One of the boutiques I designed windows for referred me to a client who needed a gown designed and made. She was very happy with the result, the boutique owner then said that if I produced a line that they would carry it. I did exactly that, and also walked the line into a Henri Bendel open-see. They also bought it. I ran my own eveningwear label for six years, showed at Bryant Park, was a number one seller at Bergdorf Goodman, designed for First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton, etc… The one thing that I realized I was missing though as a fashion designer was the satisfaction of knowing that each person was maximizing their ultimate potential in their look. That is when I began breaking down my theory into The Color of Style (February 4, 2010 Dutton).
Tell us about your book:
The book explains that everyone has five True Colors (Essence, Romantic, Dramatic, Energy, Tranquil) and three Base Colors (neutral tones) that make you shine inside and out. In THE COLOR OF STYLE, you Find the Colors that Attract Love, Enhance Your Power, Restore Your Energy, Make a Lasting Impression, and Show the World Who You Really Are. This book reveals that the secret to finding these colors lies in the palm of your hand (and in the flush of your skin and kaleidoscope shades of your eyes and hair).
Identifying your unique color palette enables you to determine your true style season. Just as not all greens are alike, not all springs are alike so within each of the four seasons the book presents six Archetypes that reflect your looks and personality, along with celebrity examples for each—from Anne Hathaway (a Classic Winter) and Cameron Diaz (a Buoyant Spring), to Cate Blanchett (a Renaissance Summer) and Sarah Jessica Parker (a Gamine Autumn).
For example:
THE AWARD SEASON RED CARPET: The colors Meryl Streep, Sophia Loren, Julianne Moore, Penélope Cruz, Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tina Fey, Julianna Margulies, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, should wear and avoid.
CHANNELING YOUR ROMANTIC RED ON VALENTINE’S DAY: Buy lingerie, wine glasses, flowers, candles, and gift wrap in your version of red.
MAKING AN IMPRESSION: Wear a First Base suit with a Dramatic scarf on a job interview, and pair a Romantic dress with an Energy jacket for a first date.
DE-STRESSING AND RE-CHARGING THIS WINTER: Buy a robe and lampshade in your Essence color; a scarf and rain boots in your Dramatic color; a cell phone and umbrella in your Energy color; and a yoga mat and toiletries in your Tranquil color.
TRUE COLORS FOR EVERY OCCASION: Wear your Essence color on your wedding day; your Romantic color on a hot date; your Dramatic color to an important meeting; your Energy color on a plane; and your Tranquil color to meditate.
ARCHETYPE “MUST-HAVES” AND “MUST-AVOIDS”: Early Springs should avoid denim; Classic Summers should embrace cashmere and silk; Mellow Autumns should wear the scent of musk; and Dynamic Winters should enjoy white calla lilies.
What inspired you to write it:
When I was working as a young costume designer, the directors I was collaborating with would often comment how great an actor looked onstage and would ask why I chose certain colors. My answer was “because they were the right choices”….I instinctively knew what worked on each person, but was not able to verbalize why. At a certain point in my career I decided that it was time to figure out my theory. I did, and I am now sharing it with my readers.
What is the most important point that you want the reader to learn from the book:
I believe that every woman has the right to look and feel fantastic. I dedicate my
book to them!
Where can I buy it?
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Indiebound, etc…
Will you be doing any speaking events? Book signings? If so, where?
Yes, several in fact ! The evening of Monday, March 1st the National Arts Club in New York City is hosting a book launch for The Color of Style from 7 to 9pm. I also will be travelling to various Saks Fifth Avenue stores beginning February 4th. Current cities include New York, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Tysons Corner, Portland, Chicago, Chevy Chase, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Orange County, Houston and Dallas. I will also have book launch events with DKNY on February 25th in New York and on March 6th in Los Angeles.
More information can be found at www.davidzyla.com