You can check out his blog here: http://bon.se/blogs/tommie-x/
When you style for people, how do you keep their style present, and how do you mix it with yours?
I think it’s something that happens naturally. I work mostly with artists, that’s like a long term relationship. I almost never do editorials or ad work. So it’s always like a conversation or an ongoing quest. Most people contact me because they like my style.What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
The ad campaign for Rebecca & Fiona’s new album. We spent all the money towards the album to put up posters of crossed out swastikas instead of information or pictures of the new album. It’s nice to use your visibility as a popstar to promote a political message.What are you most proud of contributing to?
I’m of course really proud of every video I’ve done for Rebecca & Fiona.You’ve also directed some videos, and in videos like Holler, the clothing is really connected to the story, do you think that your stylistic eye gives you an advantage when it comes to directing?
I think so. I had no desire to be a video director. But working so close with Rebecca & Fiona we felt so unhappy with how the videos turned out. Because we would always try to have a say in the style and things like that. But that never happened because those directors had their own vision. But when we work now in our internal group, we make sure that everything we spend a lot of time on is visible in the video. But the most important thing is how they look in it because it’s meant to be a visual for the song. The nail technician used to sit by the coffee table, and not be allowed to have a say, but we listen to all opinions.What are similarities and differences between directing and styling?
Directing something is a lot more responsibly, because you have to keep so much in mind and have all these checklists. If you style something that’s the only thing you have to focus on. Direction is like, you have to work with the producer, you have to work with someone who edits.You wear many hats and you also design clothes, what was the inspiration behind your Faggot Apparel line?
I don't have any designer dreams either, but I felt I had to do something with those [civil rights] laws in Russia. We thought we should print one sweater and sell it, but it became something bigger. We are designing something for the summer, but we don’t want to do seasons. We want to do things when we want to do them.We always joke about hating fashion, but we both have fashion blogs. Do you think your job is more centered around style than fashion? What does style mean to you and what does fashion mean to you?
I don’t know any trends. I look at things that I’m interested in, like guys wearing skirts and crop tops. I don’t care about like, “Oh this color for spring.” In a way fashion is really inspiring, if you focus on the things in fashion that you are interested in.Do you think that styling should be organic? Do you feel external pressure when you’re styling, and do you ever feel forced?
Sometimes with Rebecca & Fiona it can feel forced, like when we do photo shoots with Adidas because sometimes we can only use that brand. Buffalos have become so much of their style that it’s hard to work without them. But I know that they would personally never wear an outfit that is the same brand from head to toe.Does your personal relationship with people effect how you style them?
For me it feels really important that the way they look, they’re happy with. If people don’t like what I suggest, I rethink. I always give up the minute I realize someone is uncomfortable. I think everything is pretty if you have the right mood and vibe.What is your favorite thing about your job?
I don’t know. I don’t like it a lot when I have a camera in my face, but I know that I feel happy when something that I do has a lot of success. It’s fun to be a part of something that you can stand behind 100%. Sometimes I work with artists who are way more commercial and that’s not as fun.
