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How to Make It in Fashion: June 21, Dream Hotel Downtown, New York

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Thursday October 14th, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Become a Hair Stylist For Fashion Shows?
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Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Become a Hair Stylist For Fashion Shows?

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Dear Chris,

I so badly want to work as a celeb hair stylist and style hair for fashion shows. I am a recent Paul Mitchell Grad who worked very hard to be where i am at today. I’m 25 and a single mother of one, but I refused to let anyone or anything tear me down. I was determined to finish school no matter what cause i knew if i was able to finish cosmetology school, endless opportunities would come. I understand that I don’t know it all and I’m hungry for more knowledge every day. I would love it if you could help me out and share with me some tips to reach my goals!

Thank you,
Lawanika

Dear Lawanika,

You sound like you have the best sort of dedication a person can have. The best you can do in this life is work very hard, be nice, and learn something new everyday.

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Published at 2:44 PM

Tuesday September 21st, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: Paris, Milan, or London?
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Ask Chris Benz: Paris, Milan, or London?

Dear Chris,

I’m a recent Parsons graduate with an EU passport. I really want to move to Paris or Milan or London to start off my career. I’ve had a couple of successful internships, so I’m not too worried about getting my foot in the door. I’m more worried about choosing the right city. Where are your favorite places in Europe?

Dear Parsons Graduate,

What an exciting dilemma! I love pitting European cities against each other. There are so many specific and inspiring things about each European capital.

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Published at 3:00 PM

Friday September 10th, 2010

Wednesday September 1st, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: What Do You Really Think About Black and White?
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Ask Chris Benz: What Do You Really Think About Black and White?

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Chris,

Your girls are so colorful. Will you ever do a black and white only collection?

Dear Rainbowphobe,

True story, I do love color. Still, every once in awhile I start out with the idea of doing a collection only in black and white (like Pleasantville, I suppose). But of course color always seems to creep in, and ultimately enriches the direction and palette of the entire collection. With that said, recently we have been doing a lot more black and white than seasons past, which feels very modern to me. There’s something very good about cleansing the palette with a pure black look or a good, stark white.

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Published at 5:00 PM

Tuesday August 17th, 2010

Ask Chris: Do I Need a Degree in Fashion to Work in Fashion?
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Ask Chris: Do I Need a Degree in Fashion to Work in Fashion?

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Dear Chris Benz,
I am sure that every one in New York wants to be a stylist, designer, and everything else that revolves around fashion, and I know that the competition is steep in NY as for many other places. But I believe in my self enough to leave my hometown of Houston, TX, and move to New York in order to further myself in the fashion industry. My question for you Chris is if I want to be a stylist, designer, or even just have a paid position at a top fashion firm, do you believe that a degree is necessary? Or rather hard work and dedication? And if a degree is necessary my top interest for schooling is FIT, what degree would be best for some one who just wants to style beautiful people and further them selves in the fashion industry? I really must say RIP to my life in Houston TX, and birth a new life in NY, your words of advice will be greatly appreciated!
Love,
FashionsMuse

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Published at 6:23 PM

Tuesday August 10th, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: How Do You Keep From Getting in a Rut?
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Ask Chris Benz: How Do You Keep From Getting in a Rut?

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Dear Mr. Benz,
How to do you keep from getting into a rut? Sometimes I feel like I’m running out of inspiration.
Yours, Needs a Recharge

Dear Needs-A-Recharge -

Inspiration is a tricky one, for sure.

On one hand, it is easy to be inspired by something specific much longer than one season, which unfortunately doesn’t work so well with the Fashion calendar. Obviously, there are things that should be continually inspiring … For me, it’s Katherine Hepburn, Lauren Hutton, Shelley Duvall–always a casual, glamorous, colorful character. On the other hand, a deadline may be approaching whereas you have to be inspired.

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Published at 11:00 AM

Tuesday August 3rd, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: Help! I’m 13, Living in Fla., and Want to Be a Fashion Designer
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Ask Chris Benz: Help! I’m 13, Living in Fla., and Want to Be a Fashion Designer

Dear Chris Benz,

I will be a freshman in high school next year and am interested in a career as a fashion designer. Because I live in a small town in Florida, there really aren’t a lot of opportunities to intern or find a job that would prepare me for the fashion industry. The closest mall is in the town south of mine and has less than 30 apparel stores, many of which are closing or on the verge of closing. Boutiques and other such stores are virtually non-existent and/or cater to Florida’s prominent senior citizen community. Without any real opportunities to explore a career in fashion design, it seems like the only thing I can do is to teach myself to sew, which I am currently doing. Also, I stay up-to-date with industry news and (try) to look at Style.com‘s runway slideshows as much as possible.

As a successful fashion designer with your own label, what do you recommend I do if I want to be a fashion designer?

Thank-you,
Alissa

Dear Fashion-Minded Floridian -

Where you grow up, your surroundings, and all of your experiences will inform your designs for the rest of your life!

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Published at 1:30 PM

Tuesday July 27th, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: Can You Give Guys Some Style Advice?
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Ask Chris Benz: Can You Give Guys Some Style Advice?

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Dear Chris,

Right now, you only design for women. I’m a guy, but I love your aesthetic. How do you dress? Who are your favorite designers? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thank you

Dear Guy -

Thanks for the compliment!

I am usually exhausted by the time I have to think about my own clothes, so I tend to dress simply/haphazard. My go-to is a navy blue blazer, because it’s completely classic and looks perfect with everything. I think men should really restrict themselves to wearing a white shirt, navy blazer, and Levis 501s with a Converse Chuck Taylor, and call it a day. That is–until there is CB menswear, and then they should wear mustard pleat-front shorts, chiffon tuxedo shirts, sequined blazers, and loads of friendship bracelets, natch!

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Published at 2:00 PM

Tuesday July 13th, 2010

Ask Chris: How Do I Work and Live?
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Ask Chris: How Do I Work and Live?

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Dear Chris,

I follow you on Twitter and you’re always out and about. How do you balance being fabulous with being a hard worker?

Dear Follower -

One of the skills that I learned in my early years of moving to NYC (now, over ten years ago!) was that the 24 hours in the day must be compartmentalized. Moving to NYC at 17 proved a steep learning curve to this end. We would go to class at Parsons from 9-3pm, take naps, work on our projects in the dorms while also making crazy club-kid costumes, and then go out until 4 or 5 in the morning. Rinse, and repeat!

I’m not sure how we survived it, but we pulled through. It’s something that was every bit as important to me as school, being a part of that collective consciousness. Listen, I haven’t seen 4am in quite a few years, but what I can tell you is that a lot of ideas come from hours of conversation and laughter outside the studio.

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Published at 5:00 PM

Wednesday July 7th, 2010

Ask Chris: What Should I Wear to My Next Formal?
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Ask Chris: What Should I Wear to My Next Formal?

Dear Chris,

Recently it was junior prom at my high school. I had some difficulty trying to find a prom dress as there is no definite guide as to what is an appropriate prom dress or what a fabulous prom dress should be. I was wondering if you had any ideas or examples as to what is prom chic and what isn’t.

Dear Prom Queen,

As far as high school dances are concerned, I would err on the side of something classic, with a nice silhouette, and you can load up with costume jewelry, hair, makeup, and a fake eyelash goes a long way for easy glamor. See if you can find images of Kate Moss at her 30th birthday party – its the epitome of effortless party style in a little black dress, heavy false eyelashes, and like a tophat or something.

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Published at 5:30 PM

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

Ask Chris: What Makes a Good Stylist?
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Ask Chris: What Makes a Good Stylist?

Mr. Benz,

How are you doing? As an aspiring stylist in the fashion industry, my question for you is, how do I go about developing a well rounded portfolio and besides local work on my own, how do I go about finding a stylist experienced enough to intern for? Seeing that you are a fashion designer, I’m pretty sure you have worked with everyone from a make-up artist to a stylist. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon.

Dear Aspiring Stylist,

If you haven’t figured it out yet, presentation is everything. And I do mean that – don’t get lost in the minutia of “portfolios” and “books.” I actually can’t remember the last time I reviewed a portfolio. Curate your life and your persona, commit to your direction, and become completely dedicated to that vision. Chances are, as an aspiring stylist, you have very unique opinions about the manner in which things should look. Focus on that and anything that speaks to that direction should get assembled into a portfolio. It’s as interesting to see the process of inspiration as the end result.

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Published at 12:00 PM

Tuesday June 22nd, 2010

Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Get Hired at a Top Fashion House?
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Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Get Hired at a Top Fashion House?

Dear Chris,

First of all I have to tell you I LOVE your designs. Probably every email you get starts off with that, and to each it is true. I have your collections all over my inspiration board.

So now for the advice seeking part…. I graduated in 2007 (with a degree in fashion design) when there were hardly any jobs, and mass layoffs everywhere. I luckily worked steadily since then, doing lingerie, evening wear, costume, and now private label sportswear. I have really taken everything I have been able to get, as jobs have been pretty scarce to come by. I can’t even think about the amount of times I worked for free, not including interning during school.

Now I am at the point where I am still kind of young, but I have been getting seriously down about my job. I am a super, super, creative person and I feel like it’s Groundhog Day and I am being slapped in the face with big shirt after big shirt from QVC. It is like a nightmare.

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Published at 1:40 PM