Growing up in a small town in Chicago didn't stop him from exploring the world of Fashion and living his life to the fullest.
Kyle Anderson happens to be The Senior Accessories Editor At Elle Magazine .What is most inspiring about Kyle is his ability to stay humble, regardless of the scale of his success as an Accessories Editor and that’s something I find truly remarkable and refreshing.
I hope you enjoy reading this up-close and personal interview with Kyle Anderson , as much as I enjoyed conducting it.
UD: I know it is hard to put into words. But how would you describe your style?
KA: I love anything with military and rock n’ roll inspiration. I really like where there is a mix of high and low. Maybe used military pants with a prada sweater. Or a new Burberry Prorsum leather jacket with vintage ripped jeans. "When there is something dirty there should be something clean". I don’t like to wear one major designer piece with another major designer piece. If its a Prada runway sweater it should be with no brand pant and vice versa. Almost always my shirt is a big designer and my pant is from like zara or AllSaints or vintage.
UD: Did you always want to be an Accessories Editor or is it something that you’ve discovered as you were trying other careers?
UD: Did you always want to be an Accessories Editor or is it something that you’ve discovered as you were trying other careers?
KA: When I was growing up I always thought I wanted to be a fashion designer and live in NYC. I always dreamed of that. But after I moved to NYC I took a class at FIT and realized designing RTW isnt at all what im interested in. I also at the same time started interning at Esquire magazine. I knew right away that at that point the only thing I would ever want to be is an editor. I later interned at every type of magazine. From Esquire to COSMOgirl, Marie Clarie, Vogue and ELLE. I also did freelance work assisting stylists on photoshoots and later did freelance assistant work at Vanity Fair and COSMOPOLITAN and then ELLE. I was supposed to freelance at ELLE for 90 days but quickly I got hired and it was really for me a lifelong dream come true.
I'm interested in everything having to do with magazines. Editing, styling, layouts, beauty, fashion, accessories. I'm a Senior Accessories Editor now and ive been working at ELLE for 6 years. But my dream is to be a Creative Director. I want to be put my mark on some magazine and make it sort of my own. My style my dream my vision.
UD: Women everywhere think of your job as glamorous, inspirational and filled with designer freebies, cool parties and exotic overseas travel destinations. Is it?
UD: Women everywhere think of your job as glamorous, inspirational and filled with designer freebies, cool parties and exotic overseas travel destinations. Is it?
KA: Haha, Well in some aspects yes absolutely. We get the opportunity to do all of those things. Since I started working at ELLE ive gone on tripes to Spain, Russia, Milan, England, Germany, France and Sweden. I attend fashion week in Milan, NY, Stockholm and Berlin every season. Yes we do receive a lot of gifts. But the things we receive and the things that people think we receive is probably quite different. If you think about it im sure if you work in a different type of industry u would receive a small holiday gift from the other companies your work at. It just happens that we work with designers.
For parties yes. Living in NYC and working in fashion you have the opportunity to attend every type of party imaginable. Sometimes we are too busy to attend but Ive met a lot of great people and since this job isnt really a 9-5 job its more like a 24-7-365 it has become that my best friends are bloggers, editors, stylists, models and photographers. So when I go to the fashion parties they are all my friends there.
For my work, I like to say its 75 percent physical and emotionally stressful work. Its really really really hard work and everything we do needs to be done as quickly as humanly possible. Sometimes I think normal people could Not work under this pressure and short deadlines. I always say you have to be a little crazy to be able to work in this industry and be successful and at least survive. But with the hard work and stress and pressure there are amazing opportunities to meet and spend time with every designer in the world. Ive met almost every major designer from Tom Ford to Riccardo Tisci to Alber Elbaz and Michael Kors. Just to name a few. For me they are like meeting rock stars. They are absolute geniuses.
UD: Is there a fashion Icon whose style you love to watch? Who and why?
UD: Is there a fashion Icon whose style you love to watch? Who and why?
KA: These days I think no. I am more influenced by past icons. I am very inspired these days by Madonna's music videos from the 80s. There is so much great fashion there. And I can see their influence on a lot of designers especially Dolce and Gabbana. I love her and I love dolce. Im also influenced by other musicians since I love rock n’ rool style. I love Blondie, and other 80s rockers. A lot of inspiration comes from characters in movies. I love Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, Rita Hayworth in Gilda, Vivien Leigh in Gone with the wind, Sharon stone in Casino, and many many more. Even if its not my style and im not inspired to recreate their style I love the way that they are confident and love fashion. Clearly Scarlett ohara loves fashion, Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde's style is effortless but clearly she has some major fashion going on in her own way. Or look at Mia Farrow as Daisy buchannan in The Great Gatsby. Shes is amazing. Its just her lounging around the house but shes so put together, effortless, shes her own person, I love how she loves fashion.
UD: Name a very well dressed celebrity that always gets it right.
UD: Name a very well dressed celebrity that always gets it right.
KA: I havae to think about this. I think Aleksander Skarsgard is very cute and always looks great. Sometimes he wears cheap Henleys like American Apparel and sometimes with something great like a Gucci leather jacket. For girls? Hmm..its really tough. I literally just turned to the jewelry editor who sits next to me and she said she had no one really that is great these days. I think for now we are searching it used to be Mary-kate olsen like 4 years ago. She was MAJOR. The new It bag the crazy furs, the Balenciaga runway boots, the fine jewelry chunky vintage rings the big vintage sunglasses. She was a woman obsessed with fashion. These days I don’t know. Everyone seems to be slacking a bit.
UD: You have had a successful career As an Accessories Editor, What inspired you to get involved in this business?
UD: You have had a successful career As an Accessories Editor, What inspired you to get involved in this business?
KA: Growing up, my best friends mom was obsessed with clothing and shopping. I think she had a big influence on me loving clothes as much as I do. She put a real importance on buying the right clothes or shoes or bag.
Another big influence that I have had since working in the industry is our former fashion director, Nina Garcia. Ive never seen someone besides myself get as excited as she gets over a pair of jeans, or a Prada bag or a Gucci boot. When we would have run-throughs for our stories in the magazine or our shopping guide she would know exactly what she liked. We have a very similar style. We always like the same things. I really enjoyed working with her and she has influenced me a lot and taught me everything I know.
UD: Which fashion shows excite you the most?
KA:I love Alexander wang and marc jacobs in NY. In Milan I love to see Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. I love the brand of Balmain although with the new designer im not sure what it will be like. I love louis vuitton as well. I think marc jacobs puts on a great show.
UD: Were there any trends/pieces that particularly stood out for you this season?
UD: Were there any trends/pieces that particularly stood out for you this season?
KA:I love the white fur coat in the Ferragamo runway. I love the silver choker in the michael kors runway. I love the isabel marant fringe boots, I love the alexander wang black fur and leather biker coat, I love the turqoise blue fur scarf in the gucci runway, I love ANYTHING TOM FORD. His FW collection lookbook is MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR. Every look every accessory even the hair and makeup is perfection. I love his statemetn jewelry, fur and croc bags, thigh high laser cut suede boots, fur coats. Love him. So sexy and luxe.
UD: What is one piece that every man should have in his wardrobe?
UD: What is one piece that every man should have in his wardrobe?
KA: An expensive watch. Even if u are going swimming or going to the gym u should have a masculine classic watch like a Rolex.
UD: Should men Accessories more?
KA: For me I think no. it doesn’t hurt however to have a nice wallet, nice shoes, a nice watch. But im not a big fan of men wearing jewelry unless is one simple piece. One ring, or one neckalce or one bracelet. I only wear my rolex. I don’t look good wearing jewelry. But I do however, invest in very expensive wallet, bag, watch, shoes, just not jewelry so much.
UD: For the guys out there who are looking to upgrade their look, can you give them a tip on how to enhance their style?
KA: Definitely invest in a good watch. Even if you wear american apparel clothes and sweatpants at least please have a nice watch and a nice wallet. These are things u carry with u 365 days a year. Invest in nice ones they are always with you.
For watches, I love my Rolex, I never take it off. I also like Cartier or Bulgari watches.
For wallets Louis Vuitton wallets honestly last forever. I had one for 5 years and it looked brand new. Crazy. And I carry it everywhere.I also have a prada wallet. It lasts a few years and its very comfortable to use.
UD: What is your favorite eyewear line?
KA: My favorite is Tom ford. They look so sexy. Everyone loves them all of our stylists, etc. but I also love Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Dior Homme.
UD: Are there any new lines/collections that you are really taking a liking to?
UD: What is your favorite eyewear line?
KA: My favorite is Tom ford. They look so sexy. Everyone loves them all of our stylists, etc. but I also love Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Dior Homme.
UD: Are there any new lines/collections that you are really taking a liking to?
KA: I am always a big fan of Alexander wang although im not really sure if he is “new” also tom fords womens RTW line was launchd last year. We are obsessed with him her at elle. Although, again hes not “new”
UD: Let's cause some controversy...NY or LA?
UD: Let's cause some controversy...NY or LA?
KA: NY for sure. I can only live in NY. It has EVERYTHING. I love many other cities around the world, including LA, but NYC is the only city that I don’t get bored in after two days. I love LA I love the weather the beach I love MAXFIELD LA so much but I get bored after 2-3 days of lounging around and miss going to Barneys NY in NY and walking around soho.
UD: What do you like most about Elle Magazine?
UD: What do you like most about Elle Magazine?
KA: The freedom. We don’t have rules that we are required to shoot certain price limits or just advertisers like a lot of other magazines. Our editor in chief always wants us to just put the absolute coolest and best things we can find. We don’t have limits. Things can be $1 or $100,000 next to each other on the same page. I think that’s the way girls dress. On their wishlists can be a Piaget diamond watch but also they might be dying for a zara skirt and some vintage biker boots. People like what they like.
UD: If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?
KA: A classic bag either black birkin or black quilted chanel 2.55
UD: If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?
KA: A classic bag either black birkin or black quilted chanel 2.55
A great expensive watch. They last forever. Bulgari, cartier or rolex.
A great pair of pumps. Manolo, louboutin, jimmy choo, sergio rossi or giuseppe zanotti. Black and classic. Our styilsts love the high heel manolo classic black suede pointy toe pump.
UD: What can we expect next from Kyle Anderson?
A great pair of pumps. Manolo, louboutin, jimmy choo, sergio rossi or giuseppe zanotti. Black and classic. Our styilsts love the high heel manolo classic black suede pointy toe pump.
UD: What can we expect next from Kyle Anderson?
KA: I'm launching a website to show people more of my life. Now im getting around 75-100 emails a day from people on facebook asking me about how I got started in fashion, what I like, what I want to buy next, that they saw my work in elle, that they saw my photo in a pic at a party. Id like to have one central website were people can learn about me, how I got started about my life with my friends and my life as an Editor.
UD: who are your favorite photographers ?
KA: I think Mariano Vivanco and Damon baker both photographers from the agency of Jed Root in NYC are amazing and they are the next biggest iconic photographers in the world.
Another favorite is Steven Klein. I love the Givenchy story he just shot for Interview. Its beyond amazing.
UD: Who are you favorite models?
UD: Who are you favorite models?
KA: My favorite model is Andrej Pejic. He is a close friend and I think he is the first model in years that has become really more than a model. He is only been in this industry for one year and has tens of thousands of fans and has literally hundreds of fan pages devoted to him. He is very sweet and very normal but I think the industry hasn’t seen such a face as this maybe since the 80s supermodels. He is already an icon. I also like River Viiperi, Nils Butler, Sam Webb, Alexander Johansson and Paolo Anchisi.
UD: Finally, Your Birthday is In Few Weeks; 19 July, What is Kyle Anderson Wish List?
KA: Im lucky enough to say I don’t want anything. People keep asking me what I want. I never though growing up I would say I don’t want anything. But I have everything I could ever want really. Maybe my website will be my new baby.
Kyle Anderson favorite Accessories From FW 11:
2. Im always a fan of these little knuckle duster clutches that Alexander Mcqueen does every season. This season my favorite version is this corset laced up design with a variety of littl rings on the top including a wedding band. So cute and so tough. Why does a clutch have to be sparkly and girlie? Love this.
3. I love the black wolverine print on all of the Givenchy runway RTW and accessories this season. Im a big fan of this print and this cool patent bag.
4. Pamela love cuff My apartment is decorated witht all different kinds of crystal b oxes and bowls. I love this. Id love it if it were framed or if pam made a sculpture for me like this for my apartment. Its gorgeous and she is a genius!
5. Louis Vuitton oversized clutch with handcuff chain.Take this guy to any party and you will be the star of the room. Anything with a handcuff first of all, gets my attention. Sexy and luxe.
6. Gucci teal colored fur scarf. I fell in love with this in milan at the gucci showroom. I remember freaking out and having to try it on. Its so soft and the color is so beautiful. Its actually pretty big in person. It my favorite color.
7. Dolce & Gabbana sequin bag: This season is all about sequin. This dolce and gabbana sequin covered miss sicily bag would be so much fun to take out with your friends to dinner, parties and clubs. You would definitely be feeling fabulous.
8. Versace python boot in black: Imagine running around town in these. They are the perfect thing to wear in fall / winter with black tights and a little black dress. They would transition from day to evening because of the shiny python makes them a great option for evening dinners, work, clubs, date nights, sexy but rich.
9. Alexander wang fur shoes. These shoes are so much fun in person. I actually tried them on at the office. The fur ball is sort of HUGE and they are really a sort o f ‘shoe fantasy’
10. Salvatore ferragamo clutch: there was a big trend in menswear dressing for ladies this fW. This clutch which looks like its made out of some menswear suiting fabric is actually painted python. Its gorgeous in person and very luxe. I thin it woul dbe a cute with a mens inspired blazer or even a cute little black dress.