P&C Questionnaire: Wendy Brandes
Monday, October 11, 2010 at 9:10AM The P&C Questionnaire has been alive and kicking for a few months now, so I decided to bring out the big guns and invite my friend Wendy Brandes to join the conversation. I always love peering inside of Wendy's brain, don't you? As famous for her incredible jewelry designs as she is for her flawless red lips, Wendy is probably the first bloggerlebrity I've ever met; the fact that we've struck up a friendship is just bonus gravy!
Whenever we visit each others' cities we get together for vino and gossip, and do our best to not crack each other up, but it just doesn't work. Full of great insight into business and the mysteries of creativity, Wendy & I have had long-distance chats into the wee small hours - and they always leave me feeling full of renewed vigor, especially when I've been freaking myself out with the big "what does it all mean" questions. Wendy grabs my feet and pulls me back to earth with a good upper-cut to the chin. To which I say: "Thanks, I needed that!"
On top of all this, Wendy's talent for writing and design makes my head spin - but in a good way. So, without further ado, here she is...
What is your occupation and how did you arrive at it?
I'm a jewelry designer, and I got here in a roundabout way. My degree is in English literature and, from a very young age, I was sure I would be a journalist. I was also interested in fashion and daydreamed about combining my two interests in the job of fashion journalist, but I wound up in business news instead, working at Dow Jones News Service, the Wall Street Journal and CNN. I finally left business news to serve as managing editor of People magazine's website. Then, to borrow a line from Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part III, "Just when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in" and I went back to the business world as the managing editor of websites for the now-defunct Lehman Brothers. While I was at Lehman, I designed a few pieces of jewelry for myself, then a few more pieces, and my jewelry business grew out of that. I started a fashion blog to promote the jewelry line so, in a way, I finally achieved my fashion-journalist dream.
Name three things that inspired you this week.
The changing season. Empress Wu, an 8th-century Chinese ruler. The stark Rolling Stone cover photo of Yoko Ono taken after John Lennon's death.
What is your personal style "uniform"?
The most important elements are red lipstick and heels. Without those, I don't feel like myself. Most days, there are Acne jeans and a black Splendid t-shirt in between those two essential items.
Name one type of clothing, shoes or accessory that always makes you stop and stare, and explain why?
I have to stop and look at purses in the window of any Prada store. They do such creative things with leather.
Do you buy vintage? If so, what piece in your collection is your favorite?
I do buy a lot of vintage. Ossie Clark is my vintage designer. My most treasured piece is a snakeskin jacket of his that I bought from someone who used to work for him. He gave it to her in lieu of cash for her work. Designers love to do that! I like knowing he touched that jacket himself. My most recent purchase was the Moschino Jeans dress from Shrimpton Couture that I wore at the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference.
Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time? If so, what era would you like to have lived in and why?
I am perfectly happy in my own era. If I could take a time-travel vacation and just spend a week somewhere instead of committing to it long-term, I'd go back to the '70s so I could wear Ossie's floaty, sexy, rock-chic dresses and party like there was no tomorrow. I'd also spend a day as a 16th-century English queen, trying on all the royal regalia.
What current trend do you like most?
I was so excited that clogs came back. They really bring me back to middle school and high school, when all the girls clack-clack-clacked in their wooden soles. My mother didn't let me wear them! Finally, I've gotten to make up for that.
What current trend (in your opinion) cannot disappear fast enough?
That "dirty girl" look that seems disheveled and unwashed, and features oversize t-shirts with giant armholes that show side-boob. It makes me want to throw people into a shower.
What film could you watch over and over and still find something inspiring? Why?
I'm very affected by the stark beauty of Raise the Red Lantern. Gong Li is one of my favorite actresses. I will watch anything she's in. In reality, I do stop to watch Titanic any time I flip past it on TV. I love watching that ship break up. I don't know why. You'll have to ask a therapist!
If blogging didn't exist, how would you fill your extra time?
I'd probably have turned some of my book ideas into books by now! I am hoping to finish one in 2011 but fear my recent discovery of Doodle Jump will cause further delays.
Images: 1) Gravity Ring by Wendy Brandes Jewelry; 2) Rolling Stone magazine 1981 - from Wendy Brandes; 3) Wendy Brandes & Gigi; 4) Wendy Brandes; 5) Big Swear Rings by Wendy Brandes Jewelry; 6) still from Raise the Red Lantern 1991; 7) Doodle Jump poster on Zazzle
Wendy Brandes, bloggers, film, jewelry, style, vintage in P&C Questionnaire 
Reader Comments (5)
This is a seriously good interview.
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