Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Erica Corsano’s Stuff
Email to a friendPrint this article
Erica Corsano is one of Boston’s most visible and beloved bon vivants. She somehow seems to be out everywhere and chained to her desk editing the new and improved Stuff Magazine all at the same time. With just days to go before Boston Fashion Week and her Stuff Mag. After Party series begin, she’s busier than ever, but we managed a chat on email between deadlines and meetings and fittings and whatnot. A true original and an advocate for Boston’s fashion industry, Erica’s stuff, we found, is as entertaining as her Stuff.
Miss: First off, we hear you moderated the Fashion Group International Encore Fall 2009 Trends Report Screening at the MA College of Art and Design on Sept. 18th, do we need to call you “Miss Corsano” now, or “Teach”?
EC: Ha, ha. I’m cool with Erica, but Miss Corsano does have a nice ring to it! The students were great, really well-informed. It was fun. I think I’d like to do some part-time teaching… Stay tuned!
Miss: What trends did you discuss?
EC: We viewed the Spring 2010 FGI trend report video and discussed it with the students. Topics included: trends that work in Boston, style on a budget, how to best prepare to work with the press as fashion professionals, and the best way to use this kind of report and websites like Style.com and local fashion spreads in publications like Stuff for research and inspiration.
Miss: Do you look at subversive and off-beat trends or mostly mainstream?
EC: I’m always interested in finding the perfect balance of underground and mainstream fashion. Style is an expression of oneself. Dressing well should never just be about following trends…it should be about expressing yourself and incorporating the latest trends into your look with grace and ease. If liquid leggings or ripped denim aren’t your thing, you shouldn’t be wearing them.
Miss: Phew. I am definitely not a liquid leggings girl. What do you find design students most want to talk about with someone like you, an influential editor?
EC: They want a job! Or they want to know how to go about getting a job! A lot of these kids are looking for practical advice about their future careers. It’s SO important for professionals to share their knowledge with students.
Miss: Stuff Magazine is sponsoring an After Party series during Boston Fashion Week - what do we have to look forward to?
EC: We’re partnering with Brown Forman (think yummy cocktails with Chambord) and some of the hottest venues in town. Think great energy, incredible DJs, VIP hosts, signature cocktails and eye candy galore!
Miss: Where will the parties be, who will be there and how late will they go?
EC: The venues are 33, Vinalia, Alibi, The Liberty Hotel, City Bar and Bond. They run from 9pm to whenever the venue closes! The events are open to the public but the crowd will most likely be made up of local VIPs, readers, fashionistas and budding fashionistas! For a full schedule, check out bostonfashionweek.com and for daily fashion week coverage head to stuffboston.com/fashionweek.
Miss: Can we wear the new kicks we got at Bodega or is there a fashion week dress code?
EC: You should be yourself and express yourself. If your idea of fashionable and chic equals kicks from Bodega, then go for it! I’d say a safe bet on the dress code is “casual chic” meets “cocktail attire”.
Miss: Now, about you… How will we find you at your parties? Feathers? Sequins? Neon?
EC: Well, I’ll be dressed by Diesel, Reiss, Daniela Corte, Sara Campbell and Twilight…So I’d say it’ll be a fun mix. Some nights you’ll find me in jeans and a blazer (my signature look) and on other days I’ll rock tall boots and a cocktail dress. I’m hoping to snag some fabulous necklaces from my friend Camilla [Gallacher]. She designs a line called Millie&Me — it’s so much fun!
Miss: Camilla sells her jewelry at Looc - we love it too! Describe one of your most memorable fashion faux pas, the more mortifying the better…
EC: Oh lord… I grew up in the late 80’s early 90’s so there’s got to be a few hundred, but here goes. Looking back, I’m totally mortified by the fact that I used to wear a white leather jacket with fringe and matching white leather fringe boots. Oh and I loved wearing my acid- washed pencil skirt… It was during my glam rock phase!!
Miss: If Stuff Magazine were a celebrity, who would it be?
EC: Yikes, tough one! Maybe Drew Barrymore… she’s a free spirit who loves life. Her style is upscale-meets-edgy; I love that about her. She’s kind of spastic and totally quirky, but in the end of the day totally gets the job done. She can be elegant or underground and she’s totally unpredictable… I love that.
Miss: How do you feel about fashion in Boston, is it evolving? What excites you the most?
EC: I can’t tell you how many times I have asked people that very question…not so easy to answer when the tables are turned! I think Boston has totally evolved. It started a couple years back with an influx of small, independently-owned boutiques (Dress, Habit, Twilight, Stil and the list goes on). I think women in Boston have become more fearless with their style, which is great. The boys…they need a little bit more help! I’m excited for Boston Fashion Week, especially the Sam Mendoza and Daniela Corte fashion shows. I’m also excited about checking out Flock, a new boutique in the South End.
Miss: Now for the fun stuff. Who would you rather? (I know you like European men, so I have to ask…)
Miss: Beckham or Nadal?
EC: Nadal
Miss: Jude Law or Robert Pattinson?
EC: Jude Law
Miss: Prince William or Harry?
EC: Harry—party harty!
Miss: Spanx or push up bra?
EC: Spanx, I’m a curvy gal!
Miss: Red lips or red eye shadow?
EC: Neither!
Miss: Fur or faux?
EC: Fur as long as it’s not mink
Erica Corsano is the Editorial Director of Stuff Magazine.
Comments