Alia Simone’s work is seen throughout purple carpets, movie premieres, and high-profile journal covers. On this unique interview, London Summers and Alia Simone, the rising superstar wardrobe stylist of world icon Eddie Murphy speak about her profession, styling Eddie for his marriage ceremony ceremony and his Essence Journal cowl.
Unique Interview by London Summers
London Summers: Alia, it’s a pleasure to attach with you! You’ve been making your mark within the vogue world and styling the legendary Eddie Murphy, what was your first styling expertise with him like?
Alia Simone: Hello London, it’s so good to attach with you and the HypeHair household! I’ve been an extended standing fan of the journal and I’m extraordinarily honored to be featured. Styling Eddie Murphy for the final 5 years has been nothing in need of a dream. It’s a full circle second due to the connection my dad had with comedians and entertainers. We might watch all of Mr. Murphy’s basic movies like Life, The Nutty Professor and Shrek collectively. We would snicker for hours and hours. My dad handed away once I was 9 years previous and someway, I really feel that this work alternative has related me a lot to these reminiscences that my father and I shared.
My first expertise with Mr. Murphy was on the set of Coming 2 America. I used to be the assistant to the Costume Designer and I had no thought what was in-store for me. I used to be chosen to fashion him for press that he wanted to do for his film “Dolomite is my title” in between filming for Coming 2 America. I used to be so nervous that I wasn’t going to get issues proper. I used to be used to styling people who I knew personally, not a comedic super-star. Nonetheless, I conjured up the entire religion that I had in me and determined to dive in head first!
LS: You styled Eddie Murphy, for his marriage ceremony, an occasion that made headlines around the globe. What was that second like for you personally and professionally?
AS: Styling Mr. Murphy for his marriage ceremony was an unbelievable expertise to say the least. We had simply completed engaged on press in New York and I used to be instructed after we landed again in LA that I might have 2 weeks to get his marriage ceremony look collectively. The idea was laid out plain for me, to collect each white swimsuit that will match a king. I contacted designers worldwide to search out the very best swimsuit for him, one thing that represents his cool and calm demeanor, but additionally made him really feel fully dapper on his huge day. On the ultimate becoming, we selected a swimsuit from one in every of my favourite design homes, Brioni. This was a bespoke choice that matched his power and private fashion. The perfect a part of it was that his spouse, Paige, permitted with flying colours. That was extraordinarily necessary to me! I thought of this second a private “degree up” in my skilled life. Personally, after seeing these pictures from Individuals Journal, I congratulated myself and took within the proud second.
LS: Are you able to inform us what was the inspiration for Eddie’s marriage ceremony look, from the colour palette to the tailoring? What story did you need his fashion to inform on that day?
AS: That day, I needed to inform the exceptional story of the King who discovered his perpetually Queen. I entered right into a headspace of my very own and tapped into my childlike creativeness. I dreamt of myself on a Caribbean sand seaside, I imagined myself sitting within the sand and wanting off into the space, catching the scene of a gorgeous marriage ceremony in-front of me… The bride in all white, strolling down the flower petaled aisle to fulfill to her King. I used this imaginative and prescient to thrust my creativity ahead to construct the appears that aligned with what I noticed in my imaginative and prescient. We ended up discovering the proper look throughout the choices that I laid earlier than Mr. Murphy and we have been all very happy with the outcomes of the look.
LS: Eddie Murphy and Bella Murphy regarded wonderful within the Essence Journal “Hollywood Royalty” cowl, it was a defining second celebrating legacy and Black excellence. What was the inventive path behind these iconic appears?
AS: The inventive path behind the appears for the “Hollywood Royalty” Essence cowl got here from my thought of personifying “Black Excellence” This was such an enormous second for Bella as this cowl was debuting her as not simply one other Hollywood superstar little one. However an actress and an artist on her personal. She performed alongside her father, The King of Comedy within the sequel of a basic movie, Coming 2 America, this was her first time having such an necessary position. For this cowl, it was necessary to me for her to appear like her father as she had been actually following in his footsteps. I dressed her in a black energy swimsuit to characterize that she wasn’t a bit of child anymore, however a Hollywood actress and a maturing younger girl. Mr. Murphy was styled in a Dolce and Gabana double-breasted blazer with Jacquard lapel. I beloved the way in which the duvet turned out as a result of it was precisely what I hoped for.
LS: How would you describe your private styling aesthetic, and what makes your inventive strategy stand out in Hollywood’s fast-paced vogue scene?
AS: My private fashion varies from day after day. It’s so humorous as a result of there are occasions once I could be noticed in dishevelled denims, a fitted Yankees hat and a crop prime, and there are occasions once I’m able to throw on heels and a cocktail gown only for lunch with my associates. I usually pull inspiration from music, artwork and street-wear. My fashion can transition relying on my temper, the climate and even my coiffure. I imagine that non-public fashion shouldn’t be put in a field and that everybody ought to discover their freedom to precise their fashion in each means!
LS: When did you first fall in love with vogue, and what second made you understand you needed to show that keenness right into a profession as a stylist for the celebs?
AS: I first found my love for the humanities once I was a bit of lady. My mom, who taught me tips on how to sew by hand, had a stack of cloth that I beloved to dive into and contact and really feel. I began sneaking into the stash of cloth with scissors and determined to chop up small items in order that I may design my doll garments. I began chopping little by little on a regular basis and (with out having the means to stitch but). I started gluing the chopped bits onto the doll’s physique. I bear in mind feeling a way of energy in that second. I felt like nothing may cease me as a result of I used to be making my very own concepts come to life. Just a few years later, I requested for a model for Christmas and to my shock that yr, a 6 foot tall, black, life-sized model, full with eyelashes and a stand got here within the mail. I used to be so overjoyed, it pushed me to tears. That is once I knew I needed to pursue vogue perpetually.
LS: Stroll us via your course of when styling a consumer for a main occasion from idea to ultimate becoming. How do you stability the consumer’s character along with your inventive imaginative and prescient?
AS: My course of for styling a consumer for a serious occasion is totally different relying on the consumer. I prefer to analysis the occasion, watch the film trailers, interview the consumer and ask them about how they see themselves. I prefer to dive deep into their world and learn the way they wish to present up. From there, I play with choices in my thoughts. I construct a lookbook and invite unconventional issues into the temper board to introduce a sense that may be connected to the look. Shoppers discover it refreshing to visualise the vibe and path earlier than the pulling and purchasing ensues. As soon as they log off on the path, I’m going ahead on contacting the style homes to make all of it come collectively. Lastly, I plan the becoming full with garments, footwear and equipment. As soon as we decide on the look(s), we match with the tailor and make all of it come collectively.
LS: As a stylist, picture is every part and that features hair. What’s your go-to coiffure that makes you’re feeling assured and highly effective, whether or not you’re behind the scenes or stepping out in entrance of the digicam?
AS: My go-to hair fashion as a stylist is a sew in with curls. I just lately dyed my hair an auburn, ginger colour for the autumn/winter and I’ve been getting so many compliments. I like planning for early mornings and throwing in heatless curlers in a single day assist me to remain ready for early morning call-times. The curls additionally final all all through the day in order that I can look put collectively whereas I run to and from set!
LS: You’re shortly changing into a recognizable title on this planet of superstar vogue. How do you navigate constructing your individual model ‘The Elegant Millionaire’ whereas serving to others shine in entrance of the digicam?
AS: I’ve needed to learn to plan each final minute of my world currently. I’m a full time stylist, a make-up artist, a volunteer at my church and I run my very own enterprise The Elegant Millionaire. I’m a busy girl to say the least. Nonetheless, I might not commerce my busy life for the world. I take advantage of my time administration and my ardour for constructing my very own model to find time for my CEO life. I’ve constructed a serious clientele for the model within the higher Los Angeles Space and can’t wait to impression all main cities with these appears for each season. The imaginative and prescient of the Elegant Millionaire is to empower girls with types that may land them the deal, preserve them because the focal point within the boardroom and gentle up the room for his or her most necessary occasion. Our mission is to fashion all individuals who wish to make a press release, to dress them in grace and give them the arrogance they deserve.
