St Louis Magazine / April 2008 / Q&A: Simon Doonan

Q&A: Simon Doonan

The window-designing maven dishes on a life in fashion

After a 20-year career (and still counting) as Creative Director for Barney’s New York, Simon Doonan knows a thing or two about style. Not only is he internationally recognized for his envelope-pushing and brilliant window designs at the respected department store, but also for his hilariously entertaining books, including Wacky Chicks, Nasty and his recent release Eccentric Glamour. Before he came to town for an appearance at the Jewish Book Festival, I chatted with Doonan to get the dish on his latest project encouraging all to say “no to ho … and yes to eccentric glamour.”

After the past three books about your life and the characters in it, why was this book important for you to write?
I had to write this book. People need to get back in touch with self-expression through fashion. I keep seeing two celebrity trends, [one of] which I call the “gun-shy celeb,” meaning they are terrified to appear on the “what was she wearing?” pages, so they play it safe. On the other side of the spectrum, is the porno-chic celeb who dresses like a slut to get attention. I think people need to stop worrying about trends and return to their personal style. People can be extreme like Tilda Swinton and also be glamorous.

You’ve mentioned this is not a typical style-advice book. How do you get the message across?
I did one-on-one interviews with 14 of the most glamorous eccentrics, including Iman, Dita von Teese, Lucy Liu and Swinton. I wanted this to have a serious message—with humor. I also included autobiographical humiliations and a mix of cultural commentary.

Through your experience in fashion—including appearing on America’s Next Top Model—do you have any advice for readers who would like to get into the business?
Young people have been hypnotized by the reality shows on TV; the media makes a career in fashion look easy. I suggest that you get a job and really see how it works. Be a designer for someone else and let them have the headaches. Try that for 10 years and then decide. It is a very difficult business and the people who have sustained, like Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, are exceptional and very resilient.

After many years in the business, how do you stay inspired and keep it fresh?
I love the challenge of coming up with new ideas. I look at old magazines, history, trash for inspiration. I look at people I admire. In the column I wrote for the NY Observer [called Simon Says, which that included pieces like “Why Oprah Spurned Me,” “The Tranny Diaries,” “I Dream of Rehab” and “Attack of the Concierges”], I found inspiration from celebrities, unsavory topics and everyday life.

Eccentric Glamour, published by Simon & Schuster, is available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com.