Talking Fabulous with Anna Estella
Anna Estella was the winning designer on the series premiere of TLC's Who Are You Wearing?, and she doesn't intend on that being her only 15 minutes of fame. Asking her some questions, I found out that she's a very motivated girl who believes you're never too old to be fabulous, and that we should wear ruffles on our butts....
Anna ended up on TLC after originally interviewing for the hair show Shear Genius. She found herself talking not just about hair, but about fashion in general, and soon received a call-back for a new TV project called Who Are You Wearing? Her design was chosen - a light green gown with a large flower that was eventually tamed down for Ali Sweeney's tastes. When 22-year-old Anna isn't purposely overdressing and sewing dresses out of her bedsheets, she is working on two fashion lines by Anna Estella.
Every Woman is a Superstar
As a self-described stylist as well as a designer, it is important for Anna to have the whole package, from hair to face to clothes. When I asked her about her must-have beauty products she listed OSiS Dust by Schwarzkopf, a matte-ifying hair powder she uses for her signature big hair - "A little sprinkle on the roots and a little tease gives your hair a fabulous lift" - and MAC cream eyeshadows. Anna believes that all women can benefit from some pampering & products.
"I think some women think they don't really have to get ready for a normal day or they think they are to old to be fashionable, but a little mascara, lipstick , and a brush though the hair go a long way, and you feel so much better all throughout the day. Every woman should feel like a superstar no matter what their age - It is our right to feel fabulous!"
Her Inspirations
When asked where she gets her inspiration, Anna responded, "Honestly, I am very inspired by faith, beauty, strength, and love. People in my life that work so hard and don't give up and keep going inspire me every day."
Anna Estella, the name she uses for her fashion creations, is actually Anna's first and middle name.
"[Estella] was my beautiful grandma's name and I have always wanted to use my first and middle name for my collections."
When it comes to designers who inspire her, it comes as no surprise that the first name she drops is Betsey Johnson - "She has such a beautiful outlook on fashion and she's just so fun, girly, colorful, and extremely talented." Other faves include Christian Siriano and Louis Verdad.
Anna goes on,
"I also love Marc Jacobs, Oscar de La Renta, Edwardo Lucero, Ashley Page, and seriously I can go on and on. These designers are all so fabulous and I have heard some of their stories of their hard, hard work and struggling and not giving up. I think they are all just fabulous, talented, show-stoppers, and survivors. You can always tell who really loves what they are doing through the creation, and when you put so much
love, hard work, and appreciation in something, it really shows."
Ruffles & Bedsheets
I have to ask her what she thinks will be the next big trend. She answers,
"My prediction on the next big thing in clothing I think will be my black super tight leggings with ruffles and bows on the butt! And I just think they're great. I personally love, love, love them because I love leggings and they give flat-butted girls like me the illusion of having a little more booty, and for girls with a booty it's even better."
She cites the leggings as the piece she goes to when she doesn't know what to put on. Anna isn't someone who has trouble coming up with an outfit, though.
She shares,
"I actually just went to Tarina Tarantino's Barbie release party and I had absolutely nothing to wear that I hadn't all ready worn and no time to get fabric so I actually made a dress out of my sheets! And it worked out fabulously! I've really learned to work with what I have but thankfully it always works out."
Anna Wants You to Feel Pretty
Anna is working on two lines right now, a process that takes time because "I do everything myself, from the pattern-making to actual construction of the garment." The first line she calls I Feel Pretty, named for the reaction people have when trying on her dresses. The line consists of "pink, girly, pretty dresses." The second line, I Feel Pretty-Daring, is "more avant-garde fabulous designs, but very wearable for going out or everyday; for the fashionistas of the world the name pretty much says it all."
Anna is currently selling headbands from her line I Feel Pretty-Daring at myspace.com/AnnaEstella. She says she would love to have her own boutique to sell her designs, and that she would love to dress Gwen Stefani, Kat Von D, Victoria Beckham, or Rihanna, calling them "complete fashionistas on a normal day to a night on the town or red carpet."
When I ask her for advice for other aspiring fashionistas, she stresses the importance of staying true to yourself and urges ambitious designers to "wake up every morning more motivated than the last!" She is clearly full of ambition herself, and an up-and-coming designer to keep your eye on. Whether or not you find yourself wearing her pieces (her headbands are currently selling for around $50 a pop), you can definitely adopt her attitude about fashion and beauty inside & out.
As Anna says, "It is our right to feel fabulous!"
hmm..sounds sweet! but a total rip off of another Los Angeles desgner. Especially the ruffles on the b*tt with leggings etc. "the whole woman are never to old" is total plagiarism. wish people would become more original... Anyways shes lame!!!!
i think she is amazing, creative, and beautiful... keep up the good work!
you're lame.