Miu Miu’s Croisière embellishes rhythmic serenity in the new 2015 advertising campaign.
Wilbert talks to artist and designer Taz Arnold about how to dress when you're a Freaky Bitch
It's so lame when you go to a fashion site and they have features like "What to Wear to Work" or "How to Dress When You Meet Your BF/GF's Parents." Who even has jobs or long term relationships anymore? Don't let those losers dumb your life down into cookie cutter scenarios. You're much more of an individual. You have crazy unique experiences, like the time you went to a gay strip club with your first grade teacher and he bought you a lap dance or that other time you tongue-kissed your cousin in church just to find out if the intense level of sin would make you both disintegrate into dogma dust. And during both of those incredibly weird and strange happenings, didn't you wish you had worn a better outfit? Well, this column is here to solve your super obscure and strange fashion needs with the help of really famous or, at the very least, really cool people's advice.
For the inaugural "What to Wear When," I tapped Taz Arnold. Taz is a regular renaissance man, constantly creating in so many mediums it's kind of impossible to keep up. He's known by most as a member of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, the hip-hop group and production powerhouse that has crafted beats for legends like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, and released their own stellar albums. He's also a street fashion maven, running his own label Tisa, which helped spawn the current snap-back craze and has turned out an incredible collaborative collection with luxury leather brand MCM. Right now he's focusing on growing his vintage Ralph Lauren-inspired El Americans fashion label—in the 90s Taz was a well known Ralph Lauren enthusiast and booster.
Taz just dropped his first solo LP, Rad America, which features the sexy single "Freaky Bitch." Excited about the prospect of being a freaky bitch myself, I wondered what does one wear when they get into freaky bitch mode? And so started my hypothetical discussion on what to wear when, with Taz Arnold.
Wilbert L. Cooper: So, there's a huge party being thrown by Twelv Magazine for Obama's second inauguration ceremony and I get invited. I'm bringing ethiopian model Liya Kebede as my date, and I want to look like your music sounds—completely "Freaky Bitch." What should I have on?
Taz Arnold: I would suggest a tuxedo, a really a fitted tuxedo. One that is on some James Bond or Peter Gabriel type shit—very sophisticated and chic.
How would you accessorize it?
Everything would have to be understated with gold accents. But maybe blow them away with some gold shoes.
OK, and what about my girl Liya Kebede? Given her profession, I imagine she's well versed in the ways of the "Freaky Bitch."
The lady might wear some lingerie and a garter belt with a longer trench coat on top and some heels. That's the kind of outfit that you can get crazy with really quick. It definitely promotes some freaky scenarios without being too risqué.
What kind of lingerie?
Anything that has some French lace. It could have a little black or red satin. No brand in particular, though. Whatever is her favorite. The more time she puts into it, the more freaky it will be—and the more effective. And she can still wear a very nice trench coat and very nice shoes to offset the sexy.
Was there ever a tuxedo that you wore that really made you feel like you were a freaky bitch?
I produced a song with my group Sa-Ra that has everybody on it; Kanye West, Bentley Farnsworth, Andre 3000. We are all in the video wearing these Hugo Boss tuxedos. I'm not too into Hugo, but there was something about these particular tuxedos that was special. It might have been the way we had them altered.
What'd you do to them?
We went to the tailor and had them fitted like we were in the 60s with the flooded pant legs that let people see our socks. I felt like I was David Ruffin from the Temptations. It was the first time I'd ever worn a tuxedo and it really helped change my perspective on formal dressing.
How so?
I could see how a well cultured man back in the day with his mind focused on being successful in business or trying to look sharp for the ladies would wear clothes like that regularly. It represents a certain classiness that people don't have as much today. It's great too because with the pants up about a half inch higher than they would regularly be, you get that sleek effect. None of that baggy stuff. People didn't wear that back in the 50s and 60s.
A Twelv party is where I want to look like a freaky bitch. How about you? What's your ideal place to really express yourself through your clothes?
Paris. It's kind of corny because a lot of rappers are talking about Paris right now, but its true. I really love that city, it's so romantic.
Any event in particular?
Paris during Fashion Week, where everyone is just enjoying each other's fashion and style.
Yeah, people still talk about the leopard print pants you wore to Fashion Week years ago when you were hanging with Kanye. They even spoofed that outfit in South Park! You definitely had your freak bitch swag on there. Moving on to scents, what kind of fragrances might you use to complete the whole package?
I really like Bond Street Cologne. But when I want to step it up, I like to use some oils from India or maybe Malaysia. Oils like that can run you up to $400 for one bottle. But it's worth it, because the right scent can send a girl who's not really thinking about you way into her favor.
Really? Any experiences with that?
Definitely. I was hanging out with a chick, she lived in Clinton Heights. I was just stopping by to see her house. We were both attracted to each other, but it wasn't a pending situation of us having sex.
And you had on the oils?
Yeah, and every time I would sit next to her she would move away. I thought I had done something wrong. She wouldn't even let me get close enough to her to talk. And I didn't want to be yelling in her apartment. I asked what was up and she was like, "Uhhh, you smell really good." So, I kind of cornered her and was like, "I think you're moving around too much."
And the rest is history… Thanks for the tips Taz! Those oils are on my shopping list. I'm trying to get my freaky bitch on ASAP.
Listen to Taz's new album Rad American below:
http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2012/03/08/tia-taz-arnold-rad-america-mixtape/
Wilbert L. Cooper is an assistant editor at VICE Magazine. He loves his job and Morris Day and the Time. Follow him on Twitter: @WilbertLCooper
edited by Jessica Appelstein
related posts
DEMARCHELIER CAPTURES DIOR BOTH CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY
Seminal fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier has produced a second tribute to iconic fashion house Dior. Entitled: “Dior: New Couture”, the volume features elegant pieces spanning...
MORGAN LANE INTERVIEW/FASHION STORY
Exclusive Interview/Fashion Story "MORGAN LANE" is now updated!
Check inside for the full page Interview/Fashion Story!
Fall into the holidays with Gucci
Italian fashion brand, Gucci makes falling look like an art with their latest short film.
Chrome Hearts - A New Creative Space in Miami
During Art Basel Chrome Hearts is opening a new space that combines the passions behind the brand.
Saint Laurent features celebrity offspring in new campaign
Pierce Brosnan's defined bone structure and natural attraction to the camera must be genetic, his 17-year-old son Dylan was featured in St.
Stella McCartney honored with Women’s Leadership Award
Designer Stella McCartney was honored at the Lincoln Center, in New York, with a Women’s Leadership Award event.
PRADA RESORT 2015 CAMPAIGN
Prada’s 2015 resort ad and video campaign has been released and the results are striking. Shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel, the video features newcomers Adrienne Juliger, Ine Neefs and...
DAVID YURMAN FASHION STORY "INTO DARKNESS"
Exclusive Fashion Story "INTO DARKNESS" is now updated!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM H&M FEAT. TONY BENNETT AND LADY GAGA
This holiday season, H&M will be ushering the festivities with help from iconic singer Tony Bennett and pop behemoth Lady Gaga.
2014 GUGGENHEIM INTERNATIONAL GALA PRE-PARTY MADE POSSIBLE BY DIOR
On November 5th, the 2014 Guggenheim International Gala’s pre-party honored famed artists Heniz Mack, Wang Jianwei, Günther Uecker, Carrie Mae Weems, and the late Otto Piene. Hosted by...
RUBY ROSE INTERVIEW/FASHION STORY
Exclusive Interview/Fashion Story "RUBY ROSE" is now updated!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN AND ELISA SEDNAOUI PROMOTE EDUCATION THROUGH THE ARTS
Christian Louboutin, designer of the famed red-soled shoes, has collaborated with Elisa Sednaoui, model-actress/philanthropist, to push for an expansion of education in Egypt and other...
KENZO COLLABORATED WITH EVIAN
Mineral water brand Evian has teamed up with French Fashion House Kenzo to produce stylish, limited-edition water bottles.
SARAH PAULSON EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW/FASHION STORY
Exclusive Interview/Fashion Story "SARAH PAULSON" is now updated!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
"DIOR AND I"
The Orchard, a film and TV distributer, has announced their acquisition of the rights in Canada and the U.S.
GUESS FASHION STORY"GUESS WHAT?"
Exclusive Fashion Story "GUESS WHAT?" is now updated!
Check inside for the full page Fashion Story!
ALEXANDER WANG x H&M COLLECTION
Counting down in one week! ALEXANDER WANG x H&M Collection will be released in stores on November 6th.
TID WATCHES"TID NO.1"
TID is a Stockholm based watch brand founded in 2012 by Ola Eriksson, Petrus Palm.r and design studio Form Us With Love.
CLARKS SOHO STORE GRAND OPENING
The British brand CLARKS has a long history of shoe making and has forever made a mark in the industry.
THANK YOU FOR GAVE US A DREAM WARDROBE"OSCAR DE LA RENTA"
“I want to make clothes that people will wear, not styles that will make a big splash on the runway.”
- Oscar de la Renta -
JILL STUART'S NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN SOHO
Jill Stuart recently announced the opening of her new flagship store and marked the occasion with an opening reception on Thursday the 16th of October.
KATE MOSS AND STELLA MCCARTNEY FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Kate Moss and Stella McCartney for Breast Cancer Awareness
LANVIN PUBLISHES PHOTO BOOK LANVIN: I LOVE YOU
The French fashion house of Lanvin recently published a stunning coffee table book titled Lanvin: I Love You.
FASHION STORY"NEW GIRL ON THE BLOCK"
Exclusive Fashion Story "NEW GIRL ON THE BLOCK" is now updated!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
GISELE BUNDCHEN'S FOR CHANEL N°5 NEW FRAGRANCE ADS
You can see GISELE BUNDCHEN in CHANEL N°5's newest film "THE ONE THAT I WANT." The first shot, taken by Great Gatsby director BAZ LUHRMANN, shows BUNDCHEN sporting CHANEL's wetsuit and...
MIU MIU S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
MIU MIU SS 2015 WOMAN'S COLLECTION
“I always loved aesthetics. Not particularly fashion, but an idea of beauty.” - Miucicca Prada -
GIVENCHY S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Givenchy2015 SS came off sexy and hard, fierce breeze was passing through with the long tight skinned leather boots. Designer, Riccardo Tisci said NO!
ELIE SAAB S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
“I'm an ocean, because I'm really deep. If you search deep enough you can find rare exotic treasures.”
- Christina Aguilera -
SAINT LAURENT S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Energetic, aggressive, and attractive yet classy and somehow elegant designs stormed the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2015 on 29th September 2014.
LANVIN S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Paris Fashion Week S/S 2015 is walking on the scene from this week, LANVIN reveal Spring / Summer 2015 womenswear collection which is celebrated with its 125th anniversary as well.
COMME DES GARCONS S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Blood-like passionate red were on the stage of Comme des Garçons SS2015. They are all in total different figures and...
MAISON KITSUNÉ NYFW 2014 VIDEO OF “EFFORTLESS FRENCH”
This year, a Parisian fashion brand MAISON KITSUNÉ presented its first official presentation in New York during NYFW S/S 2015.
VALENTINO S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Maison Valentino, renowned for iconic and romantic Italian design showed their Spring 2015 collection during Paris Fashion Week.
CHANEL S/S2015 READY-TO-WEAR
CHANEL SPRING/SUMMER 2015 READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION