Fashion Insider Robert Verdi Spills Style Advice and More!

Posted by JenGage in Fashion Tips, Featured, Interesting News, Interviews | 0 comments

Stylist/TV Host/Interior Decorator/Fashion Insider Robert Verdi is currently hosting She’s Got The Look on TV Land. He took time out of his incredibly busy schedule to  give us the scoop on what it’s like to be spend a day in his shoes, working with Eva Longoria Parker and some excellent fashion tips!

So the series premiere of She’s Got the Look season two started on June 11th – what news can you share with us about this new season? Are there any surprises or differences from the first season? The show was such a big hit in season one, ten times as many women came out this year to put themselves in the spotlight.  The biggest difference the women are competing for $100,000 cash prize this season, which automatically makes the competition more intense.

It’s great that you’re part of a show that specifically targets women that are over 35; a demographic that frequently feels under served by the fashion industry and media- this show is definitely putting an interesting spin to the reality beauty category. Do you think that this show will inspire more shows like it? Yes.  I think that there are very few reflections of beauty for women in this age group to see themselves in our culture.  I also think that’s it’s smart business because these women are established, have buying power, and are no longer forgotten.  As soon as other networks recognize the value of serving this audience, the copy cats will come along.

What is the best part of being involved on a show like She’s Got the Look? You get to sit side by side with some of the most accomplished and successful experts in the world of fashion, and that together you’re
creating an opportunity for other people.

You are certainly no stranger to TV and have been involved with all sorts of different fashion and design shows from Full Frontal Fashion to Trading Spaces to cameos on Ugly Betty and the Devil Wears Prada- do you want to get into acting? Or do you prefer to be a host/ judge/ commentator? I’ve actually never been on Trading Spaces, but I hosted Surprise By Design.  I played myself in the Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty.  I’m pretty good at being me, and I don’t know that there would be a suitable role, other than me playing myself, which I’ve already been cast as.

How do you manage all of your different projects from styling to personal appearances to TV appearances and your jewelry line? Could you give us a peek into a day in the life of Robert Verdi? A peek…it’s like a hurricane happening at the same moment a bomb drops, a storm starts, and the power goes out…and that’s an easy day.

What inspired you to transition to TV from Jewelry? Jewelry is a return home for me, as I started making jewelry as a kid.  I went to FIT and became a goldsmith–so it’s a homecoming.

You currently have a jewelry line and recently debuted a watch collection for QVC and you’ve been quoted talking about your love of jewelry on plenty of occasions- do you think you’ll ever go back to jewelry as your main focus sometime in the future? No one thing can ever hold my focus.  It’s both why
I’m single and have a diverse business…it just makes life more  interesting.

Why do you think so many celebrities team up with QVC to launch their product lines? What made you decide to collaborate with QVC? QVC has an amazing reach, incredible integrity with quality, and allows me to be the salesperson of my own product.  It would be a different experience for customers to pick it out from a case in a department store, where I can’t sell it to them.  I think passion is important, particularly when you’re
communicating a message.

Being a celebrity stylist is certainly a dream job and celebrity stylists like yourself and Rachel Zoe have been gaining more and more media attention over the years, to the point where stylists are now celebrities in their own right, what’s your take on the profession? Is it as glamorous as it seems?
It’s as glamorous as packing boxes, carrying garment bags and steaming dresses sounds.  So, yes, it’s very glamorous.  ha ha ha ha

How did you get your start as a stylist? I met Eva Longoria on the set of Desperate Housewives.  We became fast friends.  My styling career was a by-product of my giving advice to her on what to wear to big red carpet
award shows.  She more than took my advice, she asked me to help her schedule meetings with designers and pick the dresses.  I did, and the rest of the story ends up on the best dressed list!

What’s it like working with celebrities like Eva Longoria Parker? It’s like working with your best friend.  You have to know when to be honest and tell them they don’t look good or share stories of your lives with each other.
It’s a very unique bond that only the two people in the relationship ever understand….kind of like marriage.

Is there anyone that you haven’t worked with that you’ve been dying to get your hands on? No.

You must have some great stories from working with Kathy as she’s such an outspoken personality, what’s been a highlight from your time working with her? Kathy is one of the most amazing, talented, generous women I’ve met. Every time I see Kathy, I feel like I’m seated in the front row of one of
her shows.  She is one of the very few celebrities I know that takes an interest in other people’s lives and hearing what other people think and knowing what other people do.  The only difference is, at the end of the night you’ve spent with Kathy, your stomach and checks hurt from laughing so hard.

Will we see you again on Kathy’s show My Life on the D-List? Absolutely. Kathy and I are best buds, so I’m sure the cameras will capture another outing together.

When and how did you get your start in interior design? What are the similarities it shares with being a stylist? Styling and interior or a celebrity is simply a matter of putting a complete, unique look together.  I got my start working for ABC Carpet and Home where I learned an enormous amount about antiques and fine home furnishings.

Let’s talk about your personal style, how did you get started with your trademark sunglasses? I was trying to disguise being bald, so I propped the glasses up hoping nobody would notice.  The rest is a trademark….

Do you think it’s important to have a signature piece? Yes, nobody really knows my name.  They just know me as the bald guy with the sunglasses on his head.

If you could convince women to have one piece of jewelry, what would it be? A locket.

You are definitely a fashion insider- as someone who been behind the scenes covering the runways and fashion week – how do you see the industry and fashion week changing for the 2010 shows? I think we’re going to see a lot more presentations and fewer runway shows.  I think the economy will force some mediocre designers out of business.  There will be a blossoming of new designers that are eco-friendly and socially responsible.

Obviously everyone’s interested in talking about the recession and how that’s affecting the fashion industry from legendary sales at Saks, to the closing of Bendel’s apparel business, to Vogue touting “investment” pieces- do you think the fashion will be forever changed by this recession? No,
fashion is psychological.  Investment pieces have always existed.  The reality is that “fast fashion” is what was new.

Do you believe in the idea of investment shopping? Yes, I think all purchases are either an investment or an expense.
What trends do you see as key during this time? Clothing inspired by far away travel destinations like Africa, Russia and the Far East, as well as fantasy clothing that is over the top.

Since it is summer and everyone’s traveling, what are your ultimate travel accessories? I always have my iPod, a small down travel pillow, a cashmere blanket, a hoodie (I hate when my head is on the pleather seats of an
airplane), dark sunglasses, Kiehls lip balm, my digital camera, and my laptop…because I’m writing a children’s book.

What are your summer plans? Any upcoming vacations? What’s a vacation?

What’s next for you? Hot air ballooning, learning to walk on a tight-rope and sky diving.