Bloomingdale's Little Brown Book (November 2008)

Gwen’s glam life

Gwen Stefani talks about family, music and her cuting edge style inspirations – plus why she loves Bloomingdale’s

[via nxdscrapbook]

Red lips, platinum blonde hair and bold prints – that’s Gwen Stefani’s signature style. The musician and designer’s rocker-meets-school-girl look, which ranges from bright plaids to fitted leopard-print dresses to black-and-white stripes, has evolved into serious glamour. “The L.A.M.B girl is me,” says Stefani, speaking of her clothing and accessories line, an acronym of “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” Interpretation: The pieces are meant for someone individual, chic and always experimenting. The L.A.M.B-Bloomingdale’s partnership has been very successful. “I love Bloomingdale’s,” says Stefani. “They have been very supportive of L.A.M.B from the beginning.” 

Tim Schifter and Gwen Stefani founded Schifter+Partners in 2006 to build a portfolio of cool handbag brands that includes Stefani’s L.A.M.B and Harajuku Lovers lines; the company also licences Jill Stuart Purses and Kidrobot accessories (all sold at Bloomingdale’s stores). Schifter and Stefani make fantastic creative team because each complements the other. “I look at the big picture and Gwen’s great with the details. She provides the ultimate ‘cool’ test,” says Schifter. “Inspiration starts with her.” This year’s line has an international vibe – “think African school girl mashed up with other things I love,” says Stefani. Those things include Japanese culture, which informs her Harajuku Lovers collection, as well as everyday muses. “I find inspiration by watching a girl who’s cute walking down the street,” she says.

One of Schifter and Stefani’s biggest inspirations is music, of course. Stefani explains that, for her, that part often comes first. “The fashion is usually a celebration of my music,” she says. “When I work on an album, everything overlaps. And when I became inspired by something, I use it in my records, my costumes, my videos and in L.A.M.B”

But the process of making music and designing feel different to her. “Designing is less emotional for me, and, in many ways, more fun,” she says. “When I’m working on fashion, it’s lighthearted.”

After being on tour for a year, Stefani is ready to get back in the studio with No Doubt, the band with whom she launched her music career. “We’ve been trying to find each other again, and get used to each other,” she says. “We’re experimenting and figuring it out.” Her latest inspirations include sounds from the ’70s and ’80s, plus new music she’s finding on Myspace.com. “The record will reflect our evolution as a band and as people,” she says.

In her personal life, Stefani’s evolution involves a new baby boy, Zuma, born in August, adding to a family that includes rock star husband Gavin Rossdale and two-year-old son Kingston. So how does se balance fashion, music and family? “Sometimes I panic and wonder how I am going to do everything,” she admits. “But everything seems to fall into place. My family is my first priority. When I’m working, I can bring them along with me. When I’m not on tour, I can bring work to my house. I’m really lucky.”

As for what 2009 holds? “I hope I’ll have a record with No Doubt, and have a tour set up,” says Stefani. And with fashion? “I hope to have each L.A.M.B collection be better than the last.”