Mizz UK (April 3rd 2008)
Superstar Stefani
Gwen’s our fave fashion and pop icon and all-round quirky chick – No Doubt about it!
[via nxdscrapbook]
Hi there, Gwen! Good to catch up with you – how are you doing?
I’m great, thanks!
You’re famed for your bold fashion statements and for being a trendsetter. Do you choose all your outfits yourself?
Well, I have stylists who bring things in for me, although I still get very excited about what I’m going to wear every day! I used to make my own clothes when I was younger, too, so it’s very exciting for me!
Well, now you’ve got your own, über-cool fashion labels and a signature perfume, too. Tell us about them…
I have a whole range of merchandise called L.A.M.B, which is named after the initials of my first solo album, Love Angel Music Baby. Plus there’s another, called Harajuku Lovers, inspired by Japanese street style. My perfume is called L, which again stands for Love and it’s like me shrunken into a little box!
Your hands-on attitude to design led you to breaking a finger while stitching an outfit! Was that your x-ray that you put on one of your t-shirts?
No, that was Tony Kanal’s [No Doubt bassist and Gwen's ex]. He broke his finger and sent me the x-ray, so I did a t-shirt saying ‘Broken’ and the x-ray printed on it!
Your stage clothes are really incredible, too. What happens to them after a tour?
I auction them to my fans to raise money for charity. It’s very exciting to be able to share them in this way and do some good.
What do you like to do when you get a day off from your hectic pop-star life?
I absolutely love to watch TV and my favourite channel is Discovery Health. I also like those reality shows where they do makeovers on people – it’s fun to see the before and after comparisons!
We’re hooked on reality shows too! What’s your fave snack food while you’re watching telly?
Oh I love food! I’m weak for cookies and pizza, so I will have a little here and there.
Living in the spotlight must be tough, though?
It can be frustrating and hard sometimes but I’ve been really lucky to have Gavin [her hubby, British rock star and actor Gavin Rossdale]. He relates to and understands what I’m going through and knows what the music business is like.
Your song Wind It Up samples a song from The Sound Of Music and you dress up like Maria in the video. IS it your fave musical?
I love Julie Andrews [who played Maria in the original film]. And I remember when I was a little girl and went to see the movie, it was such a huge inspiration for me. There are loads of references to it in my video.
And finally – one more question about fashion! You seem to be a lot more down to earth than the average fashionista, so how do you feel about your “style icon” status?
I think that I’ve been able to fool a lot of people into thinking I’m pretty hip, but in reality I’m just a big dork! I’m just an Orange County girl from a loving family, making music with my friends!
Gwen – dressed to impress
“I remember when I was in school, they’d ask, ‘What are you going to be when you grow up?’ And then you’d have to draw a picture of it. I drew myself as a bride.”
“Now I’m a mother, I think I should always dress as a character for my children, so they think their mom is Alice in Wonderland or Cinderella.”
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice your performance for high heels”
“Being in music, you can wear whatever you want – it’s like an excuse for Hallowe’en every day!”
“I’d like to be one of the guys, but I wanna wear a lot of make-up”
Gwen’s favourite things
Favourite Food: Sushi
Fave make-up: Bright-red Lipstick
Best Place to live: California and then London
Favourite song on your new album: 4 In The Morning
Best chillout place: The park, ’cause it’s peaceful
Fave fashion designer:: Vivienne Westwood. I might as well just go there and hand over my entire pay-cheque, I spend so much money there!
Fave theatre show:The Sound Of Music
Favourite band: No Doubt, of course! My intention is to get back into the studio and record with them again.
Fave sport: Swimming. I used to swim in for my high school.
Favourite saying: Workin’ it!