TV personality, show host, fashion designer, singer and actress, Kelly Osbourne has been known for a lot of things. Having always maintained a bold, outspoken personality, she’s become a household name for her distinct voice as much as her instantly-recognisable image. Having grown up in the public eye, first appearing on the series, The Osbournes, with her family, she’s since been a huge presence on American reality shows. For five years, she co-hosted the hit show, Fashion Police and was one of E!’s Fashion Correspondents, whilst most recently, she’s joined the judging panel for the first season of Project Runway spinoff, Project Runway Junior, which gives a stage to teenage aspiring fashion designers.
coat I BLUES via ZALANDO t-shirt SCOUT LOS ANGELES trousers LAUREN RALPH LAUREN via ZALANDO
Meanwhile, she’s worked with several global beauty and fashion brands such as on a MAC Cosmetics collection with her mother, Sharon last year. Establishing her own sense of style through fashion design, namely via her high street brand Stories… By Kelly Osbourne, a ready-to-wear fashion line, she’s also fighting the cause for fair fashion with sizes ranging from US 0-24. Currently working on the third collection, she’s also set to be part of the next season of Australia’s Got Talent. Here we spoke to her over her hectic schedule about being a teen icon, her life in LA, to karaoke and kitchen parties.
Photography Ben Lamberty
Styling Santa Bevacqua
Make-up Denika Bedrossian
Hair Ryan Randall / The Only Agency, using R+Co
Production Kira Stachowitsch
Styling Assistant Britton Litow
Photo Assistant John Mims
Digital Tech Kevin Kozicki
Retouch by Retouched
Thanks to Airbnb for the beautiful Los Angeles shoot location!
shirt KARL LAGERFELD via ZALANDO coat VINTAGE YOHJI YAMAMOTO denim CITIZENS OF HUMANITY via ZALANDO shoes DR MARTENS via ZALANDO
So you’re a judge on the new Project Runway Junior, where you’re working with teenagers – it seems to be a fun and dramatic show, what’s the hardest situation you’ve had to deal with during it?
By far, it’s the elimination process. It’s the absolute worse. You’re looking at somebody with so much passion and talent for what they do. And as somebody who is a designer with so much passion for what I do… And you’re sat here looking at 13 to 17-year-olds. I felt like a dreamcrusher.
We [and the other judges] were all joking about how to not look like crybabies or psychos, because we fell in love which each designer as they were so individual, unique and talented. I could just go on for days about what a beautiful experience it was. Most of these kids, they’ve never been around kids like them – they’re from small towns without people who do what they do. They’re the outcasts of high school society, and to see them all together in a group of people who do what they do, and learn and grow was really a beautiful experience. To be a part of a positive fashion show was really fun.
Do you see yourself as a role model for teenagers?
Ooh. That’s scary for me because I’m not perfect in any way and I still make a lot of mistakes. I always try to live my life in the best way possible and always do everything with the best of intentions, but I guess that is something that I have unintentionally become and am scared of it. Because I would never want somebody to do something because I did it, because I do a lot of stupid shit.
What’s your greatest piece of advice for teens growing up in 2015, given the internet and social media etc? Is this detrimental to the process of growing up?
Just remember what’s real life. Just cause it’s on the internet doesn’t mean its true. And it does not matter if you’re different, as long as you’re happy and stay true to yourself. If you’re a good person, work hard, then your dreams come true. And people suck, don’t expect everyone to be nice.
How would you describe your designs for your fashion label Stories? What are the influences for the latest season?
Chapter One was really just getting started and we learnt so much from it, especially when it came to fabrics to use, it was pretty much basics and the beginning. Chapter Two, The Secret Garden – I really wanted to work with floral prints. I had this Armani bag which was also a backpack that had this sportswear fabric, and I thought about how women are required to do so much and be physical, so it got me thinking of sportswear fabrics, like neoprene and stretchier cotton. I wanted a bit more structure that can move, and to mix floral prints with sportswear, so we did that by putting in mesh and supportive panels. And going from 0-24, we had to think as sizes go up and down, and how to accentuate women’s bodies. That was a really fun process for me. It came out really beautifully.
What is your creative process behind the label in terms of design?
Well I start off by creating a story, and from there I start thinking about the colour palette and what kind of textiles I can create and [for the Secret Garden] what kind of flowers I had in my own garden. It’s all in-house and it’s a real hands on collaborative thing, and sometimes they have to get real with me and tell me my ideas are too outlandish. My mission is to make fashion fair, without being ridiculously expensive or unattainable to anyone. It’s harder to design for people younger than me, but it’s also a lot more fun.
dress MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION
As your label fights for it, how do you think positive body image is changing in America and the UK?
There’s progress on teaching people how to be healthy. Not just on what you eat, but mentally healthy as well. Then you can start looking at yourself in a positive way and that women don’t have to be perfect or the best, but there’s a huge perception that women have to look one way. But we don’t have to look the same, people need to realise how special they are. I think we’re on our way though.
How has your own style changed over the recent years?
I think it’s maturing, I’m wearing a lot less colour recently! Maybe because my hair is enough. I always have such fun with fashion, and I think since living in a corporate world where you have to check in with what everyone is wearing, and now having some time off is rediscover what my style is and have fun with fashion has been really great.
Having all these diverse interests, does fashion feel more like your natural calling now?
My natural calling to me is always music, that’s where I’m born from, but everything I do in fashion is more than just a passion, but I’d still love to do more acting roles. Anything that involves creativity. I want girls to realise they don’t have to be perfect. And you have to work for your dreams.
Music was a big part of your life, who/what are you listening to now?
I listen to a lot of old music. Abbey Road will always be one of my favourite albums of all time, I love The Shangri-Las. It’s funny that this music is called ‘Oldies’, because everyone that listens to it is young.
Having grown up in the public eye, how has this affected how you see celebrity culture?
If everyone only knew how full of shit celebrity culture is and what a pissing contest it is. One minute you are on top, then everyone hates you. It’s the definition of smoke and mirrors.
You’ve kind of self-proclaimed yourself as opinionated before – has being outspoken helped or hindered you in terms of what you want to do or be seen as?
Of course it does, because people do not like people with opinions. However, if I’m wrong, I will promptly admit it.
sleeveless coat TOPSHOP turtleneck WOLFORD via ZALANDO
How is it been living in the US compared to London?
It’s like night and day, it’s two completely different cultures. However, I love being lucky enough to live in both. LA is like a dream, but London is my home. And as they say, home is where the heart is. As much as I love living in America, I’ve never really felt like I fit in because I’m just too English. And in England I’m not considered opinionated, I’m considered normal!
Do you go out a lot? What’s your favourite places to party in London?
I find the word ‘partying’ to be really obnoxious and slightly 90s. My favourite place is hanging out with my friends in their kitchens! We call it Club Kitchen. We bring a karaoke machine or a game of Twister or Citizens of Humanity and hang out together being stupid without fear of people taking a picture in a moment that can turn into something it’s not or look misleading.
What was the most memorable/best night out recently?
Recently I went to Kelly Cutrone’s birthday dinner. I lost my shoes and ended up having to go home in someone white clogs. We had so much fun and I laughed so much I pissed myself and ended up having to go home in someone’s clothes and shoes!
You’ve just been announced as a judge for Australia’s Got Talent too – what are you most looking forward to about this?
Absolutely everything. I mean what an incredible experience to not only be a judge but to live in Australia and be embraced by a country that I’m not from is such an honour. I cannot wait to see what Australia’s talent has to offer, I think I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
You and your family are very close, do you get to spend much time with them now?
Not whilst I’m travelling, but my parents live up the road from me. I speak to my dad at least once a day, and my mum fifty times a day. We may seem crazy to others but our family values are very important to us, at the end of the day family is all you have.
coat PORTS 1961 t-shirt SCOUT – LOS ANGELES trousers DEYK via ZALANDO
Text Flora Yin-Wong
header image: jacket LEVI’S via ZALANDO, silk blouse Vintage COMMES DES GARCONS
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