FASHION
The right Angell:
Designer inspired
by Stevie Nicks
BY ANDREW DAVIS
Singer Stevie Nicks has inspired many people in the LGBT community—but probably none more so than suburban designer Joshua-Paul Angell. The affable Angell, 30, talked with Windy City Times about his connection with Nicks and designer Isaac Mizrahi; his background; and the best and worst aspects of his career.
Windy City Times: How did you come to be interested in fashion? How did you discover you have a knack for it?
Joshua-Paul Angell: You know, I have no formal training whatsoever, but I’ve been interested in fashion for years and years and years. I’ve always sketched dresses, blouses, what have you.
Last March, I was working in retail at Fannie Mae as a manager. The district manager said a few things to me that I didn’t like; I gave my keys to the assistant manager, jumped in the car, and Stevie Nicks was singing “Gypsy”—and Stevie is my muse. It inspired me to do what I want to do with my life.
Since then, I’ve gotten a home studio, and started selling at flea markets with basic T-shirts. I started with tie-dye and it evolved into a chemical infusion; I use chemical processes to alter fabrics. I’ve worked with a few designers and a fashion photographer; since then, it’s just come out of me. Nothing comes out of me unless I have Stevie on, though; I’ve tried other singers but it doesn’t work. Also, I design things that I feel Stevie would wear.
WCT: So no Britney, no Rihanna … nothing?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Nothing. Something with all of her music just speaks to me. I did a dress recently and I titled it “Rooms on Fire” because that’s one of her songs. You can almost tell what I listened to by the [item].
WCT: Isaac Mizrahi actually pointed me in your direction. How did you two meet?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I watched the documentary Unzipped, and was completely fascinated with him. I looked him up on MySpace, and sent a few messages. I think we have a mutual fascination with what [the other] is doing, and that’s been really inspirational for me. He sees something in me that a lot of other people have not seen in me.
He’s got so much going on right now, like Target and the fashion show on Bravo; it’s really been a source of inspiration for me. For a long time, though, I didn’t really think it was him. But he’s out, proud and very personable. He created a Facebook page solely to help other people along. We go back and forth all the time. I’ve never seen him in person; it is kind of surreal to have someone of his stature noticing you.
He said to me that a lot of designers come up with concepts and other people sew things for them. I buy a lot of vintage stuff (’70s or ’80s) ; either cut it apart or keep it like it is; and use chemical processing to create something that’s couture because you can’t find it anywhere else.
WCT: So that’s the definition of couture?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Couture has two definitions. One is “something that’s created by hand.” The other is “something that cannot be re-created”—which is what I do: the Americanized version of couture. It’s not like Juicy Couture; that’s mass-produced.
WCT: And your items are available out in the burbs, correct?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Yes; I do a lot of shows out here. I’ll do anything to get noticed. I was even a judge for Miss Teen Chicago, and met someone there who produces shows. She wants to fly me to St. Louis, and produce my first show.
Even my 10-year-old cousin has sold for me. She wears my items and says at her school, “You can’t buy it because it’s designer.” But she actually makes clothes for her Barbie; she’s like a prodigy.
[Incidentally,] I think my clothes are perfect for the LGBT community. I want to be like [singer] Melissa Etheridge, who says, “Screw what people think. I want to produce the kind of music that my type of people will listen to.”
WCT: And you have items for men and women?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Oh, yes. I have shirts, and I do jeans and scarves. Scarves for men are really popular right now.
WCT: Would you ever compete on a show like Project Runway?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I would love to. There are a lot of designers on there who don’t sew. My aunt is teaching me, although I’m not at the point where I can drape the fabric and stuff like that. My family does a lot of things; my mother makes jewelry.
WCT: What designers do you admire?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Definitely Isaac Mizrahi. For a while I was fascinated with Michael Kors, but I’m starting to see that he’s very consistent from one season to the next. But I see someone like Betsey Johnson, who is always very edgy and who designs what she feels.
WCT: I do like Mizrahi, but also Gaultier and D&G.
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I love items that women and men can wear. I love the androgyny of stuff. I like it when anybody can feel comfortable putting something on.
WCT: What are the best and worst parts of your career?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: I would say the best part is designing something new—a new look, a new edge. The worst part is when you hear comments from people who don’t like what I do: “It’s too colorful” or “It’s too out-there” or “Why do you tie-dye?” They don’t understand that they came up with this chemical process 4,000 years ago in India to make fabrics beautiful.
WCT: What’s the difference between fashion and style?
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Fashion, to me, is almost a mass-produced look, like Michael Kors. Style is being able to go into a thrift store, pick something out and look good in it [as well as] feel confident.
WCT: You mentioned Stevie previously—and now I have “Stand Back” playing in my head.
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Oh, yeah. I listen to that on a daily basis. My partner says that I’m obsessed; I’ve been listening to her since ’96—my junior year in high school. She’s always inspired me. She’s a powerful woman who accepts everyone out there.
My partner has stuck with me. [We’ve been together] for 10 years and I can’t trade him. I have to stick with him. [Both laugh.]
WCT: Plus you have to keep him because the Cash for Clunkers program is over.
JOSHUA-PAUL ANGELL: Exactly.
See www.DesignerTieDye.com.