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I have said it before and I'll say it again, the best designers on Project Runway this season are from Los Angeles. In my holiday wish, I see Rami Kashou, Sweet P, and Kit Pistol in the final three and visions of their collections on the runway in the finale.
Christina Scarbo A.K.A. Kit Pistol created her alias during her time studying and working in Italy. You can find her designs at Jack Henry Couture alongside pieces by Vivienne Westwood and Rami Kashou. She says Kit Pistol "reflects a continual inspiration from art, travel, world affairs, textiles, and a deeply rooted passion for self- expression." LAist talked with Kit about her love for LA, living in Florence, and grocery stores in Little Tokyo
LAist: Several of the Project Runway designers are from Los Angeles. You work here as a freelance designer and wardrobe stylist. Why did you choose to work in LA?
Kit Pistol: I am an LA native so after college I sort of just ended up back where I started.. with intentions to move to New York actually.. but turns out LA hugged me back and I never left! Through networking, I ended up getting frequent work in the entertainment industry styling, while also still finding time to do my design work. I found a great balance here. Not to mention the great weather, my neighborhood, and the variety of the different cities within LA make work and life really interesting. I mean... I have a Dodgers tattoo... I work here cause I love LA!
Kit Pistol in The Project Runway workroom
You studied at the Polimoda Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing in Florence and worked as a trend analyst for the Mauro Taliani Design Studio. How does the time you spent in Italy influence your work?
My two years in Italy really influenced my design aesthetic and myself as a person. My technical and creative training in Italy definitely pushed my design sensibilities. My teachers there put such a huge emphasis on concept development and originality in design. The Italian culture has almost an exhibitionist sense of fashion and a boldness-which I LOVE. I think this only encouraged my obsession of designing for those who love getting dressed everyday and feeling amazing. Also, the Italian cities themselves are so beautiful and full of art history and architecture. Inspiration through art and life first to create fashion is something I had always believed in before, and my experience there really nurtured that.
What is your signature style?
My style is playful in an appealingly bold way. It is definitely a bit coquettish but tough... street and high fashion combined. Oh and I almost always wear a bow in my hair, it completes my vibe and makes me happy!
If you could design a dress for anyone in the world, who would you choose?
It'd be rad to make a lavish artistic garment for Bjork.
You cite Viktor & Rolf as an influence in your work. Theirs shows often feature extremely elaborate performances elements like the eight layered dress and coat displayed at MOCA in the Skin and Bones exhibit. Your show for Gen Art New Guarde was staged on a neon playground. Do you prefer highly theatrical runway presentations?
I definitely prefer theatrical runway presentations, or when bold statements either visually/conceptually are being made. I believe this allows the show to have a fuller impact on the audience and helps incorporate the designer's influences. I like to be brought into the artistic mind of the designer, or the world they are creating for that collection. I like when fashion is more cerebral than just a pretty dress.
What is the most fun part of working as a designer?
Especially since I make custom pieces, I love seeing the garment on the client when they put it on for the first time. Their excitement is always so fulfilling!
You style Samantha Harris for Dancing With the Stars? How did you originally start working with her? Would you ever want to design the dance costumes for that show?
I met Samantha through Tia Browsh, who owns the store Jack Henry Couture, where I was working at the time. I began working with Samantha at E! Entertainment for E! News. I have styled her at E! for almost three years now, dressing her for the News and also for the red carpet award shows. Working on DWS for the last few seasons, I think I know more about dance costumes then I ever expected! With all that sparkling knowledge, I don't think it is in my repertoire.
What inspired you to want to be on Project Runway?
My experience with GenArt inspired me to audition for on project runway. That was the first time I had a chance to show a large audience my work and since then I have wanted to be able to broaden my horizons as a designer.
Our friends at Blogging Project Runway want to know what is the most valuable advice that you received from Tim Gunn?
To go with my instinct, and also that more is not more... rats! Too bad!
Tim Gunn and Kit Pistol
You have a tattoo of your grandmother's name on your arm. What does she think of it?
She loves it! I always wanted it but I didn't want it to be commemorative. I wanted her to see it. When I first showed her the tattoo we both started crying. Kinda cute right? My grandma and I have always had a special bond. Everyone else in my conservative family is anti-tattoos, but my grandma considers them beautiful ("you are just mad its not your name"- she defends to my mother). She is very proud of it and tells people about it all the time!
You talk about your designs having an "aesthetic of serious fantasy".
Kit Pistol is really about a particular outlook on dressing and wanting the empowerment of avante-guarde looks in daily life. Making everyday life necessitate intriguing clothing without wearing a costume or being associated with burning man. So far this has been achievable through private clients and custom clothing.
A few questions about LA:
Favorite restaurant?
Café Marley on Melrose, Flore in Sunset Junction.
Favorite place for drinks?
The Red Lion.
Favorite place to see art?
At the MOCA Geffen and then I go to the little Tokyo grocery store!
Kit and Christian
Sweet P and Kit Pistol
You can root for Kit, Rami, and Sweet P (or gasp a designer from somewhere else!!) on Wednesday nights at 10pm on Bravo.
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Great interview!