From Bombay to the City of Angels, the orchestra musician, runway model, modern Audrey Hepburn incarnate Teji Kapadia breaks down L.A. Street Fashion like a pro.
What is L.A. street fashion to you?
Throwing together bright colors with the typical black. Dealing with the heat in fashion. A classy sexy. Layered clothing, creatively toped with equally creative accessories. Dressing with a mixture of thrift store and the biggest brands your money can buy. That’s the beauty of L.A., no one reps that they don’t wear their brands to make them look street. It’s accepted. L.A. fashion is very accepting
What pops out to you as a global trend that started in L.A.?
I’d have to say the amazing accessories. The bright Nike SB’s mixed with the preppy polos, or the beaters topped with a scarf and a chain that seems perfect for the outfit. The way L.A. cats accessorize has to be my favorite. They don’t seem scared to try new things or branch out. The low V-necks that fall off the girl’s shoulders seems to be the latest big L.A. trend, clothing wise from what I’m seeing though.
How has this city changed your style?
This city shaped my style. This city is the reason I wear what I wear with confidence. The bold colors that have always been a part of L.A. fashion follow me. Look at 90’s Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, DKNY clothing, even L.A. Gear if you want to get funky. But in the same breath, I’d have to say the classiness of all the concerts and museums and you-don’t-have-to-show-your-body-to-be-sexy scene was something I learned at a young age. I don’t live in L.A. anymore, and every time I come back I love that I can slip into my favorite pair of red high heels or my dirty old Reefs and still look fashionably fit for L.A.
What are you tired of seeing people wear?
Embarrassingly, I’m that girl that often looks at people and questions their attire, and you’d think because of this I’m extremely fashionable but sadly, I’m not I just don’t understand why black bras under white beaters are a good choice? Or Black shirts with a demoralizing outline of a girl with the letters ‘SRH’ or ‘SoCal’ matched with the long shorts that cover half the calf, only an inch away from their almost matching logo-ed socks. Or girls fill the need to show their EVERYTHING to EVERYONE, all the time? Shirts are not dresses! Or why people are too Lazy to accessorize by themselves, and instead buy clothing with accessorizes painted, or sewn on them? And the whole, ‘I’m a walking billboard for my favorite company. I paid $100 for this shirt that says JUICY COUTURE across my chest, don’t you love it?’ L.A. has a lot of bomb fashion, but people have to remember, this city is one of the best when it comes to experimenting, why is everyone trying to look like someone? Be yourselves you’re from L.A., you’ve got this.
What’s something you see happening in the future of L.A. fashion?
Since fall is around the corner, I feel like a lot of these brightly colored threads that L.A. is donning right now, will be put transferred to winter clothing. Saying bye to the typical black pea-coat, and hello to the yellow raincoat. Last year’s excitement of colorful goulashes may make their way into the apparel with stores like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters being the big influences on today’s fashion we may have a colorful fall and winter. As far as the future, I think L.A. cats are getting away from just wearing clothing cause of it’s tag but because it looks good, feels good, makes them feel good. I mean hell, going to the grocery store is gonna start being a mini-fashion show out here! Haha
What do you wear on a daily basis?
Something soft. I have this really weird attraction to soft things; denim, shirts, undergarments, pillow cases other then that, I try to make sure I have a balance of fitted and relaxed. Catch me at my local coffee shop or any casual activities; you’ll see me in a big shirt and tight jeans, or even small shorts. Some days I bust out my relaxed denim and wear my tight shirts that prove I’m a girl! Ha I always have my watch on my right, and my bracelets usually are changing daily on my left. I try to wear stuff other people give me, it reminds them of me when they’re not near. Two rings, one makes me feel naked. My stud metal earrings I stole from my mom, and my little white Indian sandals that are completely worn down topped off with a HUGE green quilted purse.
Does your work as a musician and artist influence your style? How?
Being a musician for 13 years has influenced my style for sure. Long earrings were always off limits with the harp, long or painted nails were a double negative with my harp and piano. High heels for all of those, so my day-to-day practicing made me stick to flats most days. Higher cut, more conservative clothing for my percussion days all of these things tend to still influence me, even though I’m ‘retired’. I’m having fun branching out now; there are no limits anymore for me anymore regarding fashion!
How has modeling shaped your fashion sense?
Modeling is funny. You see these extravagant clothes on the hanger with your name on it, ones that you’d think nobody would ever wear, and the designers throw them on you, and they look totally street ready, yet gorgeous. Modeling has helped me realize, it’s not ridiculous to wear my ‘nice’ clothing, or my previously mentioned high heels, everyday. Mixing something gorgeous with some leggings and an undershirt I bought at Target are all things that I have tried because of modeling. The weird thing about being part of the fashion world is that it’s not just the designers; it’s the other models around me, the assistants. I used to love seeing models walking around in HUGE draping sleeveless shirts with a nice little white spaghetti strap under, and over a cute pair of cut off shorts, but still looking flawless. I think that’s the fashion I wear most these days, and I still have my model-friends and co-workers to thank!
From where or from whom do you get inspiration for your style?
My mom. For sure, my mom. She’s from the coolest places! Bombay, Manhattan, Los Angeles! Her closet, in the past 2 years, has become my favorite place to shop. Her jewelry is amazing! She is my inspiration. When I see my mom in her everyday, she looks beautiful. She never dulls her fashion down cause of where she is, she wears what she want to wear. My mom has taught me it is always better to be overdressed, then undressed. She is the classiest woman I know and it shows in her appearance. The style tips I’ve learned from her are amazing! Also, her mix of American and Indian clothes looks cultured but not FOB-ish, which I appreciate! I’d also have to thank some friends they add the funk to my closet! And the big almost tacky, yet awesome jewelry to my closet.
What is the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?
Dress for yourself. Wear something that compliments YOUR body, not because it looks good on your best friend. That is definitely something I try to follow everyday. And sexy doesn’t mean slutty
Hottest L.A. outfit of the summer?
These thin shirts that are actually Indian pajama shirts. They catch the breeze amazingly. Over brightly colored small shorts. Those are new for me short, shorts! I love them now; yellow, red, pink, striped, black, denim! Haha they just go with my big shirts. But that and my wavy hair, and worn down white sandals! My favoooorite. I want to try to get into the summer trend of sundresses; I’m working on that currently!
Give me your top shopping spots in L.A.
My mom’s closet! Oh, that doesn’t count?
Random thrift stores all around L.A., I try to support ones that give money to charity
Surprisingly GAP, they have some clean cut threads!
And most of the stores lining Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, and the little stores tucked away in those areas.
Thanks, Teji!
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1 Mike W // Jul 31, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I know that girl! lol.
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