Designer Genes Sotto on politics of style

January 2007

FASHION DESIGNER
GENES SOTTO
On The Politics Of Style

By Leah Jayasanker

Given a textbook definition of style, its true meaning varies from place to place. While folks in LA might be using shorts and tees, the women in New York City are sporting oversized-tops with leggings. With trends, like the rebirth of the eighties, who is more likely to garb themselves in the so-called latest look? From insight via fashion-forward experts in the western, eastern and southern parts of the U.S., Vis.A.Vis uncovers how culture, society and weather play a role in how we dress.

West Meets East
A well-versed authority to explain the politics of style is fashion designer and California native, Genes Sotto. Having worked on the West coast and later in New York City, Sotto conceptualizes the obvious contrasts in style from the Big Apple to Tinseltown. As a graphic designer by trade, he notes, “Being into visual communication, I’ve got the extra sense of how a woman looks and feels a certain way. Trends come from everyday communication in our environment--a simple top can be all the rage based on how someone wears it--and this visual pop steam rolls into a huge trend.” Sotto explains that a combination of weather, society and culture influences style. “With weather out West, it's fun in the sun, and it is never too cold from day-to-night for the same outfit. I grew up wearing t-shirts and jeans all the time. It’s the shorts, light t-shirts, laid-back beach lifestyle.” Culturally Sotto comments, “There is a great deal of Asian and Pacific influence. Even in my current line, the Pacific Collection, it is light and airy with clean lines, with an Asian influence constructed using a Japanese style.”

What differs in New York City, according to Sotto, are the ever-turning fashions and seasons. “There is more opportunity to dress and be fashion conscious. People have four seasons, a rich history, the opportunity to make it as a designer and the freedom to experiment with their designs on the street. Also there’s a spark for innovation–people are looking for the next best thing, it’s a melting pot for ideas.” But that's not to say fashionistas on different coast never see eye-to-eye. “Folks out west are definitely buying into the layered looks, they are aware it's driven in New York–that touch of the eighties making its way out west.”

Nashville: Southern Style
Former runway model and founder/ president of Elizabeth Scokin Productions, entrepreneur Elizabeth Scokin is the go-to woman for southern style in Nashville, Tennessee. Her newly launched Web site FashionNashville.com was recently named the “Fashion Bible of the South” by Hampton’s Magazine, and friends refer to her as “a touch of glamorous with a dash of oh-la la.”

Scokin explains that southern states, Alabama, Mississippi, the Carolinas and Kentucky (excluding Florida) have four seasons where people dress accordingly. She claims, “In Nashville women use fall colors with lighter fabrics and have a stylish ease that is very chic.” According to Scokin a major influence on how people dress and act is culturally based. “Women carry themselves with a grace they inherit from being brought up like a woman; in every sense of the word. Manners, dressing and teaching their children; they teach by example.” She continues, “Most of the women who use jewelry here wear gob-stopper jewels; family heirlooms that have been passed down from several generations. Here we are taught to be proud of our appearance and have a respect for others and ourselves through dressing. It’s an old-world elegance with a modern day twist, and luxury is key both in the home and in appearance.”

What Differs from People out West?
Scokin explains that New York City is influential in how Nashville women dress. “Women here admire the glamour of New York and exhibit an eastern sensibility, whereas in Memphis, they dress more conservative. And in Dallas in 95 degrees in September, you’ll see women heading to a fashion show at Neiman Marcus dressed in their wools.” As for current-day trends, Scokin says, “The slim-line tailoring and short-fitted jackets are very in.”

What differs out west she adds, “LA is emulating Nashville--plenty of movie stars are buying homes here so they carry over our style. It’s a laid back look, with jeans, tees and boots that seems effortless but really is not.” She finishes, “Women here are well-kept (styled hair, makeup) and do not emphasize being ‘tweaked’ (restylane, botox). It’s about real beauty that is subtle and easy, yet luxurious–-in LA it is more common to see plastic work.”

Even though style varies from city to city, with some more conservative than others, most of the nation follows the same trends. Perhaps New York City takes fashion to an extreme that folks in LA or Nashville may not, yet, isn’t style truly in the eye of the beholder and an expression of who you are? Take a little time to express your own style.