Interview with George Kotsiopoulos for Gap Factory

Interview with George Kotsiopoulos for Gap Factory

George Kotsiopolous, Ellen FlowersOne of my favorite aspects of being a Dallas fashion blogger is all of the wonderful people I get to meet in the industry! This past weekend, I was given the opportunity to interview one of my favorite TV hosts, George Kotsiopoulos, from E Fashion Police. George has partnered with Gap Factory this year to host fashion shows and styling events to help showcase all of the trendy clothes, as well as to help shoppers understand that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look chic. Courtney Kerr co-hosted the fashion show with George at the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, which of course this duo led to ultimate entertainment! I had so much fun at the event and definitely found a lot of affordable pieces I need to add to my closet. Check out my interview with the fabulous George below:

So how long have you been working with Gap Factory?

Has it been a year? Yes, I think about a year now!

I love that you have partnered with the factory store. One of our favorite things to do is to show our readers how they can look fabulous, without breaking the bank.

I think a lot of people think factory stores are just castoffs from stores, but it’s not. It’s a completely different collection made exclusively for the factory store. It’s the same great quality, it’s just at a lower price. The jeans are great, and jeans can be tricky! I love the jeans. The white distressed ones are my favorite!

 So tell us about this fashion show. Have y’all been to a lot of cities?

The collection is Summer and Fall. It’s mostly Fall actually. We were in DC, Jersey, and next we are heading to Houston and Chicago

I saw that you recently wrote a book! Tell me about that:

My book, Glamorous by George, is all about how to get to the movie star style on a regular gal’s budget. It’s just all about incorporating glamour into every element of your life, not just fashion, but there’s also hair and makeup. and entertaining and etiquette. I also talked about lighting, Lighting is very, very important. Lighting, packaging and presentation- It’s really all about presentation. It’s really not that hard, just put some lipstick on, like you did! I think it’s really all about just putting a little bit of effort in towards anything. Even on Fashion Police we can rag on people for dressing crazy, but ultimately it’s like, yes it may not be the most flattering choice on them, but at least they tried! If someone tries, I can’t fault them too badly. I mean, I can fault them for lacking refined taste, but you tried and put a nice little dress on. I appreciate that.

How long have you been on E Fashion Police? I love watching that show!

It will be four years in… Actually this month! This month is four years.

Congratulations!

Thank you, it’s so crazy. It feels like… well it kind of feels like four years haha! And not in a bad way. It’s just, you know, I started out different than I am now.

How did you end up in LA from Chicago?
Well I moved to LA in 1990, and I started working in fashion. The TV thing just kind of happened. I didn’t move to LA to be an actor- that was not my goal. Shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” were on, and I kept thinking “what are they talking about?”, so every TV opportunity I could take on, I did. And I thought there was another voice that needed to be heard. I just thought there were so many stereotypes of what a gay man in fashion was or what a gay man is, so I just thought I’m not that and I thought there was a different voice that needed to be heard. People would always say about me, “Are you sure he works in fashion, he’s not flamboyant enough?” because I wasn’t wearing all pink and throwing my hands up in the air saying “girrrl”, which I can do because that’s fun, but that’s just not me. I think that happens with any group of people, getting stereotyped.

Lastly, we hope you are enjoying Dallas! Did y’all do anything fun last night in the city?

No, we got in too late. I mean, I wanted to go out but thought nooo, I’m going to be responsible. I went to the Round Up last time I was here.

Oh the Round Up is so fun! Did you do any of the dances?

I tried, I can’t do any of that choreographed dance stuff. I mean, I try but then I just mess everyone else up. Like if I take any classes where they have any of those routines… I’m more of a free spirit! I like to free style! If you tell me how to do a move, I’m just like well… You move too fast, I gotta go!

Well I had so much fun getting to sit down and talk to you today about everything. Hopefully you will be back sometime again soon in Dallas!

I’m sure I will!

Gap event champagne Ellen Flowers, Kelly Barnes George Kotsiopolous, Courtney Kerr Gap event fashion show Gap Factory event grand prarie Gap factory fashion show dallas George Kotsiopolous, Courtney Kerr Gap Event

Visit The Gap to shop the collection

Get My Look: 

Romper (similar) // Horn Earrings // Statement Necklace // YSL Handbag

Photography by: Kaitlynn McConville | Edited by: The Perennial Style

J. Crew Mercantile

J. Crew Mercantile

J crew mercantile store launch

via

Are you a lover of J. Crew but sometimes hate the prices that seem to keep rising with each season? Well, you are not alone, and J. Crew is taking your needs into account! Behold, J. Crew Mercantile: the offspring of our favorite line which is in the works to bring a similar style to shoppers, but with a price point more along the lines of the J. Crew Factory Stores. What differentiates Mercantile from our favorite factory stores is the fact that these new stores will be situated in some of our favorite malls around the nation, rather than having to drive out of the city to scout out the outlet malls. Millard Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, once introduced Old Navy as a more affordable line of Gap, so we can only hope Mercantile will launch with that same success! With already a few leases signed and more locations in the works, we cannot wait to see what Mercantile will bring for all of our savvy shoppers!

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Watercolor Showers

Watercolor Showers

Spring showers are never a surprise over Easter weekend at the beach. Though one would think rainy days aren’t ideal for a coastal weekend, I find it to be refreshing and peaceful when I am home! This navy blue trench (try this, this, this, or this) was the perfect coat to toss on for an afternoon of shopping in Watercolor. I love how the gold buttons and the cinched waist give a feminine look to a classic raincoat. See how I wore mine:

rain jacket florida seaside navy navy rain jacket rain jacket rain jacket judith ripka turquoise necklace watercolor rain jacket watercolor florida tory burch sandals rainy day tory burch sandals rain jacket seaside rain jacket
Get the Look:
Navy Raincoat (similar: this, this, name, or this) // J Crew Sweater (cashmere version) //Joe’s Shorts // Tory Burch Sandals // Louis Vuitton Handbag // Tory Burch Earrings // Judith Ripka Ring // Turquoise Necklace

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Lucky FABB: Networking Brunch

Lucky FABB: Networking Brunch

The Lucky FABB Conference ended with a lovely networking brunch with all of our new fashion blogger friends at the SLS Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday morning. We had so much fun meeting all the girls and cannot wait until we can attend our next conference! We each received an AMAZING goodie bag stocked with products and accessories from all of the sponsors, and we are loving all of our new goodies!! Take a look at our pictures from the event and be sure to check out The Perennial Style Facebook page for the full album coming soon.

LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg
We had so much fun meeting the stylish Nisha of  The FashioNisha
LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpeg LUCKY FABB Networking Brunch.jpegWe were so excited to find a fellow Bama girl at the conference! Meet Lauren of ’91 Luxe
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One lucky winner walked away with this beautiful Saint Laurent handbag from Style Tag!
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One of our amazing goodie bags from the brunch!

Get the Look:

Ellen: Pink JOA Top // Pink JOA Shorts // Cork Wedges (similar: thesethese, or these) //  Kate Spade Earrings (similar) // YSL Handbag // Round Sunglasses // Fuchsia Lipstick // Judith Ripka Ring // Hermes Bracelet // Brunello Cucinelli Bracelet // David Yurman Bracelets // Gold Cuff Bracelet

Blair: Lilly Pulitzer Top // Gap Boyfriend Jeans // Lilly Pulitzer Necklace // Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals // Kendra Scott Earrings // Hermes Bangle // Rolex Watch // Persol Sunglasses // Ivanka Trump Handbag (similar) // David Yurman Bracelets // Gold Cuff Bracelet

Janie: Striped Boxy Top (similar: this or this) // Striped Skirt (similar: this or this) // Lela Rose Necklace (similar) // Tory Burch Earrings // Christian Louboutin Slingbacks // Judith Ripka Ring // Ray Ban Aviators // Brunello Cucinelli Bracelet // David Yurman Bracelets

Boxy Tops

Boxy Tops

I’ve always heard you should never wear white before Easter, but that rule is just a little too old fashioned for me! There’s nothing I love more than a fresh pair of white jeans in the Spring, and since I’m not a huge fan of skinnys, these J Brand flares are perfect for me. I paired them with this new Ella Moss boxy top I snagged recently, and I am loving the contrast of feminine eyelet with rugged chambray. Be sure to keep an eye out for boxy tops this season, as the structured shape gives a polished look with minimal effort – try this, this, this, or this. I finished off the look with my new favorite necklace (also seen here), which I can’t seem to take off!

Ella Moss Chambray Tessa Eyelet Top Ellen Flowers Ella Moss Chambray Eyelet Tessa Ellen Flowers Ella MossEllen_Flowers DallasElla Moss Eyelet Chambray Top Tessa Ella Moss Tessa Eyelet Top Ellen Flowers Ella Moss DallasElla Moss Ellen Flowers Chambray Top Ellen Flowers Ella Moss Eyelet Top
Ella Moss Eyelet Top // J Brand Flares // Gap Tank // Express Necklace // Cork Wedges // Ivanka Trump Bag // Rolex Watch (look for less) // Hermes Bracelet // Brunello Cucinelli Bracelet // Hidalgo Ring // Vintage Aviators (similar) // Elephant Earrings // Essie Polish // Fuschia Lipstick

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