Lauren Conrad Interview - LA Weekly

Do you have any favorite items in your closet right now? Like classic or trendy? Things that I've always loved, or something that I just really love right now?

Either.

Oh, I just got a new pair of suede Louboutin heels in brown. I normally go black for heels. And it's got that chunky heel? I like it for a fall shoe. That's my new favorite right now.

Do you have any fashion guilty pleasures?

I do love my shoes and bags, but I do tend to sway towards more classic investment pieces, so its not like I buy them every day. I'd probably say Urban Outfitters tees, because I'm buying them every week. They're always a little cooler there. I'm trying to update my gym wardrobe. Most of my off days I'm in gym clothes.

Are those the tees with the funny sayings on them?

Um, I got a couple of them in different colors. A couple say "Merci Beaucoup." (Giggles.) I got them because they were cute.

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

I just recently cleaned out half. I was going for quality over quantity. I'm gonna guess around 60.

What's the most you've ever spent on an item of clothing?

I bought a Cavalli gown. That was very expensive. It was funny because I bought it in Vegas. I was so excited I refused to pack it in my checked luggage. So I carried it on the plane. I got to LAX and I looked down and realized I had left it in the restaurant.

Oh my god.

And I was like, you gotta be kidding me. I freaked out, and we were calling the security of the airport for two days. And they ended up finding it.

Wow.

I know. Someone's got very good karma for turning it in.

What did it look like?

I wore it to either a premiere or finale of The Hills that we did on the beach. It was cream and had a large orange-colored flower on the side. Floor length. It was simple, but I liked it.

Do you have a favorite date outfit?

I think it depends on where you're going. My dates are more casual now that my boyfriend's done wooing me. So, I'm more of a jeans and sweater girl now. For first dates I think that you want to put in the effort but you don't want to look like you're trying too hard. So. I think it's nice to mix high and low. So if you're wearing a nice bottom, wear a casual top or vice versa. If you're wearing a nicer dress, maybe throw an oversize blazer or a cardigan over it. So you still look relaxed, but nice.

Do you have a favorite fashion era?

Oh yes. The 1920's.

What do you like about it?

Everything. I love the silhouette. Head to toe, I'm obsessed with the 1920's. It was so glamorous. I love the detailing that went into pieces. It was all so amazing. It was a straighter longer silhouette, a lot of beading. The hair was always bobbed or tightly curled and they had the really dark, smoky eyes. And the jewelry was really pretty as well, the Art Deco-y jewelry.

Have you ever had bobbed hair?

I did for about a week. I cut off all my hair. I hated it and ended up putting extensions in, instead of letting it grow out.

Have you ever seen anyone out in town wearing the clothes you designed?

Yeah, I just did a signing last night and saw lots of girls in Kohl's pieces.

What was it like to see that?

It's such a compliment. You work really hard on something you believe in. It's really nice when someone likes them enough to wear them.


Is there anything you won't wear because you feel it doesn't look good on you or you just don't like?

Lots of things. I almost exclusively wear skinny jeans. I'm terrified of any other cut of denim. Oh, I won't wear a kitten heel either. They're awful. I hate kitten heels. They're so silly to me. They're so close to a flat. There's no point. You're only getting an inch of height. A flat is so much more modern.

What is the best thing about being a celebrity?

The best thing is you are provided with a voice. You feel heard. You can use it in a positive way.

What's the worst?

The lack of privacy.

If you were trapped on a desert island and could only bring one book, what would it be?

The Great Gatsby. It's my favorite book. It was the first book I can remember ever really enjoying. I'm not really a big reader. I was a freshman in high school. It kind of changed my view on books.


Lauren Conrad signs her books at Barnes and Noble, The Grove, 7 p.m., Friday Oct. 8.