Stuff by Hilary Duff

This week, fashion editor Bernadette Morra discussed her interview with Hilary Duff, and the new Stuff by Hilary Duff collection. You can read the archived discussion below. Check out the photo gallery at www.thestar.com/fashion, then tell us what you think about Hilary's new designs at nakedlunch@thestar.ca. And join us again next week for Naked Lunch.

Who is Hilary's favourite designer?

I didn't ask her that question but probably should have. But I did ask her about everything she was wearing and I get the impression from that that she doesn't go for the really big labels. Everybody she mentionned - from James Perse, to her custom made jeans, to her amazing jewelry - are small, groovy, L.A. brands, not big household names. She knew the names of all the indie designers she was wearing and seems to really appreciate their creativity and craftsmanship. This is another thing that really impressed me about Hilary. It tells me that she has the confidence to wear whatever she wants. Hilary Duff is definitely not a fashion victim. And she wasn't trying to impress by name-dropping. Bernadette

Who else did Hilary have with her at your interview?

Hilary travels with her tour manager, a youngish man in a Led Zeppelin T-shirt and jeans who spent the whole hour and a half I was there on his phone, a Blackberry, and Troy, the big black guy you sometimes see in photos of her. I assumed he was her bodyguard but I think he does much more than that. I was told he used to be her voice coach and that now he is her "right hand." He was on the laptop answering emails, guarding Hilary's fabulous jewelry during her fashion magazine shoot, and taking pictures of her and the photo crew with Hilary's own little digital camera. I assume they are for her personal photo collection. She also travels with her mom, Susan, who was at a meeting while I was there so I didn't get to meet her. Bernadette

Do you know where Hilary got the necklace she wore to Muchmusic?

Yes, I asked her about it during our interview. It's lots of little matte silver crosses, skulls and fleur de lis on mesh, suspended by two black straps. The designer she mentionned is H. Lorenzo. She really seems to love jewelry. Hilary "translates" the jewelry she likes for an accessories that you can find at Claire's. Bernadette

Adelaide, below, makes a good point about Stuff in that it is not too young, but not too adult either. In fact, it's the first fashion collection I have seen that really interprets "adult" styles in a teen way. I found it very much like a younger version of Rock and Republic, the cool jeans brand. I also found it very different from the MaryKateandAshley brand which seemed more junior to me. I also think that Hilary is very different from Mary Kate and Ashley, and I think this really comes through in Stuff by Hilary Duff. Bernadette

I looked through the photo gallery and to be honest I liked 2 of the 4 outfits (the all black one and little jacket with the chain). I would like to see more colourful funky flower stuff and funkier jeans. I am glad Hilary has fashion for my age because I do not want to look like an adult and I do not want to look like my little sister either. Adelaide

Hi Adelaide, you'll be happy to know that there are some funkier jeans and flowery tops in the collection. Unfortunately the public relations company only gave us the four photos that you see in the gallery. But they also provided some sketches which showed lots of cool items. My favourite is a denim miniskirt with black leggings attached. I think Hilary was wearing a version of this when she went shopping on Bloor St. earlier this week. The photo we have in the newspaper shows the miniskirt. What you can't see is that she was wearing black leggings with it. Bernadette

What were your impressions of Hilary when you interviewed her?

I was so impressed by Hilary. When I arrived at the Park Hyatt Hotel just before 1 p.m., she was in the middle of a fashion shoot for a local magazine. She was dressed in a flashy white pantsuit and she looked amazing. She was standing on a backdrop, and was in that one spot in the position the photographer wanted her in for about half an hour while he, the art director, hairstylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist and photographer's assistant fussed about her, fixing her hair and makeup, changing the lighting, discussing how to improve the shot. She was very quiet, good-humoured and patient. She had one more outfit to shoot, then a bunch of interviews, then, finally she would have lunch. She had a long day ahead of her, including a Muchmusic appearance, a meet and greet with kids from some local charities, and then, finally, her performance. I asked one of her assistants if she would have any time for a rest in between. He said, "not much." Any one of those events - a fashion shoot, live TV, and a stage performance - takes a huge amount of energy. Hilary is clearly a very strong, healthy and driven young woman. Bernadette

Comments

[Hope Alayunt]

I love it because its about Hilary Ann Duff!!!!