Interview: Kelly Cutrone on People's Revolution, fashion, power bitches
By PFortunato, 2009-04-01 00:47:45 -0700.
After messaging Kelly Cutrone on Facebook, Stefanie Skinner, assistant to the fashion entrepreneur herself, emailed me and set up an interview time. I then composed several brief, socially conscious questions I believed to be important to students at Rowan University and aspiring fashion people reading The Whit and received a phone number, a scheduled time and a slot with an extremely busy, brilliantly-skilled, talented fashionista who was in the airport on her way to Paris.
It was Tuesday, March 3rd. 8:15pm sharp: I called Kelly Cutrone's cell phone and began an intelligent, insightful interview. Turns out she's a straightforward sweetheart with an innovative, audacious message for aspiring fashion and PR people everywhere.
Age: 41
Occupation: People's Revolution founder - PR company
Location: New York, Los Angeles, Paris
Patricia Fortunato: What inspired you to begin People’s Revolution?
Kelly Cutrone: I was working in the music business, then took a couple of years off to study Zen meditation, got a record deal, and then decided to start my own boutique PR firm. No matter how much I wanted to get out of PR, I just couldn’t. I love it – and so I began People’s Revolution.
Photo: MySpace
PF: Can you tell me a little about your company’s message?
KC: People’s Revolution takes a lot of hard work. Things don’t happen overnight. It is about co-designing, and a creative, intricate partnership. It is about being a brand.
PF: What was your favorite show last month at New York Fashion Week?
KC: Honestly, I loved them all.
PF: What is your favorite magazine, and why?
KC: Purple Magazine because Olivier Zahm pushes borders between art and image while maintaining a high level of aesthetic.
Photo: Wire Image
PF: What qualities do you look for in an intern?
KC: Humility, hard work, and honesty; the three H’s.
PF: The fashion industry is constantly evolving, just like society. Are there any changes you would like to see within the industry?
KC: Fashion is an art form. Be open to include all forms. Often, fashion takes itself too seriously and is so meticulous. Fashion is a never-ending contradiction. It touches as many people as possible. There are no limits where people may come from.
PF: How is the economy affecting your company?
KC: Well, we’re still in business! We are in tough times, economically, but we are a part of the new not the old. We are diversifying. We represent many companies, from Planned Parenthood to Bluefly. We haven’t fired anyone, which I feel says a lot about People’s Revolution. We embrace the team, and the team gets paid on time. If a client is struggling, People’s Revolution may say, “We’ll represent you for free for three months”, or, at times, “We have to let you go…” Also, we are much more effective as publicists.
Photo: Bluefly
PF: Many people are ignorant to the high demands within the fashion industry, believing that it revolves around pretty clothes, pretty people and not much else. Your company goes beyond that. Please describe a typical day of work at People’s Revolution for you.
KC: My day starts at 7 a.m. I wake up and have breakfast with my daughter. I take her to school at 8:30 a.m. From 8:30-9:30/10 a.m., I meet with the team. At 10:45 a.m., I see who needs help. I take calls from New York and the West Coast all day. At 6 p.m., I deal with paperwork. At 9 p.m., I have client dinners, events, and more paperwork.
Photo: WWD
PF: Kelly, I admire how you always say how you really feel. It’s such an admirable quality in this industry. You never conform, you speak your mind, you work hard and you’ve always been brave enough to do what you want. I love you for that – we all love you for that.
KC: Thank you! You guys are the new power bitches. Speaking your mind and asking questions is important, and the best two things you can do in this industry. Set your sights sharply. It’s about building on skill sets. And always be honest.
