Ilaria Urbinati
Ladies and gentlemen, our California takeover continues: last night we rang in the end of summer best coast style along with the fine folks of Confederacy, and quite frankly, we're still in recovery mode. Opened in 2008 by actor Danny Masterson and stylist Ilaria Urbinati, the 5,000 square foot art and fashion mecca in Silverlake served as the perfect backdrop for a decidedly Los Angeles crowd of sunkissed babes, scruffy surfer dudes, and a requisite helping of actors like Krysten Ritter and our host for the evening, Scott Caan. DJ Momjeans held it down on the ones and twos while guests mixed, mingled, shopped, and of course sipped their fair share of specially-crafted Kanon cocktails. Aside from the rocker-chic designer duds, partygoers were offered an additional hot ticket item: a signed surfboard to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to benefit THERAsurf, a surfing foundation created for kids with special needs.
We snuck Ilaria aside for a quick tête-à-tête to catch up on her busy work life, as well as snag a few recommendations for eating, drinking, and partying in the City of Angels. Without further ado, meet our newest FÖK, Ilaria Urbinati.
Kanon Vodka: First off, you have quite the resume. Between starting Confederacy, styling celebrities and even co-designing, can you pin down a few highlights?
Ilaria Urbinati: Opening the store with one of my best friends (Danny Masterson), designing the space and choosing the lines we would carry and then having it turn out exactly how we had anticipated was pretty life changing. And that first NY Fashion Week Danny came to was insane. To be honest, I usually sort of dread Fashion Week, but that one was epic. We had so much fun. Also, designing the suits with Albert Hammond Jr. for our private label was the best experience. Ryan Gosling wore them recently in his movie Crazy Stupid Love. That was pretty rad. It got some attention 'cause he looks so amazing. And we have had so many incredible art exhibits at the store – that has been really cool. We had Schnabel, Francis Bacon, Clemente, my husband's NY Times photo diary, and one of our faves was the street art show which sold out.
Styling wise, I've gotten to work with some pretty amazing people. My favorite part has always been watching some of my up and coming clients suddenly blow up. I have had a LOT of those; it's always exciting.
KV: We had so much fun at Confederacy's bash last night with TheraSurf. How did that collaboration come about?
IU: My little sister Alexandra is autistic, and one of THERAsurf's founders, famed surfer Jimmy Gamboa, has been taking her surfing for years. Surfing has been found to be incredibly therapeutic for autistic kids and other children with special needs. We watched it change her life, make her feel more physically capable, excited, and part of a community.
KV: Are you a surfer yourself?
IU: Ha, I wish. I'm like the least athletic person you'll ever meet.
KV: You work with a lot of your close friends (like Danny Masterson and The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr.). What's the best part about mixing business and pleasure?
IU: For me it's always been the only way I like to do things. Danny is the same way. I like collaborating – it makes work feel like play. Some of my styling clients have become some of my best friends through the years. When you are working together on something creative and fun, it creates a bond, especially if you like what you do.
KV: What does the Confederacy store playlist consist of?
IU: A lot of oldies, blues, and bluegrass mixed with lots of Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash – mixed with more current bands like Broken Bells, Black Lips, Edward Sharpe, the new Strokes album, etc. And you should hear our Christmas time mix! It drives my staff NUTS, but I love me some Christmas music!
KV: Do you have a styling philosophy when it comes putting together looks for your celebrity clients?
IU: With the guys, I always go iconic. I try to emulate Paul Newman, Alain Delon, James Dean, Brando, and Steve McQueen. Simple, rugged, masculine. Not too many bells and whistles. With girls it changes a lot more. I aim to make my girls feel like themselves but also help them step a bit out of their comfort zone – only if I really believe in it – and try and show different versions of themselves.
KV: What's been your favorite red carpet look that you've put together?
IU: That's like asking me which of my babies I like best. I love every look Bradley Cooper wore on his The A-Team tour. He always looks badass, but we were really on a roll there. I loved the Marc Jacobs resort dress Elle Fanning wore to the Venice Film Festival last year. The floral Dolce that put Ashley Greene on the fashion map. The nude Julien Macdonald Emmy Rossum wore to the Vegas New Years event. The navy Burberry gown Jayma Mays did to the Emmys last year. People still always bring that one up to me. And I love the mint Zac Posen and sequined Reem Acra Krysten Ritter wore. Talk about pushing someone out of their comfort zone and hitting a home run. She looked epic, and designers have been knocking on my door to dress her ever since. And I love the Burberry grey suit Armie Hammer wore post Oscars – his tux shoes were hurting so he threw on his Nikes. He was so worried I'd be mad, but I loved it! He just landed on Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed list. THAT was epic. And lastly, I'm obsessed with the custom three piece Simon Spurr made for my husband for our wedding last April. It was flawless.
KV: We're really excited to be expanding out into the LA area. Do you have any recommendations or favorite spots as far as eating, drinking and playing goes?
IU: Thirsty Crow in Silverlake is rad. Danny's newest bar Harvard and Stone is our new hang. La Poubelle has been one of our haunts since we were kids. My favorite restaurant is Cliffs Edge, just to be able to live in a place where you can sit outside all year round. That giant tree they have is pretty epic and the pumpkin ravioli ain't too shabby.
KV: What’s the last thing that made you say, “I love Los Angeles?”
IU: See above!
KV: What would an Ilaria Urbinati cocktail consist of?
IU: Lots of sugar. I'm a pink drink girl all the way and not ashamed of it.
Polaroids by Laura Taylor
