Delving into his Grandmother’s closets to try on her stockings, colourful shoes and red lipstick, Jedroot signed stylist Brett Bailey loves to create outlandish characters from clothes.
Starting off life as a dancer, chumming up with Britney to shake a tail feather or two, NYC based Bailey first fell in love with fashion whist modelling for Vogue Italia. Nice work if you can get it and today Brett most commonly can, although now you’ll find him behin-the-scenes as opposed to causing one. Brett thinks his first name should have been ‘love’, so passionate is he about everything. From styling superstars such as Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Uffie to working on special projects styling multiple covers of alternative art quarterly ‘The New Tough’ and producing his own independent fashion films, this busy boy knows how to work it hard and party harder. i-D online caught high tide to find out what direction Brett Bailey’s oceans are moving in.
You started off life as a dancer, tell me more about why you pursued a career in performance as opposed to design? Fashion is a performance. Dance was the education I needed to understand how to entertain my audience.
Do you remember what the first outfit you wore to perform in was? Yes, it’s on my Facebook profile now. Red sequin tuxedo with top hat, white tap shoes and a red bow tie.
Who are some of the up and coming visionaires you would tip for big things in 2012? There are so many talented emerging artists. Iris Van Herpen, Jan Taminiau, Irina Shaposhnikova, Oscar Olima, Seth Pratt, Damon Baker, Luke Abby, Patricia Morales. I could go on…
What is your favourite colour and why? RED because it gives me excessive pleasure.
What is the staple item in your wardrobe? My black and gold embroidered kimono.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges fashion presents? The industry is a constant challenge, but I am lucky enough to surround myself with good-hearted strong people who keep me level-headed and remind me what is truly important.
What has been your greatest achievement to date? There’s no room in my closet to collect trophies. Everything I have done is in the past. My greatest achievement is being able to live in the now.
What makes an individual stylish? When someone discovers his or her identity through fashion. Someone who is confident in their own skin and not afraid to take risks.
Where does the future of fashion lie? For me the future of fashion is revolutionary, fearless and experimental. Fashion will be more of a tool for empowerment and performance rather than just another price tag or label.
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Brett Bailey
