Hellin Kay
Photo: Getty Images
Recently, The New York Times wrote a piece that New York Fashion Week has become overrun with pomp and circumstance. And while it may be true as the tents are expanding thanks to social media, the street-style craze, and the addition of bloggers, It girls, etc., one designer played into the more is more trend—and we loved it. Said designer is Rebecca Minkoff and to complement her Latin American-inspired spring collection, she tapped Janelle Monáe to perform live on her catwalk (Victoria's Secret show-style) while Kelly Osbourne hosted her social media channels.
"We were lucky enough to be able to work with AmEx this season and they asked me, "'Who's on your wish list of artists?'" Minkoff told us backstage before the show. "So we were able to get Janelle Monáe, and she brings a great energy to the table."
That she did, belting out powerful lyrics with her signature jazzy backbeat while models fiercely stormed the catwalk in bright printed frocks, laser-cut leather jackets, lace-up heels that went up to almost their knees, and edgy backpacks. While Minkoff put the final touches on her models, her celebrity fans (such as Zosia Mamet) moseyed around. It was then that we spotted actress Jamie Chung, outfitted in Minkoff designs, and grabbed her to talk shop.
Are you a Janelle Monáe fan? She's performing today.
I'm a huge fan. She's one of the coolest chicks. I think she's the one girl who can always rock menswear and still look really sexy and sophisticated.
So, what projects are you working on right now?
Gosh, I have a show for NBC called Belief. It won't be out until February. I have a couple movies coming out: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For in August and 7500. There are a bunch!
What about your role as Mulan on ABC's fantastical show, 'Once Upon a Time'?
That as well! I did a couple episodes.
Is it fun to walk around those magic forest sets? Or do they superimpose you?
No, no, no. We actually walk around those sets. It's quite strange, like, galloping out on a horse in full-armored gear in the middle of summer.
We spotted you in the VIP section at
Coachella. Are you a big music festival person?
I am. I was just talking about this with my other friend and she's like, "I hate crowds; it's the worst way to listen to music." But I love it. I love being engulfed by the whole experience.
Are there any ones you want to do next year?
You know, my friends just came back from Burning Man. And I know that's a crazy music festival. I think that's a little too hardcore for me, but I would really like to try and check out Bonnaroo next year.
Bonnaroo? Are you going to camp?
No. I'm gonna RV it.
So you're going to glamp?
He's kind of suffering with me on my journey training for a half-marathon. So that's been our thing. He's been running with me. The couple who runs together, stays together! We just stay pretty active. We actually do go camping a lot, but we stay in cabins. So again, it's glamping.
See the spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear collections.
See the spring 2014 Rebecca Minkoff Ready-to-Wear collection.
Hellin Kay
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ GETTY Images for American Express
Hellin Kay
Photo: IMAXtree.com/Matteo Volta
