Stylist and fashion student Franklin Headen is all about making the body look seductive, in all aspects of his work. From fashion to even his tattoos, he finds inspiration in what he calls his “ultimate muse” Kate Moss; if you are unfamiliar with Moss, minimize this tab, search her, (fall in love with her) and proceed back to this article. Franklin’s style is effortlessly cool. We get that sense from not only from what he shared with me, but from the fierce shots of him captured above. I have a feeling by the end of our interview you’ll be just as in love with him as I am.
Outfit Details.
T:Shirt: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Rick Owens, Belt: Brave, Boots: Gucci
How did you get into fashion?
My career really started taking off/changed when I began working for Oscar de la Renta in fashion show production where I assisted in model casting, styling runway looks, and backstage management.
Tell me about the styling you do.
I work in personal styling I have a handful of clients who I shop for. Most of them are based in Charlotte, North Carolina. I do a lot of online shopping for them for vacations and special events. I also do editorial work for a few magazines. I style shoots for them and additionally, work for a number of agencies in New York and Miami to help build model’s portfolios.
What would you like to get into in the future?
I’m very interested in lingerie and swimwear so I think if I go that route, to have my own swimwear line or work for Agent Provocateur or Beach Bunny. I could also go the styling route and end up working for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. A lot of my work is very sexy, so working for a magazine like Maxim is another option. However, my ultimate dream would be to work for Victoria’s Secret. Designing and conceptualizing different segments of the VS fashion show and being a part of the whole design process. Being the creative director of that would be great. I love model casting and working with models. To create a garment or a look that will be broadcasted on TV for millions of people to see for one model in particular- I just love that idea and I would love to work for them.
Style Icon.
Recently I have been loving Harry Brandt; Olivier Rousteing of Balmain also has great style. (Couldn’t agree more.)
What’s one thing you’d like to fade out in fashion?
I think midi dresses and skirts need to die out. It’s such an awkward length. They only look good on models and tall, thin, old women.
Tell me about your “pursued by wolves” tattoo.
Basically Kate Moss is my number one muse. I think that she embodies the darker side of fashion, rebellion and I have been a fan of hers for a long time. I love her. Truly, a lot of my work is inspired by her. I think she was 14 when she did her first runway show. It was right after she had been scouted in an airport. She was a 5’6” girl against these 5’10” supermodels of her time and she was walking in a couture show. Galliano was the designer and he wanted her to open the show. He put her in this huge avant garde gown with a 22-foot train. Right before she went out he went up to her and said “I want you to pick up your train and run down the runway like you are being pursued by wolves.” So this waif of girl ran down the runway and editors and fashion icons are sitting front row and had never seen anything like this before. That was the time of the fierce walk, and here is this little girl no one had ever seen before. But that moment is what made her. There is a lot in my past that I have left behind, and the wolves of my past are going to stay there. My tattoo is a symbol of the rebellion in the fashion industry, Kate, and our journey in fashion together.
If you’d like to see more of Franklin’s work check out his website at http://franklin-headen.4ormat.com/#0 (its fabulous, really).
Props to my lovely photographer Maddie you can check out her portfolio at http://www.behance.net/madeleinemivey.