MEET THE STYLIST: THE KIDS

A Conversation with The Kids: Celebrity & Editorial Stylists

Sammy & Judy are both LA natives. They met when they were 12 years old in 7th grade one day while skipping class. They had an instant connection when they met, and have been inseparable ever since. After attending the same high school, Judy went off to college to pursue a career in medicine. Sammy enrolled at an Art Institute in Los Angeles pursuing a career in Fashion Design. After a couple of years, Judy was unhappy in her studies. Realizing she was unhappy and only pursuing a career in medicine to please her parents, Judy decided she wanted to switch career paths, and try out a career in fashion where she could be more free to express her ideas & creativity. By coincidence Sammy at that same point also realized he was much more interested in fashion styling rather than fashion designing.

After a few long conversations, Sammy & Judy decided to try out celebrity styling as a styling duo. Word quickly spread, and jobs came in one after another. Since they were so young at the time everyone from agents to photographers to publicists kept referring to them as "The Kids". Eventually the name stuck and their nickname ended up becoming their brand name.

Some of their past clients include Cindy Crawford, Minnie Driver, Lindsay Lohan, Heidi Klum, Carla Gugino, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Cosgrove, Lil Kim, Pink and The Pussycat Dolls. They have also worked with such fashion magazines as Nylon, Flaunt, Zink, Ocean Drive, Harpers Bazaar, Esquire and Cosmopolitan.

Currently their full time clients include: Kelly Rowland, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Kristin Cavallari & Amber Rose. They are also currently in the middle of shooting their docu-series for the Oxygen Network called "L.A. Style". It's about young fashion stylists working in the industry and showing the creative process that goes into being a stylist. They want to show the world the not so glamourous side of the styling industry & exactly what it takes to build a company and a brand from the ground up.

Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item

Sammy: Anyone who knows me, knows I'm OBSESSED w/ Keith Haring. We attended our good friend Jeremy Scott's fashion show a few seasons back, and he showed this amazing black & white Keith Haring leather jacket on the runway. I was instantly obsessed! I contacted Jeremy begging for him to save me one. I wasn't sure if he had already given them away as only a limited few were made. A few days later a package arrived and low behold there was the jacket in all its glory. To date it is still my favorite piece in my whole closet

Judy: I am a huge vintage junkie. I collect designer vintage pieces from secret places throughout the LA area. I collect a plethora of amazing vintage pieces from designers such as Chanel, Ferragamo, Gianfranco Ferre and Roberto Cavalli. If I had to choose one piece, it would be my vintage Roberto Cavalli leopard sequin gown. I have never worn it because I like to keep all my vintage pieces in perfect condition, but one day it will have its moment.

What’s your most memorable ‘panic moment’?

Both: We were styling The Pussycat Dolls for the Grammy Awards a few years ago who were nominated. They were all wearing these beautiful jewel tone gowns sent by Emmanuel Ungaro. We were already running behind due to hair & makeup taking longer than expected. Their manager was rushing us to get the girls dressed and leave so they would make the red carpet on time. As we were getting the last girl dressed (Ashley), we realized her dress was completely see through. After having a 30 second meltdown, we had no choice but to think fast!

How did you recover from it gracefully?

Both: We grabbed a piece of fabric and stuffed it in under her bra, just barely covering her lady bits. If you look closely you can barely see the extra fabric showing underneath her dress, but fortunately no one but us could tell. Talk about thinking on your feet.

What is your favorite era for fashion?

Sammy: Late 70's / early 80's. Obsessed with the New Romantics movement in London in the late 70's, as well as the downtown NY art scene in the early 80's.

Judy: Mid 50s and the 1990s. The combination of both those eras pretty much ties up my style. I am very inspired by the whole Marilyn Monroe/Audrey Hepburn classic chic style which is forever timeless mixed in with the grunge era of Garbage and Hole.

What was your big break?

Both: Our big break came with the Walt Disney Company. We had a meeting with them over at the Disney Channel. They were in the process of wanting to give The Hannah Montana character (played by Miley Cyrus) a complete image overhaul. Hannah Montana was the biggest show on Disney at the time, and they had already met with every other major stylist in the industry. Our agents told us Disney still feels they haven't found the right stylist and it was getting down to the wire. So on a whim last minute from our agents and with nothing to lose they sent us in to meet them. We had no idea we would be walking into a board meeting complete with the entire Disney staff eagerly waiting to hear all of our "wonderful" ideas. Somehow we got through the meeting without passing out. We were so nervous we barely remember a thing from that meeting, it all seemed like a blur. We didn't hear from them for a few days, so we assumed we didnt get the job. However a few days later we got the call and we were hired. We ended up taking her away from the more country pop look she had been given, and instead gave her an 80's pop star makeover a la Jem & the Holograms, Cyndi Lauper, & Madonna. Disney was so pleased with everything, they ended up hiring us on the whole campaign including the Hannah Montana Walmart commercial, and also the task of designing all the costumes for the Hannah Montana DVD Concert.

Whose closet would you most like to raid?

Sammy: Daphne Guinness

Judy: Miroslava Mikheeva-Duma (Editor of Russian Harper's Bazaar)

Who are your favorite designers?

Both: We love so many designers, it's hard choosing favorites. They are all so special in their own ways. But just to name a few we always love working with legendary fashion houses like Versace, Chanel, & Gaultier. We also love working with very innvoative designers like Paco Rabanne & Gareth Pugh. We also love working with and supporting young and up & coming designers like The Blonds and Jeremy Scott.

Thanks Sammy & Judy! What a great 'Big Break' moment! To learn more about The Kids - visit their site (www.thekids.net) and their blog (www.thekids.net/blog). You can also TWEET them @thekidsblog or check out their TUMBLR HERE.