Audrey in our Cleopatra Collar in gold
If you don’t know who Audrey Kitching is, or what her website, Buzznet.com is, then you might, as the saying goes, be living under a rock. She has been called the hardest working woman in fashion and a fashion nightmare all in the same breath, featured by Cosmopolitan and Nylon as a leader in street chic, and made every worst dressed list you can think of, but one thing can be said about her without a second thought or much resistance; Audrey Kitching is Audrey Kitching. She is no one else. She is original, fun, and her ability to maintain exactly what she stands for under the pressure of it all is infectious. We’re so happy to have made friends with her here at Karen London and she took the time out of her insanely busy schedule to sit down with us and answer some questions about who she is, and why she is.
Q: First of all, Hi Audrey.
A: Hi! Thanks so much for doing this with me. Love Karen London jewelry!
Q: The feeling is mutual! So I have a couple questions for you. First of all, you do so many things, from art directing, to designing, to modeling… When people ask you what you do, what do YOU say? Do you identify with any one of these things more than another?
A: I think it depends on who asks me haha! If it’s someone like my acupuncturist or a stranger I just say “I work in fashion. It’s complicated!” If it’s someone industry based, or someone who kinda gets it, I tell them I’m a designer and fashion editor/writer who also styles and models for campaigns and editorials… basically a fashion brand that does it all!
Q: And now I hear you’re working on a new line called Tokyolux. What do you plan to do with it?
A: Yes. Well, actually two at the moment! Tokyolux was my original brand, but since we have expanded, and have showrooms over in Tokyo now, it only made sense to change the brand name to Audrey Kitching Los Angeles for marketing purposes.
One is a ready-to-buy look book that is going to launch later this month where you can get everything right NOW. It’s very fun, floral, girly and comfy but definitely fashionable! I’m really big on casual but stylish clothing. For my job I’m running around approving samples, taking NYC transit to get to shoots and editorials, taking work calls, and working at my desk. It wouldn’t be practical to be in full high heels and a tight corset dress for my life style. I wanted to create something for power women like me haha. Girls on-the-go, who are making things happen, but still want to look great. Audrey Kitching Los Angeles is that clothing line you can wear to yoga then throw heels and lipstick on and go out to dinner after! The second collection I will be showcasing this August at the WWD MAGIC/PROJECT trade show in Vegas. Think Hindu meets kitties meets floral meets awesomeness!
Q: Haha. Love the sound of that. With all of that happening, however to you keep up with all of your social media madness?
A: Honestly I don’t even know! I think I have been doing this for so long it’s just embedded in my mind. Wake up, brush teeth, post instagram, go to bathroom, make smoothie, update tumblr, answer emails, pinterest, take a shower, answer formspring, blog, get dressed… haha something kinda like that!
Q: And you cover all manner of art on your website Buzznet.com, but is there anything you feel you’re missing that you want to expand on or add?
A: Yeah I have been working with them since they were a baby brand just starting, I flew out to LA and they signed me on board and I have hosted there ever since! I’m now the Style editor of the site. Buzznet was built around me and my fans and what I was doing at the time… Think 2006. It’s kinda wild to know I have worked and help build this company from the ground up that has transformed into this huge multimedia company Buzz Media! The great thing about being the Style Editor and having it hosted there is I have 110% control over everything I do. I only post on things I want and cover brands I respect. My page is as authentic as it gets and that’s extremely important to me. Eventually I would love to have my own fashion source site!
Q: Since you’re so involved in the fashion world, I have to know, who’s your favorite designer out there right now?
A: God. Such a hard question. I have so many for different reasons. Right now I’m really inspired by Ashish, Jeremy Scott, Christopher Kane and Miu Miu!
Q: You’ve been both praised and bashed for your unique and forward style, how do you keep from being influenced by these opinions?
A: When I was a lot younger I feel like it really bothered me, never enough to change, but enough to get upset over. As you get older you honestly realize you have to be true to who you are. This is who I am. It’s not a character or a gimmick. If people don’t like it they don’t need to look at it.
There is also a fine line of asking for it though, and I’m well aware of that! I have been on Cosmo, Ok, Style & Life, Star’s… every magazine’s worst dressed list you can think of! But in their defense, if I’m going to show up to the red carpet wearing a rainbow sequin dress with 6 inch platforms and pink hair, you kinda expect it.
Q: When reading about you, I’ve seen you’re a big advocate for animal rights, what inspired this passion for you?
A: You know I stopped eating meat as a very young child before I feel I was even able to grasp the whole concept about where it comes from. It never seemed right to me. I think being a vegetarian since I was a child has really had a huge part in it. I love animals so much they are the same as you and me. Every living thing is made of the same energy just in a different material body. I wouldn’t eat my cat, or my friend so why would I eat the chicken down the road? haha
Q: If you could sum up your philosophy in just a few words, what would it be? What would you like people to take away from your website when they visit it?
A: I think a lot of girls growing up are original, creative and different and may have a hard time fitting in, like I did as a teen. I want everyone, whether they are a 40 year old mom, a 12 year old girl, or a 21 year old boy, to be able to get inspired and want to experiment and let their true self come out without worrying about what anyone is going to say! I don’t write about your everyday boring things so I think the people who follow me and read what I do have that spark in them and just need it to be ignited!
Q: What’s next, Audrey?
A: I’m working on the release of two books this summer/fall, and a sunglass collaboration that I’m really excited for! The best thing about this job is you really never know what’s around the corner. Just this week I got hired for a big magazine editorial styling job & promotional campaign!
What did I tell you? Infectious. Makes me want to go put on a sequent dress, dye my hair pink and strut down the street like it’s no big deal. Thanks Audrey, you truly are an inspiration and we love to watch you for what’s cool, and what’s next!
Love, the Karen London team
Audrey in our Cleopatra Collar in rose gold
Audrey in our On a Roll ring