Phillip Bloch, the Contrarian

Well known as an international stylist to the elite and a pioneer in the fashion industry, Phillip Bloch has distinguished himself among Hollywood’s A-list. But who is the man behind the red carpet glitz and glam? Best of You Today goes behind the scene to exclusively interview this hottest stylist on the scene.

Phillip Bloch, designer Phillip Bloch, stylist, Fashionista Phillip Bloch

The Best of You Today had the pleasure of a one-on-one interview with Phillip that covered topics from old Hollywood glamour and the media frenzy, to infidelity and how confidence and poise are a woman’s strongest assets.  His answers surprised us. When interviewing a celebrity stylist we expected to get the low-down on the hottest trends of the season and the who’s-who in the fashion world. While he offered great style advice, Phillip’s opinions on much deeper topics were not only revealing but also refreshing. A self described “contrarian” with an eye for detail in design, Phillip is one stylist that reminds us that the woman makes the dress; the dress doesn’t define the women.

 
BOYT: Who are your style icons and what do you admire most about them?
PB: Grace Kelley – she is someone I thought was always so classic, chic and elegant. She had dignity, she had poise and she had class. She was the predecessor to what is happing in the media today – the reality that “all that glitters is not gold.” We grew up thinking, here’s this princess from a glamourous family with an amazing acting career who marries a prince from far away and life is perfect. And then you realize that it’s not always that way, that life is life. There are ups and downs and ins and outs – whether you’re Princess Grace or the women at home. My icons are different than what some might think – Martin Luther King was a big icon to me. I love his passion, his commitment; the way he spoke, his voice just moves me. And I love his style – the way he dressed. Even though it always looked like the same black suit and skinny little tie and white shirt – I like that look to this day. I always went back and forth between the glamour and the political side of things. Princess Diana was a style icon in a very interesting sense. She was a testament to the work she did and how she grew as a human being. We got to see her evolve from the mousy little schoolgirl to a politically active person with a cause and, somewhere in between, she became royalty and glamorous. I liked watching the whole thing evolve and the story unfold as she went from being meek to confident and independent.

 

BOYT: What upcoming designers do you like and who should we be keeping our eye on?

PB: It’s hard to say who people know and who they don’t know. There is such an influx of designers right now. I like a little bit of vintage with a romantic twist and very feminine. There is a designer, Luisa Beccaria, she is not very new, but she’s not very known. I love her clothes; you get a real 50s feel. I like Collette Dinnigan and Catherine Malandrino; Valantino for the gowns. I love Donna Karan. If I were a woman, I would wear a lot of Donna Karan. She is sexy and comfortable. The fit is beautiful and the fabrics, luxurious. She takes the practicality of American design and mixes it with the intrigue of Japanese designers.

BOYT: What current celebrity’s style do you love and why?

PB: You can’t beat Nicole Kidman. She wears fashion whether you like it or don’t. Jennifer Lopez can do no wrong. Except at the Grammy’s this year – it’s the only time she wore something I didn’t think was amazing. Cate Blanchette and Natalie Portman: I admire a woman who will throw on a Dries Van Norton and go to the Oscars. I like someone who takes risks and does something different.

BOYT: On dressing in the new economy – what can you say about the trends?

PB: I don’t follow trends. I don’t know the trends. I’ll never know the answer to “What’s the IN bag?” or “What’s the must-have shoe for spring?” I don’t know what everyone else thinks is amazing. I honestly don’t read the magazines. They pollute my sensibilities by cramming knowledge into my brain instead of just letting my brain absorb what I like. I’m not interested in all the fashion fabulosity and all the commotion. I have a book coming out in August called The Shopping Diet. It discusses the economical and emotional solutions to spending less and saving more. The point is that you don’t have to be a princess to be glamorous. 

BOYT: What are the five classic pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe (we didn’t dare ask him about spring trends!)

PB: 1) A trench coat – one with movement and a fuller body. Everyone has a different length and color that they need and works for them. A beautiful trench can go from day to evening. I love things that go from day to evening. 2) A pencil skirt – it works on any figure. I like it on a curvy girl as much as I do on a small, skinny girl. 3) A pair of snakeskin shoes in a nice mix of caramel, black and brown. They can transform and go with anything. They can disappear or they can pop. 4) A great fitting pair of jeans 5) A great white blouse. You don’t need all these amazing things in your wardrobe – you just need the right ones and you can reinterpret them. Vintage jewelry is great and adds personal style.

BOYT: How do you feel the media influences women?

I have a very special intuition into women’s thoughts – it’s one of the gifts God has given me. I have an intuition and strong feminine side. I have a lot of the girl gene. It’s a gift to be able to connect with women.  One very, very important message the media has given us is this: If Jennifer Aniston, America’s sweetheart, beautiful, sexy, amazing career, amazing dresser, makes millions of dollars, great person, fun, etc., etc., can get dumped for Angelina Jolie; and if Sandra Bullock, again, one of the most beautiful women, strong, intelligent, kind, can get cheated on – it goes to show women everywhere that it’s not just you. Tiger Woods’ wife, Elin, is another example; she’s striking. It’s a profound message to women – don’t take it so hard – it’s not just you. When I was younger, I was never that upset about someone’s cheating because I had learned, through Marianne Williamson and Louise Hay, that someone’s cheating was not because of me or what I was doing (although I certainly had a part in it). It’s a reaction to something they’re feeling. It doesn’t mean you’re not pretty enough or sexy enough or good in bed.

BOYT: We always look for that revealing quality that surprises people. What would you say yours is?

PB: Being a known personality, people tend to see you in one particular way – I am known as this fashion person. There is a profound side of me that isn’t realized. I won’t give you the five things you need for spring, I’ll give you the five things you need for life. Where the conversation led, what was important for me, was all of these other issues. I surprise those that think I live and breathe fashion, which isn’t the case. I am a contrarian; I refuse to be cast in the role that Hollywood wants to cast me in.

Visionary, conscious, and artistic are just a few words we use to describe Phillip Bloch. His candid approach to our interview only reinforced our feeling that style and beauty are so much more than skin-deep. As Grace Kelly so perfectly stated, “I don't want to dress up a picture with just my face,” The Best of You Today feels true confidence and inner beauty are the best accessory a woman can possess. Obviously, Mr. Bloch agrees.

Items shown above:

Miss Sixty Women’s Trench

Citizens of Humanity Kelly Bootcut Jean

Newport News Shape fx Hold-you-in pencil skirt

Kate Spade Glenda Roccia Gold Python

Theory Ganesa Blouse