Chloe Malle: This is The Run-Through. I'm Chloe Malle. Chioma Nnadi: And I'm Chioma Nnadi. Chloe Malle: And this week on the show, we have our friend from Vogue Iggy Murillo. Iggy is the global talent casting director at Vogue. Iggy, we're so excited to talk to you. We wanna hear everything about what you do and we felt like this was really your shining moment, this cover- Chioma Nnadi: This week, yeah! Chloe Malle: ... that must've been a nightmare. You were like the, uh, conductor of a symphony. Hopefully not tar-like, but- Iggy Murillo: Yeah, it was not- nothing like that, yeah. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: It took a couple of years off my life, but it was- it was nice. It's like super rewarding so at the- at the end of the day it's always, like, worth something. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Iggy Murillo: You know? Chloe Malle: Who are you and what do you do? Iggy Murillo: Um, so I'm Ignacio Murillo. I am the global talent casting director at Vogue, um, and I oversee everything model-related for the magazine. Chloe Malle: Model-related. To- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chloe Malle: ... for- for the laymen, what does that mean? Iggy Murillo: So I cast like all the print stories, if there's a video, like all the series of, like, beauty secrets or seven days, seven lives, I also, um, work on that. If there is some sort of like event- Chloe Malle: Wait, so seven days, seven lives? Chioma Nnadi: Seven days, seven looks. Iggy Murillo: Seven looks. Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. If there's like events, I help, like, the events team to wrangle people to come to the events. So anything, like, if you have a question for a model, they usually come to me. Chloe Malle: Okay. And you then go to the models agent and you say "We'd like to get Naomi Campbell to be photographed for this Karl Lagerfeld cover on this day," and then you're going back and forth making sure she shows up on set? Is that pretty much- Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so I have to basically explain what we're doing, um, or I guess just give them full-on transparency as much as I can. 'Cause sometimes, like half of the time, it-... everything kinda evolves. So like, it changes last minute and everything. But yeah, just basically let them know of everything that we're doing on the date that we're doing, the city that we're doing it, and hopefully they'll show up. Chloe Malle: Okay, so tell us what we're talking about. Iggy Murillo: Um, so we're talking about our new, um, May cover that just dropped in celebration of Karl Lagerfeld's legacy. And we have 10 supermodels on the cover, shot by Annie and styled by Alex Harrington. Chloe Malle: Annie Leibovitz. Chioma Nnadi: Annie Leibovitz. Iggy Murillo: Yeah, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs]. I was very confused by this terminology of putting someone on option. Chloe Malle: Hmm. Iggy Murillo: Yes. Chioma Nnadi: Like what... can you explain like what it means to be on option, first option? Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so... I guess when we first get a story, we kind of think of like who would be the best for that story. So I start placing holds or like soft holds of just basically letting them know, like- Chloe Malle: What's a soft hold? Iggy Murillo: Wh-... that it-... we're not fully committing, we're thinking of you, type of thing. Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Like I'm thinking of you for the story. Chloe Malle: Pencil me in. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Um, but yeah, we just basically let them know like the basic information of, like, the date, the photographer, how many pages, the issue. Um, and then we hopefully get a first option, which that means like in their calendars, the-... like we have-... they're available for that shoot. Um... Chloe Malle: We're their favorite for that particular day. Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: And then a second option just means that there's another client ahead of us. Um, usually it's like a money job or a campaign or another cover or another shoot. Um, and then based on the first options, that's when we decide who do we wanna confirm? Chloe Malle: Interesting. Chioma Nnadi: Isn't it? Chloe Malle: All right. How did this cover shoot come to be? And is this the most models you've ever booked for a cover? Iggy Murillo: For a cover, yes. Um... well, I know that they were discussing different ideas for the cover related to the Met Gala, and it was actually Sergio Kletnoy, our entertainment director, who pitched this idea to Anna saying "This is like the most perfect time to actually do, like, an iconic model group cover." So she- Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Iggy Murillo: ... was into it and then they just basically said "Go." They got Annie and Alex and then we just started kinda doing research on like Karl's favorite muses. 'Cause there were a lot of them and we only had place for 10. Because they also got designers to make custom dresses based on a previous show of Karl, like a tribute to Karl. Chloe Malle: Wow. Another simple addition to the assignment. [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah, lowkey that was like fashion [inaudible 00:04:08] a problem. Chioma Nnadi: And it was filmed at the Grand Palais so- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... I saw a lot of people had on hard hats, right? Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so it was under construction, so like luckily they allow us one weekend. They gave us an option of like between one or the other weekend to have access, but it's still under construction. Chloe Malle: Is the Grand Palais, it's under construction? Just for people who don't know, the Chanel show is historically always at the Grand Palais. Chioma Nnadi: Mm-hmm. Chloe Malle: And... Chioma Nnadi: Well, Karl's Chanel shows, yeah. Chloe Malle: Karl's Chanel shows. Chioma Nnadi: Although I think Virginie has continued to show there. Chloe Malle: She's continued, but did she not show there this past season because they're under construction? Iggy Murillo: No, uh- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, it's been under construction for- Chloe Malle: Okay. Chioma Nnadi: ... a- for a couple of seasons. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: But yeah, we got-... luckily we got access to it. And I think that just like adds another magic layer to the- to the- Chloe Malle: No, it looks great. Iggy Murillo: ... images. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Those- those- those images of- of- of those dresses in that crumbling environment, it's kind of so- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... gorgeous. Chloe Malle: So you started with a list of like the 10 dream girls. How-... what were some of the trickiest hoops you had to jump to get these ladies at the Grand Palais on time? Iggy Murillo: Well, it was just kinda like their schedules and then also the city, 'cause we were shooting it in Paris and a lot of them are based in the US or, for example, like Luann was in, uh, in China. So it's kinda like coordinating all of them to be at the same place on this two days in Paris when they don't live there. Natalia was actually the only one that like lives in Paris. Chloe Malle: Right. Iggy Murillo: So nine had to come from the US, China or other parts in Europe. Chloe Malle: Wow. And were there any that were, like, last minute almost outs that you had to bend over backwards to make sure they got there? Iggy Murillo: No. Uh, the last minute that was like such a... I was able to breathe type of thing, like three days before- Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: ... was like Kendall, 'cause she moved mountains. Like I'm so grateful, like, 'cause she moved so much in order to, like, get there. Chloe Malle: What does it look like, Kendall moving a mountain? Iggy Murillo: Well, she was, um... I forget where she was. It was- Chioma Nnadi: She was hosting a party in Dubai, I was actually there. [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so- Chloe Malle: Oh my God, she was with Chioma. Iggy Murillo: She was, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: She wasn't with me. We were in the same location. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah. But sh-... on, like, but after that, she had another shoot in LA I believe. Chloe Malle: Wow. Iggy Murillo: So there's like all of it, so she had to just make like a pit stop, we only got her for a couple of hours, um, and I'm forever, like, thankful. Chloe Malle: Wow. Chioma Nnadi: What does a supermodel like Kendall's schedule look like? I mean, how many planes are they getting on? I mean... Iggy Murillo: That I have no idea but it's- it's busy. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Every time I'm trying, it's like so busy. 'Cause they-... all these, like, girls have like also different businesses. Like she has her like tequila brand and- Chloe Malle: Oh, I forgot about that. Chioma Nnadi: What made you wanna work in this world of models? Like what was your first job in fashion? Iggy Murillo: My first job in fashion wa-... I was actually Glenda Bailey's second assistant at Harper's Bazaar. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Iggy Murillo: And then I become like a visual, um, editor, which I was producing photo shoots. Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Iggy Murillo: Um, but I've always had like a fascination about like models. Kate, um, Moss is like- Chioma Nnadi: Who's-... yeah, who's your favorite? Can you- Iggy Murillo: Yeah, Kate Moss- Chioma Nnadi: ... can you pick favorites? Iggy Murillo: Kate Moss is like my absolute favorite. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: Growing up, did you-... were you like a model stan as a- as a youth? Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so, but it was so kinda weird because I only was like a Kate Moss stan. Chloe Malle: Oh! Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Um, that's like, oh I was like so fascinated. And then when I like came to the US from Mexico and then the whole like Victoria Secret thing- Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: ... I was like so fascinated by it. Um, but I never thought, like, oh that's a career I want to go into. Like, I went to college trying to become a doctor- Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Iggy Murillo: ... and then I started journalism even though I'm like- Chloe Malle: Interesting. Iggy Murillo: ... the worst writer. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: But I just kinda wanted to be some sort of in this world. Um, and then all the Vogue documentaries and everything just made it seem like that's where I needed to kind of be. And-... but it wasn't until I started working in fashion that I discovered, like, oh, I can do this type of job. And then I was-... yeah. Chloe Malle: And what age were you when you moved to the States? Iggy Murillo: Uh, I was 10 years old. Chloe Malle: 10's probably too young, but like do you remember in Mexico growing up, did models-... like, what models broke through into- Iggy Murillo: Uh, there was no models in Mexico [laughs]. Um, I don't reme-... I remember basically moving to this country and then maybe when I was 12 or 13- Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: ... it's when I kinda started picking, uh, Vogue and I was also picking GQ. Chloe Malle: Okay. Iggy Murillo: But those were kinda like the only two that I was kind of fascinated. And then later in life I started picking up Bazaar because I fell in love with like Glenda's like super over the top, magical photo shoots. Chloe Malle: Mm-hmm. Iggy Murillo: And then, um, that was kinda like also a method of trying to kinda get culturalized in this country and like learn English. Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Iggy Murillo: Um, because I had no- Chloe Malle: Mm-hmm. Iggy Murillo: ... no clue, type of thing. Um, but yeah, there was no... I never dreamt of, like, anything was possible when I was in Mexico. I don't know if it was because I was like 10 or- Chloe Malle: Right. Iggy Murillo: ... just because I didn't think there was... like the- like if I would've stayed there, the future would've been like, my dad is a farmer, so my future would've been, like, working in like farming. Chloe Malle: Interesting. Iggy Murillo: Like there's no- Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Iggy Murillo: ... method of like, oh, I can achieve this or do that- Chloe Malle: Right. Iggy Murillo: ... type of situation. Chloe Malle: Where in the States did you move to? Iggy Murillo: So we moved to Mississippi. Chloe Malle: Okay. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Chloe Malle: Wow. Iggy Murillo: Um, yeah. Chloe Malle: Was that an abrupt transition? Chioma Nnadi: Culture shock, no? Iggy Murillo: It was, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah. It's still kinda, yeah, every time I go back. It's like I come here and I'm like in this beautiful bubble and then I go back. But the more that I go back is the more that I appreciate. Chloe Malle: Iggy, do you book international covers? Or are you-... like what's your global reach? Iggy Murillo: Yeah, so we have about, um, one or two or sometimes three global stories in every issue. That means it runs in every singe Vogue. I help, uh, book covers internationally if they come from those global stories. Chioma Nnadi: Got it. Iggy Murillo: And then the-... um, Vogue Mexico and [inaudible 00:09:21] America, so like, that I oversee the-... those. So I just booked, like, Irina Shayk and Tindi Mar for their April overs. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, I mean finally like a future Mexican supermodel. I mean, when you look back and think about, you know, representation, do you think now that we've- we've moved the needle since you started on-... in fashion and what is it like to see Mexican models like Tindi kind of on the world stage? Iggy Murillo: Well so, I'm excited now because they actually somewhat look like me. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Iggy Murillo: Like, I don't wanna offend someone, but I feel like in the past, if they were like Mexican models or Latin, they came from like a very white European background. Chioma Nnadi: Got it, got it, got it. Iggy Murillo: So like right now all the ones that I'm super excited actually kinda look like me. So it's just like kinda like I'm excited that they're not, you know, looking at someone that has like blonde hair and it's white and it's blue, yes, they're Mexican, but like- Chloe Malle: Right. I don't know Tindi is. Is that a- Chioma Nnadi: Oh you- you'd love her, she's gorgeous. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chloe Malle: She's a young, fresh model? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, and she also has quite interesting... she has quite an-... doesn't she- Iggy Murillo: She has a background in- Chioma Nnadi: ... she lives in an interesting community, yeah. Iggy Murillo: ... sustain- sustainability, yeah. Yeah. Chloe Malle: Hmm, okay. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. And then there's another, um, one that I'm super excited about, her name is [inaudible 00:10:27]- Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Iggy Murillo: ... that's in the new Bottega campaign. Chloe Malle: Oh wow. Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Um, yeah, so she was exclusive to them last season. Um, and she's I think 18, 19. Chioma Nnadi: Who are the other new faces that you're exc- you're excited about? Name, I don't know, name a-... name maybe one- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chloe Malle: Or- Chioma Nnadi: ... or two. Chloe Malle: ... new old faces. Chioma Nnadi: New old faces. Yeah, because you know, this week we actually have a story going up about the 40-something model- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... making a comeback. Iggy Murillo: Well the one that I'm like- Chioma Nnadi: And Maggie Rizer being all over and... Iggy Murillo: Yeah. The one that I'm like the most, most excited about that just, uh, from the recent shows, it's Heather, uh, Diamond. Chioma Nnadi: Huh. Iggy Murillo: Um, who is, uh, a First Nations, um, from Canada and she just was like everywhere. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Iggy Murillo: And she's just so gorgeous. Chloe Malle: Have you ever worked with your idol, Kate Moss? Iggy Murillo: I have done two shoots but I've never met her or I have never, like- Chloe Malle: Oh, no, you- Iggy Murillo: ... anything-... yeah. Chloe Malle: ... got to meet her. Iggy Murillo: No I'm like hoping that, like, at the Met or something. Chioma Nnadi: Yes. Iggy Murillo: Or like something. I just... Chioma Nnadi: What are you gonna say? Iggy Murillo: I don't know. So- so I have this tendency of where I just freeze and cry sometimes. My- Chloe Malle: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: ... 'cause my big time idol was Peter Lindbergh and the only time that I ever was present, I couldn't even say hello, I just started crying. Chloe Malle: Aw! Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: And I was-... yeah. So it's just like I hopefully will be able to say something. But it's like very, very few people that, like, I get like that. Chioma Nnadi: It's basically Kate and Peter. [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah, exactly. Chioma Nnadi: That's incredible. Chloe Malle: Oh my God, I love that. Chioma Nnadi: What takes a good model? Like, what do you-... what takes a good model? Iggy Murillo: I feel like if they're into it, 'cause there's so many girls that they just do it because someone told them to do them or, um, it's kinda like, it is a job, but like... I think it's just like if they're really, really passionate about it. From this generation, I'm like so into Bella, 'cause like Bella is just so- Chioma Nnadi: She's really into fashion. Iggy Murillo: Yeah, she gets to into it. And like you can kinda tell. Chloe Malle: Hadid, for those who don't know. Iggy Murillo: Yeah, sorry, I just always talk in like first name basis. Chloe Malle: I know, I know. Iggy Murillo: [laughs] Chloe Malle: It's a very Vogue thing to do. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: But yeah, I just think it's like passion. If they're actually want to be there, 'cause it makes like a huge difference when they just, you know, they're just doing it for work- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, you see the- Iggy Murillo: ... compared to like have that little- Chioma Nnadi: ... passion. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: And she loves getting dressed too, which I think, you know- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... I think that Kate had that-... Kate has that too, she loves clothes, you know? There's a- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: And I think Linda Evangelista was like very much like that too. Iggy Murillo: Yeah, for sure. Chloe Malle: What about Peter Lindbergh made you love him? It's- it's such an interesting, like- Iggy Murillo: He's- Chloe Malle: ... very '90s- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Well his storytelling. I feel like he was, like, the best at telling a story through, like, few visuals. Also just like how he captured, like, a woman, like every picture, they just actually felt like a woman. Chloe Malle: Hmm. Iggy Murillo: I don't know if that makes sense. But also just like, a lot of the pictures had so much, like, rawness to it and just so, like, stripped back. Chioma Nnadi: Mm-hmm. Chloe Malle: Peter Lindbergh is the great photographer who passed away a couple years ago- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Chloe Malle: ... for people who don't know. Um... and it really I feel like is responsible for some of the most iconic- Chioma Nnadi: Of the supermodels. Chloe Malle: ... supermodel images. Iggy Murillo: Yeah. I mean- Chioma Nnadi: I mean, yeah- Iggy Murillo: ... he's the one that shot that British Vogue supermodel cover, that's when everyone started, you know- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Iggy Murillo: ... calling them supermodels. Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Do you think that this idea of a supermodel is still... the word, does it still feel relevant to you? Or- or... Iggy Murillo: I think yes and no because it's like, I feel like they just throw it in everyone. There's the- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, everyone's- Iggy Murillo: ... comes like a new girl and it's like "The new supermodel." Chioma Nnadi: Right. Iggy Murillo: Um, but I don't know- Chioma Nnadi: Can you-... yeah, I mean, can you- Iggy Murillo: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... tell us all where the-... when the term originated and when it started and who were the original supermodels? Iggy Murillo: Well see, here's where it comes like my historian is like really bad. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: I believe it was that British Vogue cover, which it was Linda- Chioma Nnadi: Naomi. Iggy Murillo: ... yeah, Naomi, Christie. Chioma Nnadi: That British Vogue cover shot by Peter Lindbergh. Iggy Murillo: And that's what kinda like, you know, like they started calling them supermodels and then the whole trinity thing started with like Linda, Naomi and Christie. Um... and like the whole '90s and they just took over. Um... Chioma Nnadi: So the term isn't that old really? It's pretty- Iggy Murillo: Yeah, no, it's like, yeah... Chioma Nnadi: Although there are some people that say that- that- that the first supermodel was a model who worked with, uh, Dior. I was just reading about her in the new Karl biography? Chloe Malle: Chioma, how is the new Karl biography? You haven't told us about it. Chioma Nnadi: It's really fun so far. I'm only about a third of the way through it. Chloe Malle: I hear it's very dishy. Chioma Nnadi: It's very dishy. There's a part in it about one of Karl's friends, lovers, close friend, lovers called, um, I think his name was Jacques de Bascher- Chloe Malle: Oh yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... and if you look him up- Chloe Malle: He was a big deal. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. If you look him up, his- his style was impeccable- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... and, you know, Antonia Lopez, that whole crew that- that-... the fashion illustrator, um, and just the wild times they would have in Saint-Tropez in the- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... in the late '70s and these clubs like [inaudible 00:14:53] and, you know? Chloe Malle: This is the new authorized Karl Lagerfeld biography by William Middleton. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Chloe Malle: Um, that... I feel like is a good pre-Met read for- for everyone. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. It is. Is there anything you're reading or you're seeing that you're loving right now? Chloe Malle: Uh, I'm excited about the new Netflix show Transatlantic which is about- Chioma Nnadi: Oh... Chloe Malle: ... this, I believe that he's American, this, uh, man Varian Fry who helped escape lots of French artisan sort of refugees out of World War 11 France. Uh, and apparent-... but I have only watched the first episode and it's very glamorous and fun and it's just sort of the, you know, 1940s fare that I'm looking for at this moment. Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: That sounds fun. But I did see Zadie Smith's play at BAM, The Wife of Willesden, and it was hilarious and it just made me really homesick for home. Chloe Malle: It's a direct adaptation of Chaucer, right? Chioma Nnadi: Yes. Chloe Malle: Line by line? Chioma Nnadi: Yes it is. Well, not line by li-... I guess line by line. Um, but you wouldn't know if you had- if you hadn't studied Chaucer, I mean, I studied it when I was like 16, I could- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... I can't remember. Chloe Malle: I feel like you don't get through the British school system without studying- Chioma Nnadi: Oh my goodness. Chloe Malle: ... some Chaucer. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, some Chaucer and some Milton. It's like, those are like, it's required reading. You could watch the whole play and not have ever heard of Chaucer your whole life. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Okay. Chioma Nnadi: Um, and really enjoy it. Um, I thought it was really funny. Chloe Malle: I think that's on through this weekend, right? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, it's on through this weekend, so catch it if you can. Chloe Malle: All right. Iggy Murillo: The season finale of the new season of Drag Race is this Friday. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: Oh actually I do wanna talk about that. Iggy Murillo: Uh, yeah. Which I just started getting into it, this season. I was very, like, not... 'cause reality TV show doesn't appeal me. Chloe Malle: So it took you this many seasons to get into Drag Race? [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Yeah, it took me-... yeah, it took, yeah, into Drag Race, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Iggy Murillo: Um, but yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Who are the stars of the season that you're looking at on Drag Race? Iggy Murillo: Um... oh my God, I'm like blanking. Sasha. Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Sasha Colby is like my favorite one. Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Iggy Murillo: Um... yeah. The other three I can't... there's final four. The other three I can't... no, Anetra is the second one that I like. The other two I- I don't remember their names. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: [inaudible 00:16:53]. Not front runners then? Iggy Murillo: Yeah, they're not front runners. So I hope it's like Anetra or Sasha, but I'm really hoping Sasha wins. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: Wow. This is The Run-Through, we'll be back in just a moment. Chloe Malle: We have been chatting a lot about the appointment of Pharrell at Louis Vuitton. We'd also been talking about the long-awaited debut of The Idol, the new TV show from Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria. Pa-... you know- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah? Chloe Malle: ... jumping in last week's Euphoria episode, starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp. And we're always looking at A$AP Rocky's style and we thought, you know what? There's one man who has all of these people in common. Chioma Nnadi: If you can believe it, there is one man, and his name is Matthew Henson. Chloe Malle: Your long-time friend. Chioma Nnadi: My long-time friend, yes. I used to know him back in the day when I worked at The Fader and he worked across the street at Complex. Chloe Malle: Oh my God, it's like the Montagues and the Capulets. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs]. It wasn't quite like that, it was- Chloe Malle: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: ... it was very simpatico, we all had a good time, we all got along. And Matthew's such a charmer. Chloe Malle: Yes, he really is. Chioma Nnadi: You can't not fall in love with Matthew. Um, so... yeah, so we got him in. Chloe Malle: So you and Matthew would work at offices across the street and would you, like, have a dueling match over, you know, an article exclusive? Chioma Nnadi: No, we wouldn't. We'd see each other at parties, you know? We were both young and we'd see each other at appointments and shows. And it's a sm-... you know, I used to go to menswear shows more because there was more menswear in- in The Fader, it was predominantly male readership, and it's a different scene. You know? It's a bit more relaxed. Chloe Malle: Both are music magazines, for those who don't know. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. But the- the- the menswear scene is a lot more laid back than the womens wear. So going to a menswear show, everybody knows each other, it's very kind of laid back and casual. And that's where I would see Matthew. Chloe Malle: Okay. And Matthew gave us all of his very diplomatic but inside scoop on how Pharrell Williams is a master of color, he knows every Pantone by heart, and how, uh, The Weeknd is gonna be debuting The Idol at Cannes, and so that's gonna be a real red carpet whirlwind for, uh- Chioma Nnadi: Very excited to see what happens there. Chloe Malle: ... [inaudible 00:19:16]. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: And it turns out that, uh, Matthew is a, uh, voracious vintage collector, which you also have in common with him. So that was- Chioma Nnadi: Oh yes. Chloe Malle: ... fun to hear about his- Chioma Nnadi: His Versace collection wa- was- Chloe Malle: Phew! Chioma Nnadi: ... was getting me very e-... you know, envious. Chloe Malle: And his Andre [inaudible 00:19:32] bidding- Chioma Nnadi: Yes. Chloe Malle: ... he- he really was- was in there. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: My name is Matthew Henson. I am a stylist. Chioma Nnadi: Great voice for radio. Chloe Malle: Okay, but why do you pause when you say stylist? Matthew Henson: Because I feel like it's become such a convoluted thing these days. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: And I feel like everyone I have met in the past five years is a stylist- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Matthew Henson: ... regardless of what the work is. Chioma Nnadi: But you happen to style, in my opinion, the two best-dressed men in the world. Matthew Henson: Well, soon to be three, 'cause there's some things coming. Chioma Nnadi: Oh. Matthew Henson: Listen, um, one of the guys is having a renaissance, so you'll see, it's a- Chioma Nnadi: Okay. Chloe Malle: Oh, I thought you meant that, uh, the next baby is anot-... is a boy that you're styling. Matthew Henson: Okay, so yes. [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: I was given that title, but I am very far from a baby stylist. I-... listen, I- I'm not that talented. I specifically do one thing and that's menswear. I just happened to get an opportunity and I got lucky and- and that's that. Chioma Nnadi: No, you dress Pharell and the two best-dressed men in-... I-... did I say people? Matthew Henson: Well yeah, Pharell. Chioma Nnadi: I said that- Matthew Henson: Oh, I thought you were talking about- Chioma Nnadi: ... men. No, you- you- you- Chloe Malle: I- I- I've- Chioma Nnadi: ... Pharell and- Chloe Malle: ... you- you said three men, I was like "Ooh, him and the baby." Matthew Henson: Because, you know, sometimes people forget about The Weeknd because- Chioma Nnadi: Oh right, of course. But- Matthew Henson: ... you know, he doesn't- Chioma Nnadi: ... The Weeknd's been quiet for a while. Matthew Henson: Well, it's about to make some noise. Chloe Malle: Not about to be! Matthew Henson: He's gonna make some noise. Chloe Malle: Wait for The Idol. Matthew Henson: He's got some- Chioma Nnadi: Okay, so tell us everything. Matthew Henson: He's got some things coming. Chioma Nnadi: 'Cause he always has a theme, right? Matthew Henson: Yeah, exactly. He loves his stage to be very theatrical. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: Like, regardless of what he's doing on the stage or what he's wearing, kind of like the set envelopes, like, everything that he does. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: And it kind of changes throughout his tours. And I think he's- he's got the tour coming this summer, his European tour. Um, but I think what's really interesting is he has his show The Idol coming out. Chioma Nnadi: Of course. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: I forgot, I forgot about that. Matthew Henson: And he'll- and he'll be at Cannes, so I think that will be the first time- Chioma Nnadi: Oh, so you're gonna be doing the Cannes red carpet for him? Matthew Henson: ... you'll see him- Chloe Malle: Oh, that's so fun. Matthew Henson: ... at Cannes. Chioma Nnadi: Oh that'd be fun. Cannes is one good one. Matthew Henson: And I think this is like a really gonna be a renaissance for him, him really kicking the door open on his acting career but also he's probably, you know, one of the biggest musicians in the world. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, he is. People go crazy- Matthew Henson: He's always getting those awards, like- Chioma Nnadi: ... for him. Matthew Henson: ... the most streamed and this most this, the most that. Chioma Nnadi: I mean... yeah, and he did the Super Bowl, he's huge. Matthew Henson: Well, the Super Bowl isn't part of- Chloe Malle: Oh yeah, did you do that Super Bowl? Matthew Henson: It was incredible experience. I'm s- Chioma Nnadi: So what are the logistics of doing a Super Bowl, like, styling a Super Bowl? Matthew Henson: In my case, it came down to it being two, uh, separate entities, because you have- Chioma Nnadi: Right. Matthew Henson: ... the dancers, which is, you know, sometimes upwards of 300 people. Chloe Malle: Did you do the dancers? Matthew Henson: I did not. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: No. Again, not my skillset, I don't set myself up. Chloe Malle: That seems like a real specific skillset. Matthew Henson: But I did him and it was a great experience. He's like very specific on what he likes. You know, you just literally have to listen to him and execute, which is so refreshing. Because sometimes people don't know what they want but he's such a visionary. He knows what he wants. He knows what he looks good in and he doesn't deviate from that. I love that. Chioma Nnadi: Well it seems like you- you work with men who really know their mind about what they want to wear too, right? Matthew Henson: Which is a- which is a really fortunate thing for me. Chioma Nnadi: But also, probably hard. Matthew Henson: I feel very blessed in that way. Chioma Nnadi: Like has it's challenges? Matthew Henson: Oh, it's horrible. Chioma Nnadi: Like, I- Matthew Henson: I mean... Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: I think men are harder to style because they may not want to- Matthew Henson: Men are harder. Men are harder. Chioma Nnadi: ... be seen to be styled. You know? Where women can really- Chloe Malle: Right. Chioma Nnadi: ... push it and... I don't know. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: It's a different thing. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: There has to be kind of a low key-ness to them- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... even when it's a look. Matthew Henson: Yeah. I think I'm fortunate enough in a way too that everybody has their own point of view and they have incredible personal style. So really, I think my job is to kind of bring things that fit into that world but kind of take it up a notch or pull it away from where it is. Which is a- a crazy skillset and you have to learn by fire for majority of it. But it's a really rewarding experience when you see the photos or you see them really happy in their outfit, you see 'em on stage and you can feel their energy 'cause they feel good. It's a really rewarding job, to be honest, fash-... uh, styling's great. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chloe Malle: And you work with Pharell also? Matthew Henson: Yeah, fairly new, I think I've been working with him for about a year now. Chioma Nnadi: And you- you're working at hi-... with him at a really pivotal moment in is career? Like- Matthew Henson: I mean... Chioma Nnadi: ... how does he even have time to get dressed in the morning with what he has going on? He's- Chloe Malle: That's the most fun part of his morning. Chioma Nnadi: Pharell is the new creative director at LV mens. Matthew Henson: Ooh. He's one of the most humble people that I've ever encountered in this business, um, and he really knows his stuff. And he is a visionary. I mean, I-... this is like my first admission of this, but he's part of the reason why I got started in this business. I idolized this man, you know, from- Chioma Nnadi: Me too in a weird way. Matthew Henson: ... when I was a bit younger. And, you know, to work with him is such a full circle moment, I loved how he dressed, I dressed just like him, I love everything that he put out, every visual- Chloe Malle: Oh my God, that's so funny. And now full circle. There's clearly such a sort of a whole world building that happens when he goes- Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chloe Malle: ... does a red carpet appearance, right? What are the steps, A to Z, for dressing Pharell for a big event? Matthew Henson: I think the first thing is to decide who. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Matthew Henson: Because there's so many options. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Matthew Henson: Um... Chloe Malle: Decide which designer? Matthew Henson: Which designer. And then how to stop them from working with other people. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: 'Cause it's kind of a shame when it's like too many people wearing the same designer. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Matthew Henson: It's really nice to, like- Chloe Malle: I know, and there's like a whole boatload of- Matthew Henson: ... make a splash, you know? Chloe Malle: ... Valentino dresses. Chioma Nnadi: Well, when you have a client who can wear what they want, but not everybody can. It's- Matthew Henson: Yeah, some people can. Chioma Nnadi: ... they-... maybe they're with a brand, they [inaudible 00:24:26] with the brand. Chloe Malle: You mean contractually or- Chioma Nnadi: No, when you're invited to- Chloe Malle: Okay. Chioma Nnadi: ... the Met by a brand, you know? Chloe Malle: Right, right, right. Chioma Nnadi: And then you kind of-... you- you- you- you're dressed by that brand. Matthew Henson: Mm-hmm. Chioma Nnadi: But it's kind of fun when you get to choose- Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... according to whatever fantasy or them. Matthew Henson: Well I kinda get lucky because my guys get invited. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, yeah. Matthew Henson: But they don't have the same, uh, restrictions as most people. Chioma Nnadi: You lucky. [laughs] Matthew Henson: So then you really get to shake it up and turn it up and surprise everybody when they show up. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Tell us about that, for me that Rocky look that he wore, that-... the- Chloe Malle: Yeah, can you- Chioma Nnadi: ... ERL? Chloe Malle: ... describe it? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, it's- it's like a-... it was for the American, um, exhibit, the American fashion exhibit, and it was, the focus that year was on independent American fashion and I think that was the dress code, correct? It was like- Matthew Henson: For sure. Chioma Nnadi: ... American independence. And he wore this... it was- it was like what you would imagine like a, um, a co- Chloe Malle: It was like [inaudible 00:25:16] quilt on acid. Chioma Nnadi: A [inaudible 00:25:16] bell quilt- Chloe Malle: Like- Chioma Nnadi: Thank you Chloe, that is exactly what it was. Matthew Henson: Well it was- Chioma Nnadi: It was- it was genius. Matthew Henson: Thank you so much. Um, it kind of was a team effort. I think it started with a very simple conversation with Eli, um, Eli Russell Linnetz, who is the head designer and creative director at ERL. Chloe Malle: That's why it stands for ERL. Matthew Henson: That's why it stands for ERL. Chioma Nnadi: What's L? Matthew Henson: Linnetz. L-I-N-N-E-T-Z. Hopefully I'm not saying it wrong, Eli don't kill me. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: Uh... Chloe Malle: That's his full name? Matthew Henson: That's his full name. Chloe Malle: Got it. Matthew Henson: We went to Eli's studio- Chioma Nnadi: 'Cause his studio's in- in a- Matthew Henson: Venice. Chioma Nnadi: ... in Venice, right? Matthew Henson: Mm-hmm. Chioma Nnadi: Venice. Matthew Henson: Very beautiful studio. Chloe Malle: California, not Italy. Matthew Henson: Not Italy. Chloe Malle: Correct. Matthew Henson: Yeah. And, um, we had a really great conversation and it kind of snowballed from there. I think one thing to figure out was the tuxedo, because, you know- Chioma Nnadi: Oh right, so there was a tuxedo underneath? Matthew Henson: There was a tuxedo underneath, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: 'Cause it-... to sit down and- Matthew Henson: So you have to re-watch the video, 'cause there was a reveal, a full drop of the quilt. Chioma Nnadi: I'm so sorry, I forgot. Matthew Henson: It was tuxedo time. Chioma Nnadi: Ah. Chloe Malle: I remember that, all right. Matthew Henson: Gotta go back and watch. Chloe Malle: All right. Chioma Nnadi: I know. Matthew Henson: It was very dramatic. It was a reveal. Chloe Malle: I just think of that yellow sw-... it's like- Chioma Nnadi: Me too. Chloe Malle: ... he's wearing a big snuggie. Matthew Henson: And the story on that quilt is that Eli is a purveyor and collector of vintage from all over the world and that was something that he had found at this vintage shop, and it has such a long story. Like after we- Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: ... used the quilt, because obviously, you know, what's- what's more American than a quilt? Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Matthew Henson: So once the quilt actually made it to the red carpet, the-... I think it was the grandchildren of the original owner and maker of the quilt saw the quilt, they were just like "Oh my gosh." Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: And it contributed to this other story about sustainability and re-using things, because it was a found object. It was not made, there was no new garment cut. It was something that already existed that worked well with the visual that we were doing. Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Chloe Malle: So you were just talking about how Eli collects vintage. Matthew Henson: Yes. Chloe Malle: But I think you also... quite a collection. Matthew Henson: Which is a problem. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: But luckily there's- Chloe Malle: Where do you keep it? Matthew Henson: Uh, the-... luckily there's always storage unit open in New York City, so... Chloe Malle: [laughs] Matthew Henson: But yeah, I just really started maybe about eight months ago. Well, I've been collecting fashion since I was maybe in seventh grade. Chloe Malle: Oh wow. Matthew Henson: Um... my mother and father are very well dressed. Chloe Malle: Men's fashion or women's fashion? Matthew Henson: Men's. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: I had been looking at Versace collections from the '90s for research for a project that I was working on and I kinda just got really into a- a rabbit hole on Gianni's personal style. Nothing about the clothes he created. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: Just his personal style. Chloe Malle: Hmm. Matthew Henson: And so I started doing, like, uh, this was like weeks of like- Chloe Malle: This is Gianni Versace. Matthew Henson: Gianni Versace, sorry, I should be using full names. Chloe Malle: No. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: Um... obviously one of the greatest designers we've ever had on this planet. But his personal style was incredible. Chioma Nnadi: How would you describe his personal style and what stood out to you? Matthew Henson: It's literally, like, exactly what I wanna wear every day. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Matthew Henson: It's like, he wore like a white T-shirt, a really great fitting pair of pants or jeans 95 percent of the time. It doesn't matter whether he- he was going to the Met, to a black tie gala or to dinner, he's wearing blue jeans. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. I love that. Matthew Henson: With some type of white top, white tee, white T-shirt, which is literally how I've been dressing for the past four years. And a blazer. He even added a vest here and there. I'm just like, this man really understood, like, simplicity. He always looked really chic, regal, pulled together, but also very chill. Like it was- Chloe Malle: Yeah. Matthew Henson: ... you know, he- he was great. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, he really was. Matthew Henson: And so... Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: Once I stopped that project, I found myself buying everything I could find. Chloe Malle: That he had worn or that he had designed? Matthew Henson: What he designed that I would wear. Chloe Malle: And did you bid on anything at [inaudible 00:28:46]? Matthew Henson: I did. I bid on three things. I- I think on bid, unlike most people, I didn't watch, I didn't pay attention, I just hoped it would work out for the best. Chloe Malle: So you put your max bids and walked away? Matthew Henson: Put my max bid, put my max bid, which I didn't win anything, so my max was- Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: ... not the best. Chloe Malle: Not enough. Matthew Henson: But I bid on a Chanel jacket, I bid on one of the croc Prada jackets. And I bid on- Chioma Nnadi: Ooh, they're so [inaudible 00:29:08]. Matthew Henson: I know. Juice. Chloe Malle: You didn't wanna go back and look at how much they sold for? Matthew Henson: I didn't because I didn't wanna feel inadequate. Chioma Nnadi: That you just missed it by $50. Matthew Henson: I also didn't w- Chloe Malle: That's the worst. Matthew Henson: Which is what happened for two of them, I missed by like a hundred bucks. Chioma Nnadi: Oh, you're kidding. Chloe Malle: Oh, so you did look? Matthew Henson: Afterwards. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: 'Cause it sh- it shows you the final bidding price, it sends you an email to say that you did not win. Chioma Nnadi: Oh, ouch. Matthew Henson: Um, and the third thing I bid on was this white Versace button down shirt. Chioma Nnadi: I love that you said that your- your mother and father were very well dressed. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Are they the reason that you fell in love with fashion and- and tell us about what they would dress like and what- what your family upbringing was like? Matthew Henson: I used to spend a lot of time with my mom on the weekends. Uh, she worked Monday through Friday, pretty normal schedule, but on the weekends she really enjoyed herself with her friends and also a big part of it was she is a very well put together woman, and so Saturday would be her day to shop. So she would wake up in the morning, clean up a bit, and then she'd get dressed, she'd look great, and then she'd shop for maybe, like, maybe six hours. Chloe Malle: Every weekend? Matthew Henson: Every weekend. Chloe Malle: Wow! Chioma Nnadi: Six hours? Matthew Henson: Not only was she buying things that were currently for sale she would, you know, wanna go to, like, Jersey Gardens to go to Daffy's to go to the- Chloe Malle: Wow. Matthew Henson: ... to go to the outlets, you know? Chioma Nnadi: Leaves no stone unturned. Matthew Henson: She-... no stone unturned. And then also she would wear vintage and buy vintage. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Yeah, because wearing vintage in-... back then wasn't a thing really? Matthew Henson: No. And my dad, they both worked in the medical profession. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Matthew Henson: So, um- Chioma Nnadi: So they had to wear, like, kind of white- white coat- Matthew Henson: Yeah, like very- Chioma Nnadi: ... very-... not- Matthew Henson: Mm-hmm. Chioma Nnadi: ... a- a- a uniform. They had to wear a uniform. Matthew Henson: Yeah. And my dad wore a lab coat. Chioma Nnadi: Hmm. Matthew Henson: So I remember, like, he'd do his thing all week and work, Saturday was his day, don't bother him, and Sunday was his day to, like, iron and press all of his laundry. Chloe Malle: Oh wow. Chioma Nnadi: Oh my God. Matthew Henson: But not in a normal way. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: Literally like a dry cleaner, like a whole bottle of starch. Chloe Malle: Wow! Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: Like clothes that never lost their form. Like, very sharp man. Chioma Nnadi: Wow. Matthew Henson: Which I did not catch that bug, because I do not iron clothes. I roll out bed- Chioma Nnadi: No way, I don't wanna iron anything. Matthew Henson: ... looking however. Oh my gosh, like, I did not pick up that bug. Chloe Malle: Oh my God, I was reading your-... the New York Times profile of you for a few years ago and you said that usually you're confused for a messenger when it's not- Matthew Henson: Always. Chloe Malle: ... Fashion Week [laughs] because you're just- Matthew Henson: Oh my gosh. Chloe Malle: ... dressing up. Matthew Henson: That is... I'm not- I'm not gonna do it. I get it, there are people that- that do that and they do that very well, I'm not one of those people. I just have to leave the house. Hopefully in the best form as possible but it doesn't always happen that way. Chloe Malle: Do you have a uniform? Like... Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: White tee. Chloe Malle: Okay. What brand? Where do you get 'em? Matthew Henson: Or a black tee. A really good friend of mine is starting a brand that hasn't launched so it doesn't make sense to talk about it. Chloe Malle: All right. Matthew Henson: But he makes literally the perfect white tee, I will update you guys or you can DM me if you wanna know. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Matthew Henson: He'll sell 'em to you. Um... he makes the best white tee. Also Prada makes the s- Chioma Nnadi: Oh really? Matthew Henson: ... uh, like, the best white tee. They oddly come three in a pack. Good luck finding them, 'cause I think I hit every city in this country buying them. Chloe Malle: How? Matthew Henson: Like it's like the best white tee. The- the- Chioma Nnadi: What- what- Matthew Henson: ... fit of it- Chioma Nnadi: Right. Matthew Henson: ... the weight of the cotton, there's two version, there's the cotton and then there's a cotton stretch. I prefer the cotton. Just the way that it lays on the body, it's light. It's like got this- Chioma Nnadi: Ha! People who love white tees, love white. Chloe Malle: It's a whole thing. Chioma Nnadi: Like, it's a whole thing. Matthew Henson: It's a whole thing. It's a re-... to me it's a- Chioma Nnadi: It's a whole thing. Matthew Henson: ... whole- it's a whole world. Chloe Malle: Wow. Matthew Henson: Like, I can talk about white tees forever. Chioma Nnadi: You're not alone. Matthew Henson: Levi's, black shoes, black boots. Chioma Nnadi: Love a Levi's. Matthew Henson: And like just a jacket. What more do you need? Chioma Nnadi: Nothing. Matthew Henson: Nothing, right? Chioma Nnadi: But do you have a huge closet of the same things or do you have a very small closet with- Matthew Henson: I moved- I moved from like a three bedroom apartment to a one bedroom apartment so I had to- Chioma Nnadi: Oh, you had to downsize? Matthew Henson: ... consolidate and that's the reason why my lifestyle has become very regimented. Chloe Malle: Right. Matthew Henson: Like I just have what I wear day to day in my closet and nothing extra. Chioma Nnadi: Oh that's amazing, I wish I was like that. It's not like that. Matthew Henson: But you know, I have some fun things in there that spice it up but it's- it's good. It's been a really great thing for me. Used to take me hours to get ready, like I could not figure it out and I would leave the house and not feel confident still- Chioma Nnadi: Hate that. Matthew Henson: ... 'cause I had too many options. And now it's like, you've got this, you've got that, get out. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: So I'm curious about h-... the first time you met A$AP, because I hear that that was- Chioma Nnadi: Mm-hmm. Chloe Malle: ... a fun moment- Matthew Henson: Yeah, um- Chloe Malle: ... of him saying he does not like stylists. Matthew Henson: We met on the set of Complex. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: Um... and it was a cover- Chloe Malle: So back in those days, that what you talking about? Matthew Henson: Back in those days, 2012. Um, the theme of the cover was Basquiat and Warhol, that famous photo of- of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat sitting next to each other- Chioma Nnadi: Oh, yes, yes, yes. Matthew Henson: ... um, with the box of gloves. Chioma Nnadi: I remember that cover. Matthew Henson: So this was at a time when Jeremy Scott was launching his first Adidas collaboration and Rocky and Jeremy had a preexisting relationship and they had been really good friends. So we played off of those caricatures. Rocky played Jean-Michel and Jeremy played Andy Warhol. We were only shooting the Adidas collection, that's it. No other clothes, just Jeremy Scott for Adidas, so that's all that was on set. So, uh, he came on set and they were like "Do you wanna walk him through the clothes?", I said "Of course." So I'm walking him through the clothes and he's like "Yeah, this is cool, but, like, it's so, like, you got these clothes 'cause you thought I would like them." He was like-... he's like "Stylists are so, like, predictable." And I was just like "Huh?" Like... you know, we're here to do this one specific thing, you know? If I- if I have a moment to flex my muscle, like, I have some additional things that are outside of this scope. You know, he was very new to the industry. Chioma Nnadi: Fun fact, I remember going to a Opening Ceremony sample sale and he was shopping there, before he blew up. Matthew Henson: He's got the most- Chloe Malle: Oh I love that. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. And I'm- Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... and he was about the same size as my boyfriend at the time and I made him try something on. 'Cause I was like, "I think you're about the same size. Can you try- Chloe Malle: Oh my gosh. Chioma Nnadi: ... this on?" Chloe Malle: What was it? Chioma Nnadi: He totally did it. Can't remember that now. Chloe Malle: And did you get it? Chioma Nnadi: I didn't buy it. Chloe Malle: Did he buy it? Matthew Henson: Maybe. Chioma Nnadi: He bought stuff. He's literally li-... I mean, he shops like he- he's genuinely a fashion fan. Like he- Matthew Henson: If I never worked with him another day in my life, it wouldn't matter who would come and go. Like, he has the best personal style. He has the most- Chioma Nnadi: He has great personal style. Matthew Henson: ... discerning eye. It's kind of incredible to see how someone knows what works and what doesn't work for them. And he, even when taking a risk, like, he looks incredible in things. His confidence is like obviously through the roof and that helps. But he just has a really great eye. He can find the right piece and it's- it's gonna, like, have the most impact. Chloe Malle: Okay, so I've been loving some of the, like, paparazzi photos of him and Rihanna and the baby, like going to Georgio Baldi, which is- Matthew Henson: Mm-hmm, yeah. Chloe Malle: ... one of my favorite restaurants in LA also. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chloe Malle: Uh, are you helping with his like day to day- Matthew Henson: No. Chloe Malle: .... paparazzi looks? Like that's all him? Matthew Henson: No. No. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: He is his own stylist, you know? He doesn't need a stylist. I'm very fortunate to be able to collaborate with him on things. But like he is his own entity. And then also through the travels and through the work, there's so many clothes that end up being in his possession. He has an arsenal of things that will last him a lifetime. Chloe Malle: Have you held baby Rocky? Matthew Henson: No [laughs]. No. I-... you know, the, um, for the British Vogue thing, actually Rocky's styling the baby. Chloe Malle: Oh my gosh. Matthew Henson: All the baby's-... uh, all the baby's outfits are him. Chloe Malle: No! Chioma Nnadi: No! Matthew Henson: Yeah. He's like, you- you should never, like- Chloe Malle: Chimoa's gonna have like a- a nervous breakdown. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: She's gonna have a- Matthew Henson: Yeah, if you need to send- Chioma Nnadi: It makes sense, I mean... Matthew Henson: ... clothes, I-... if there's a request for a custom [inaudible 00:36:08] to make custom, you gotta go through the man himself. Because he's overseeing- Chioma Nnadi: Oh, I'm dying. Matthew Henson: ... the creative direction of- of the baby. Chioma Nnadi: Oh my God. Matthew Henson: And he's incredible at it. You know? Like it's- Chloe Malle: The creative direction of the baby. Chioma Nnadi: I'm sure he enjoys it. I mean, they both- Matthew Henson: Yeah, I mean- Chioma Nnadi: ... love fashion so much. Matthew Henson: Yeah. They're incredible. I think the three of them together is incredible. Chioma Nnadi: It's dynamite. Matthew Henson: I always say the holy trinity. Chloe Malle: Edward [inaudible 00:36:26] styled the cover shoot of Rihanna- Matthew Henson: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Chloe Malle: ... with Rocky and the baby, and the baby in the belly that we did not know about yet. Matthew Henson: [inaudible 00:36:33] didn't know about that. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, the baby was cooking at that moment. Chloe Malle: Mm-hmm. Chioma Nnadi: Still cooking. Chloe Malle: Still cooking. Matthew Henson: Yeah, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: You've helped put me on to so many des-... menswear designers that I didn't know. Who are you feeling right now? I loved the- the- the l-... the red leather look that you- Matthew Henson: On from Earnest? Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... was that for-... that was for Gra- Gra-... yeah. Matthew Henson: Yeah, for Pharell, he went to the Grammys. Chioma Nnadi: That was so good. Chloe Malle: Right, I know what you're talking about. Matthew Henson: His wife Helen wore a matching set that was kinda like- Chloe Malle: Yeah, what was the designer again? Matthew Henson: ... studded. Ernest W. Baker. Chioma Nnadi: Ernest W. Baker. I thought it was- Matthew Henson: Remember the name. Chioma Nnadi: ... fantastic. Matthew Henson: He-... you know, the team at Ernest W. Baker is... Chioma Nnadi: Because everyone else n-... obviously- Matthew Henson: Yeah, the guy's at GQ would know. [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: ... the people on the fashion team knew and I was like-... I was [inaudible 00:37:04]. Matthew Henson: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: 'Cause I'm not so well versed in mens. Matthew Henson: Yeah, yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Uh, but I always am like if Matthew knows, then I better start finding out. Chloe Malle: Any of your clients also like the playing around? Like, if you said to Pharell "We're gonna do this a different color," he'd be like "Oh yeah, I want it in red," blah, blah, blah? Matthew Henson: He is the king of the spectrum. Chloe Malle: Okay. Matthew Henson: Like, he loves color. He's obsessed with colorful. He has a masterful eye of color. He can tell you like a Pantone- Chloe Malle: Oh wow. Matthew Henson: ... like no one else. And he's big on Pantone. It's so specific, color is so specific for him. Chloe Malle: So... what does that mean? You know, without revealing anything, but what do you think his direction is going to be for Louis Vuitton? Matthew Henson: Um... at first I would say that I think he is someone who is perfect for that job. He's done so many projects with them and collaborations with them prior to it becoming like a real thing where celebrities or musicians were doing collaborations with brands. He had done it before anybody had done it and nobody was really paying attention, but they know the product. Um, he had been in their campaigns years ago. I remember, like, he did this one incredible look where he wore one of their suits and like a big fur on the red carpet, just like... what he's doing is gonna be very different. I think everybody is going to be very taken aback and also very satiated, because he's got a long... like a long history with design underneath his belt. And I think a lot of the stuff, if you look at his- his personal style from those days and even now, he's informed a generation. So I think this is just an extension of that. Chloe Malle: All righty. Matthew, thank you so, so much. Chioma Nnadi: Oh Matthew, it was so great to have you. Chloe Malle: This was so fun. Matthew Henson: Thanks for having me, I appreciate it. Chloe Malle: That's it for this episode of The Run-Through. Chioma Nnadi: The Run-Through with Vogue is a production of Condé Nast Entertainment. The show is produced by Suzie Lechtenberg and Chelsea Daniel. Chloe Malle: It's engineered by Jake Lumus and Gabe [inaudible 00:38:51] and mixed by Mike [inaudible 00:38:53]. Chioma Nnadi: See you next week. Chloe Malle: Bye.