So, my husband’s best friend just happens to be a rock star. Or, more accurately a rock star painter.

They are the kind of friends who spent hours in a fantasy world playing
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Brad is the kind of friend who
re-created our wedding invitation on an artist’s easel and envisioned
the cover artwork for Joel’s first book. They are the kind of friends
who sign off, “shade and water” implying “my shade and water is yours.”

I’ve known them both since I was a teenager with toothpick legs. When
Joel and I first started dating, Brad, who worked for a toy designer
and started investing in designer shoes, always offered to take the
bill when we met up for dinner in New Hope, PA. Later, when he dropped
off the grid, concentrating on his band and painting houses and looking
for the next commission piece, we took the tab.

Now, a week after his debut on the international art scene at his first solo exhibition at Arcadia Gallery,
an intoxicating evening filled with old friends, new connections and a
multitude of red dots (one painting short of a sold-out show), Brad
Kunkle, 31, is heading to the country for a well-deserved retreat.

While he awaits the return of one of his model muses at her casting
call, Brad sits in his car, passing the time, answering questions on
matters of style:

DOES YOUR WORK DICTATE THE WAY YOU DRESS?

“The aesthetic sense of my work – color preferences and choices – are
pretty reflective of the clothing that I wear. An overall aesthetic,
that you’ll find in my home and in my work, transfers into my
clothing.”

DO YOU HAVE A “UNIFORM” YOU WEAR WHEN YOU PAINT? “ A pair of jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt.”

WHEN DID YOU FIND YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

“Probably I would actually say, just in the last two years. I’ve always
enjoyed clothing and I really do like fashion. In these last two years,
it’s become apparent what I’m comfortable with, what feels good to me,
what I feel confident in. This realization probably parallels when I
became really comfortable and focused with my work, and life in
general.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY CLOTHING OR ACCESSORIES THAT ARE INTEGRAL TO YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE?

“I have a Versani
bracelet that was given to me that I wear all the time. It’s silver
with a thick chain and looks like something you’d engrave. My other
“signature” is my Rocket Dog brown leather boots that I wear pretty much everyday.”

WHEN SELECTING MUSES FOR YOUR PAINTINGS, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

“I’m
looking for this beauty that is not your everyday. Not average…and
not necessarily a look you’d find all over the magazines. I really try
to find a quality that is closer and transferable to what the work is
about – mystery, evocative; suggesting something supernatural. It’s not
easy to say why. I’m really picky. I can easily decide if someone would
work or they wouldn’t. So far, my models have been people I know and
I’ve had a lot of luck with Model Mayhem, where I found three of my models.”

HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHAT TO WEAR ON THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE?

“What I wore was really close to what I wanted. I knew I wanted to go
with a vest and tie and keep it in brown, warm tones – not blacks. I
shopped around awhile before going into this amazing second-hand store
in Williamsburg called 10 ft. SINGLE. I pretty much bought my outfit
there. The shirt (Banana Republic) and tie I had along with my Rocket
Dog boots, but I found the vintage vest and Levi cords at 10 ft.
SINGLE.”

Brad poses with Philly friends Don and Lurainya as Joel and Jess look on.

HOW ABOUT THE BEARD?

“I always wanted a beard. About two years ago, I was with someone who
liked the beard so it kind of stuck.  I committed to the beard and
figured it would stay with me until I could get all this work done. As
much as I care what I look like, I don’t care what I look like. I just
let my hair grow out. Apparently, I look like Jesus. Just yesterday,
there were little girls peering into my car saying, “Jesus? Jesus?” I’m
focusing on the second coming of Jesus (laughs). Maybe that will be my
next art project…”

STYLE TIP:

For others dressing for the most important nights of their lives, should they step outside their comfort zone and get something

new or wear a favorite go-to look from their closet?

“I would say NOT to step outside of your comfort zone. The most
important person that night is you. Dress to feel comfortable and
confident. Don’t dress up for anyone else.”

Photo: Brad Carney

STYLE MANTRA:

“When my feet hurt from wearing my boots, I switch to New Balance without a second thought.”

THOUGHTS ON MANHATTTAN STYLE VS. BROOKLYN STYLE: “Brooklyn is like living in an American Apparel ad whereas Manhattan is eclectic world fashion.”

FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP / FAVORITE DESIGNERS:

“I like a lot of stuff I can’t afford! Costume National…I
love Alexander McQueen, but obviously wouldn’t wear any of that. My
favorite place to shop right now is 10 ft. Single in Williamsburg and
little boutiques on the Lower East Side. If I had to define my style,
what I want my fashion to be, where one day, I want to buy a custom
suit, is at a store called Against Nature Atelier on Chrystie Street. Amazing men’s suits, leather bags, beautiful, beautiful stuff – all tailored, bespoke.”

Photo: 10 ft. SINGLE by Stella Dallas – vintage store

STYLE CHALLENGE:

“When my favorite t-shirts run out! Laundry is my style challenge.”

MUST-HAVE FOR SPRING:

“A new man-bag. They sell so many great ones on the street here. I’ve been carrying a gray bag from H&M.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR MAN-BAG?

“Laptop, notebook for writing my ideas down and the book I’m reading at the time. Right now, I’m reading Against Nature (note the theme) and Deception Point by Dan Brown.

CELEBRITY LOOKALIKE: “Just Jesus.”

David Yurman

TRUNK SHOW

May 5 / 5-9pm

@ Mayfaire

TROUBADOUR

Spring Collection

just arrived!

Beanie + Cecil

@ Lumina Station

Charleston publicist, Katie Kern of Circa PR, recently attended SCAD Style, being held in Savannah and Atlanta from April 26-May 6 taking in a presentation and meet-and-greet with Style.com Editor Derek Blasberg, fashion PR doyenne Kelly Cutrone, and Decades’ Cameron Silver (photographed at left with Katie Kern).

Katie shares her thoughts with the FASHION FIX on meeting her mentor:

As a PR professional, I found it extremely hard to find someone in my industry that I could aspire to be.  Then along came Kelly.

When I heard that the founder of People’s Revolution
Kelly Cutrone was doing a lecture and book signing in Savannah, I immediately thought, “Road Trip.”  I am a huge fan of Kelly’s
professional work, and I really dig her as a person after reading her book If You Have To Cry, Go Outside (And Other Things Your Mom Never Told You). As a PR professional myself, I really wanted to hear what advice she was going to give SCAD students and other industry professionals.

The lecture hall was completely packed. She appeared to be
extremely shy, but very personable.  After talking to the crowd a
little about the state of the fashion industry and where she thinks its going, she opened up the floor for a Q&A.

Of course, I raised my hand and was immediately handed a microphone and asked her a question I had been pondering for some time.  “My mom told me that I needed to find another job because PR is a dying industry.  Do you think PR is a dying industry?”

She immediately responded, “What does you mom do?”  I replied,
“She’s an executive director for a nonprofit.” She looked at me with
those mama wolf eyes (if you read the book, you will understand
this reference) and said, “Do not listen to your mom. PR is
here to stay, but we have to work smarter.”  She extended an
invitation to visit her office in New York and said she would
provide me with the template of her client contracts because “PR
professionals are always being screwed over by their clients.”

After the lecture, I was one of the lucky ones to get my book signed
with a personal message: “Dear Katie, Be Smart. Not Cool.”  I am
going to take her advice.

Photos:

Left: Fern Mallis, founder of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week with Charleston Magazine

Style Editor Ayoka Lucas Right: Vintage Lacroix from Decades