Ep. 98: Fashion Designer Scott Sternberg
Fashion designer Scott Sternberg just wants to feel it. He grew up in Ohio, watching MTV and living an idyllic-ish childhood with requisite darkness. After an economics degree and a stint as a Hollywood agent, he was informed that he was a fashion designer. His first label, Band of Outsiders, was a cult success, but grew to be unsustainable. Now, with his new label Entireworld, he’s doing things differently and incorporating lessons learned. Oh and he’s available - must love dogs, PowerPoint and weekends.
Follow Entireworld on Instagram and visit their website at theentireworld.com.
What is your earliest memory?
I’ve convinced myself that my first memory was at around age 4 or so. I was stung by a bee for the first time at a friend's birthday party and my best friend’s mom took care of it with such warmth and calm and focus. It’s always stuck with me.
How do you feel about democratic design?
I feel compelled to achieve it, although with apparel it’s especially challenging to do so within the context of each piece - price elasticity, individual style, varying body types, and geography/climate are all in play.
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?
When you open a store, make it small; otherwise, you’ll have to fill it with more stuff than you could possibly make well. I completely ignored this of course.
How do you record your ideas?
ME: “Hey Siri. Email myself.”
SIRI: “Okay, Scott. What would you like the email to Scott Sternberg to say?”
ME: “Pop up shop with clowns in the summer.“
SIRI: “Okay, Scott, sending your email 'Mop up the floor with crowns and butter’."
What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?
As far as tools, I am a PowerPoint loyalist and have been for years. I utilize it for everything - graphic design, textile design, video storyboards, of course various brand and business presentations - its limits are its strengths.
What book is on your nightstand?
Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
Why is authenticity in design important?
There’s just too much stuff out there that there’s no room for anything inauthentic at this point.
Favorite restaurant in your city?
Speranza. A local Italian spot in Silverlake.
What might we find on your desk right now?
Two books on Alexander Girard, a clipboard with my list of to dos, a jug of water, and my dog Zod.
Who do you look up to and why?
Charles and Ray Eames. They lived and worked with such incredible vision, integrity, optimism, and taste.
What’s your favorite project that you’ve done and why?
My favorite project is always changing and is usually the last project that I completed. In this case, a video campaign I shot for Entireworld with a company of modern dancers here in LA.
What are the last five songs you listened to?
“Love Song” Lana Del Rey
“Normal F*cking Rockwell” Lana Del Rey
“Patchwork” Laurie Spiegel
“Cellophane” FKA Twigs
“Peace Piece” Bill Evans
Clever is produced by 2VDE Media. Thanks to Rich Stroffolino for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.