X Factor Brian Friedman – The Face of Emmy Collins
Brian Friedman is a Superstar like no other! You may recognise this handsome man as THE X Factor Creative Director and choreographer or perhaps you may remember him from ‘So you Think You Can Dance?’
A talent whose abilities appear infinite; a dancer, choreographer, model and now the face of the Emmy Collins Brand, if there is one guy that knows how to pose, it is Brian Friedman!
Working with the hottest celebrities around, his A list credit list ranges from The King of Pop-Michael Jackson to other musical LEGENDS that include Paula Abdul, Usher, Beyonce and Mariah Carey to name a few!
Superstar Magazine was lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with the man himself at The Emmy Collins Launch in Shoreditch to get the 411 on what it’s like to be the face of Emmy Collins, a fashion icon and how to work an outfit- branded or not!
Read on to discover more!…
Q: Hey Brian! How’s it all going? First of all, congratulations on becoming The Face of Emmy Collins! Tell us about how you and Emmy came to be working together?…
A: Hey, all is great thank you! Emmy actually contacted me through Facebook, he reached out saying that he thought I would be a great muse. He thought I had a great fashion sense and could see me representing the brand. So, he sent me over some stuff to try on and I was in love with it! His designs are not the ordinary, I like taking risks with fashion- as you do yourself!
He asked if I’d do a shoot, it was fun! I was care free and got to live my dream of being a model and felt what it was like to be one!
Q: Great work! So you instantly fell in love with his designs…what would you say attracts you most to his clothes?
A: I love the element of the dandy British tailoring done in the old way. The fabrications, texture, print, there is nothing you can expect, and it is all about the unexpected!
I’m especially a fan of his long coats, the bows, the braces, the elements of the smart dress done in a quirky young way, love it all!
Q: When you are modelling an Emmy Collin’s outfit what image do you try to put across in the pictures?
A: I let the clothes be the guide. For the shoot for example it was all about the setting. At one point they put me in front of the fireplace and immediately
I felt like a gentleman, like in a gentleman club.
Wearing a suit with stripes, there was a black velvet chair, I grabbed it pulled it into the scene and although the poses were made uncomfortable, I felt like Royalty. The mix of clothing was perfect.
Q: From the pictures it looks like it certainly was a very successful shoot! As you now represent Emmy’s brand, what reactions will you expect to get when wearing one of his outfits?
A: I feel expensive. It’s one of those things, I don’t know how to expect nor know how people will view or feel about me…but I know I feel like a million bucks, so American (Grins).
Fashion should make you feel something. It puts me in a playful mood; you need that certain look to make you feel more powerful. As soon as I put his designs on, my face brightens up.
Q: What advice would you give to all our Superstar Fashionista readers?
A: Learn and explore what fashion is, and what it can do for you. You can shop anywhere, garage sales, markets and do things on such a budget. You know in my wardrobe not everything is a brand.
I will do the cheapest of cheap and mix it with something pricey. I don’t try to impress the fashion. You may make some fashion disasters but as long as you own them, you’re good!
Q: You started working professionally at a very young age, do you think teens who have begun their passionate career path early have an advantage over their adult competitors?
A: Yes, I started working professionally very young, when I was 12 years old. My mum quit her job so I could chase my dream.
I was able to learn a lot at a young age. Definitely if I hadn’t started at that age, I wouldn’t be where I am at now, I probably would have got there in my late 40s, this all wouldn’t have happened in my 30s.
The advantage of starting young is its like going to school for the rest of your life! Most people graduate and then start learning. However some then make mistakes. Starting young you make the mistakes at an earlier stage and learn from them before it becomes important. I made mistakes when I was younger; I was exposed at a young age and was able to learn from them which I would say yes definitely gives you an advantage in the industry.
Q: What about your dancing skills? Do you think being a dancer gives an advantage when modelling and vice versa?
A: I would say there is a hindrance and advantages too. You already have the grace, the fluidity and the ability to pose. However, sometimes it is that intensity in your body that can break the photo and come across to the camera as too contrived.
Being a dancer in the younger years, doing photo shoots I was always thinking and trying so hard. I learned a lot especially from watching Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model- Knowledge is power.
You can get tutorials on anything and you will gain a lot of knowledge on how things work.
Now at photo shoots I model but my training does come in very useful for creating different shapes and movements. Recently, I just did a shoot for my app- ‘iDance’…coming up very soon!
It was a green screen shoot, set in the Sahara I’m wearing a hat with deer antlers and a massive military style outfit with gladiator armour! I did the photo shoot hanging on the board of a bed frame, the position looks inhuman!
It is at times like these when I think, thank God I’m a dancer otherwise if I wasn’t we wouldn’t have got the same shot or result. I felt like my modelling bug was achieved!
Q: Awesome! So,Brian, we’re now gearing towards that last month of the year! What’s next up for you and what are you plans for the rest of 2010?
A: Well at the moment, I’m very busy with X factor. 17 days left of work and then I’ll be taking a break!
For inspiration you need to have life! I haven’t had a holiday in 3 years that hasn’t involved work or visiting family. I’ll be taking on Tahiti, Fiji and I am ready to conquer the world of it!
Emmy Collins Official Website
Follow Brian Friedman on Twitter
Images: YQ Photography
Eve-Yasmine’s Wardobe: Anoosh
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