Gwen Stefani Gives StyleList the Dirt on Her Latest Projects

Gwen Stefani Gives StyleList the Dirt on Her Latest Fashion and Beauty Projects

We sat down with Gwen Stefani for a one-on-one chat about what’s new in her stylish world.

The multi-tasking fashion designer/singer/beauty trend-setter/hot mama was in New York City to present her knockout Spring 2010 L.A.M.B. collection during Fashion Week and to promote the launch of her Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunnies fragrance (she’s giving the adorable bottles a winter makeover!).

Here, Stefani dishes to StyleList on the new pants she’ll be living in, ditching those long, printed maternity dresses (for awhile, at least) and the Harajuku girls’ outfit update.

StyleList: What inspired you to give the Harajuku girls a new look?

Gwen Stefani: They’re fashion plates (Love’s boots are exact replicas of a pair of Vivienne Westwood’s) — they have to keep changing their clothes! Plus, it’s winter, they needed to get snuggly.

StyleList: How did you come up with the concept for Harajuku Lovers?

Gwen: It was a line I came up with for a song (”What You Waiting For?”). The line was: “I can’t wait to go back and do Japan, get me lots of brand new fans. You Harajuku girls, damn you’ve got some wicked style.” I love Japan and that line is a shout out to all the stylish Harajuku girls.

StyleList: What are the personalities of each Harajuku girl (Love, Angel, Music, Baby and G)?

Gwen: G is me! Love is the sweet, organized, very traditional Japanese girl. Angel is the American Japanese girl, the cheerleader type who grew up in LA, which is why she’s called Angel. Music is the tomboy, who really loves Michael Jackson, she’s an amazing dancer, very confident. Baby is the youngest, she likes to eat a lot (she always has a bag of Japanese snacks) and she likes to complain.

StyleList: What fragrances did you wear growing up?

Gwen: My mom had Chantilly Lace that she always kept on the back of the toilet seat. I wore Love’s Baby Soft growing up and then when I started working at the makeup counter, I got into Eternity and Opium.

StyleList: Are there any specific beauty looks you regret?

Gwen: Not really. I mean, maybe other people thought they were embarrassing, but not to me. I knew exactly why I did what I did — even when I got a perm in the early ’90s.

StyleList: What looks are you excited to rock this fall?

Gwen: I’ll probably be wearing everything from the spring collection! I have to buy a suitcase so I can bring everything back to LA with me. (Editor’s note: Lucky for Gwen, Los Angeles boasts balmy temps year-round). I’ll be living in the black harem pants and all the jackets from the collection.

StyleList: Is there a celebrity you would love to see rocking L.A.M.B.?

Gwen: I always get excited when I see people out there wearing L.A.M.B. It’s just as exciting when someone likes your song or comes to your concert. But truly, I make the clothes for me, and whatever happens after that just happens…

StyleList: Has motherhood changed the way you approach fashion?

Gwen: It changed a lot when I was pregnant! Just before I went on tour, I cleaned out my closet and there are so many maternity clothes I never want to see again. You won’t see me in a long, printed dress for a long time! I still manage to wear heels, as long as I keep a pair of flip-flops in my purse. But it is tough! I wore one of my favorite shredded shirts to the beach with the kids and I got sunscreen all over it and ruined it.

StyleList: Are there any new projects on the horizon you’re excited about?

Gwen: There are so many things happening — it’s crazy! We’re going to continue giving the fragrances new little outfits. We’re going to change up the actual fragrance soon as well. And L.A.M.B is very exciting because we just started working with a new manufacturer, so it’s been a re-birth of the line, starting with the Spring 2010 collection. The collection … turned out so incredible, everyone has been emailing each other about it this morning. It’s very emotional because everyone I work with puts their whole life into it, as do I.