I really had no idea how my alloted 15 minutes with Gok Wan would go. I didn’t write down questions or plan to press him on personal topics or ask things he’d already answered publicly… it just didn’t feel like my style. It went better than I could have ever imagined because we ended up hanging out on the couch and chatting for about 40 minutes! You should know this isn’t an interview or a report or anything like that, it’s a reflection on meeting someone whose soul, in some parts, reflects mine and while he was on this side of the pond I wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek.
I took along
Megan my trusty assistant to help me film the whole interview and she also took the photos of Gok and I together. Note to self: I really need an assistant because they make everything so much easier. We rocked up to
Sheraton at the Park in Sydney CBD and met Gok’s P.A. Mark who escorted us up to their Deluxe Suite on the 17th floor. As soon as I saw him press that elevator button I knew it was a good sign… 17 is my lucky number!
Despite being perfectly dressed with a hair and make up artist on hand I couldn’t imagine a more approachable man. I was visibly nervous and he reached out and touched my hand, that was his gesture to let me know I could be myself, so I was. I shared parts of my passions with him and why I wanted to meet and he genuinely listened and then organically shared his reflections and contributed his own stories. Just like two people getting to know each other, just the way an “interview” should be.
Gok is a man who knows where he is in life, where he’s been and where he wants to go. Working over 100hr weeks, personally managing multiple components of the “Gok Wan” brand all at once as well filming series episodes, writing books, writing columns for several publications, styling A-List clients, designing lingerie, filming a documentary, a spokesman for charities, the list goes on! Megan and I stared eyes open wide at the amount of work he had ahead of him and made us in even more awe of what he has accomplished so far. Apparently caffeine and vacations to Thailand as well as a brilliant support network make anything achievable.
Megan and I listened as he told us all about his new range of Gok Wan lingerie he’s designed with Simply Be over in the UK, I can’t wait to get my hands on some! The designs he described “Japanese dominatrix with petrol blues, inks and merl grey“. Very opulent and glamorous oh and his styles go up to a UK 42GG (Australian 20/22F) and we twisted his arm to make sure he makes shipping available to Australia. He’s promised to send me some and I’m beyond excited, especially if I can look as good as my girl Teer…
GOK SPEAK:
“I never trained in fashion, I think when you learn organically you learn by your mistakes, in fact sometimes your mistakes are you best achievements.”
“I did see a wallaby and it was A-MAZ-ING!”
“I’m always slightly skeptical that I’m going to go and do a show somewhere and no one is going to know me. Are people going to interested in what I have to say… I think it’s a good way to be or I’d probably fall up my own arse, which I don’t want to do, ever! I think it’s healthy to be that way.”
“Not everyone feels the same way we do, (yup, talking about me!) the way we feel about women and celebrating the female form, we’re going up against the fashion industry and retail… We’re going up against many years of brainwashing.”
“The attitudes in europe are dramatically different from here.”
Become a Gokette like me!
Just to look like a total stalker, whilst I was in Brisbane, Dani and I drove over to Chermside to catch the end of Gok Wan’s presentation. Unfortunately we missed it completely but he was still signing lots of autographs and I was lucky enough to snap this gorgeous one before the big burly security guards told me to stop. Just like my interview, he extended the time he spent signing autographs because he didn’t want anyone to miss out. Gok gives everything he does his all, even to strangers.
You can see more before and after photos from the live shows here.
From speaking to random people in the crowd, his show really struck a cord with everyone, even Dani was in awe by how excited people got when they had the chance to hug him. Westfield had little counters set up to showcase the Westfield Style Lounge, a free 15 minute personal styling service anyone can take advantage of, perfect for when you really want to make a change and need professional advice, contact your nearest Westfield for dates and times. No store near you? Never fear, Westfield is here with its ‘Ask A Stylist’ online function where you can ask a Westfield Stylist any style-related question online and receive a response within 24 hours.
So… who would like to win a SIGNED COPY of Gok Wan’s autobiography “Through Thick and Thin“? It’s taken all my strength not to keep it for myself but for those new to the ways of Gok Wan, it needs to be shared. For this competition I don’t want to see your words or wishes, I want to you do something extra special…
Take a photo of what you believe to be your best bodily feature, the part of your body that makes you feel good about yourself, a part you’re especially proud of. I’m not interested in what you don’t like or things you wish you could change, just show me YOU as you are! You can take it on your webcam, on your smartphone, on your iPhone, on a point and shoot, on a polaroid or a DLSR, it doesn’t matter. Just get honest, get creative and show off your best self.
Once you have taken your photo (or got your partner or friend to take it for you), blog about why you love that bit the most and then come back here and add it to the Linky for the wonderful “Danimezza Community” to see. Winner will be drawn a month from now on the 16th of May. I want to stress that this isn’t a modeling competition, your truth is what matters here.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I love it! Such an awesome post, giveaway and people :)
Ames you rock x
Love this post! how exciting for you to meet him and love the pictures you took. Well done!
Dani, you ROCK! BTW the 16th May is my birthday *hint hint* ;p
Holy crap. Teer (is that her name?) looks absolutely AMAZING. That piece is SO flattering. What a beautiful bust design!
Arrgg. Stil havent gotten around to doing the actual post but I am planning on it!!
Kazz
Danielle, is today the last day to enter or can we enter tomorrow also (the 16th)? Are you drawing the winner at the END of the day on the 16th? I can only post my entry tomorrow..
It closes at midday tomorrow
Thank you. :)