r e J seylicious By Lauren Weigle Photos by Anna Thiessen Makeup by Torrance Forde for Touch Ups
t’s Jersey in the House! Tracy DiMarco, Iwelcome Olivia Blois Sharpe, and Fillipo Giove you into their world of dark tans,
guinea tees, neon stilettos, and big hair. Although not all of New Jersey follows the same dress code, these three thrive on taking the Jersey guide to style to the next level. Always on the hunt for the latest outfit, the sickest shoes, and most stunna shades, these three cast-mates, of the hit Style Network show Jerseylicious, know how to represent, which is why they took the bull by the horns to even style their very own photo shoot for us. Nonetheless, there is more to these three reality stars than meets the eye, as life behind the scenes at the Gatsby Salon is not all filled with the drama that takes place on the show. Take a step inside Jerseylicious, where the attitudes are strong, the personalities are life-size, and style is number one. So, how do you guys feel about all the attention New Jersey has received over the past year or so in terms of all the reality shows; from the Jersey Shore, to the Housewives of New Jersey, to Jersey Couture, to you… Tracy: I think the reason Jersey has gotten picked up so much lately is people see how amazing of a place it is because we really don’t care what anyone has to say about us. Olivia: I feel like we’re really unique, with a style that no one else has and whether you like it or not, we love it. So, I think it’s starting to catch on. Fillipo: I think it’s just the style that they picked up because I’m not actually from Jersey, but they put that kind of style together with Jersey. I wasn’t born here. I’m from Staten Island, New York. Tracy: Well, I think it’s more the tri-state that has its own style. And, New York and New Jersey just have their own kind of people… Olivia: But Jersey girls are different than girls from New York. We’re a lot more flashy and more gaudy, but in a tastefully tacky way. Well, do you ever feel that life in Jersey is sometimes misrepresented on TV or do you feel like it’s pretty much ‘what you see is what you get’? Tracy: I think that the Jersey Shore show misrepresents us a little. It makes it seem like wherever you go, you get into a fight when it’s not always like that. Olivia: Yea, and they weren’t even really from New Jersey at all. Tracy: I mean, I think the Housewives is pretty good because there is a lot of cattiness in Jersey whether
it’s with the kids or with the parents. The moms are always trying to compete for who’s the prettiest, etc. Not everyone’s like that here, but it does happen. Olivia: I mean, I’m sure it’s like that all over, in California or wherever. Everyone’s competitive, but in Jersey, we’re going to voice it. Oh, but I hate when people who don’t live here think we’re dirty. What’s with the dirty Jersey?! What do you feel you each bring to the show, whether you’re representing Jersey style or not? Tracy: I think that I bring the attitude, what people are scared to say out loud, so I’m kind of speaking up for people who won’t speak up for themselves. I’m very protective of my friends, my family, and myself, so if I see something happening that I don’t think is right, I’m not just going to sit back and watch it happen. And, people need to remember that it’s three months of filming cut down to eight hours, so even though everything you see I have done or said, but they’re going to use what they want to use for the show. Fillipo: Just like everybody on the show, I believe we bring entertainment and the funny. Even when she’s nasty, she makes people laugh and I think Tracy’s very funny on the show. Likewise to Olivia. As for myself, I believe I bring a sexy spice to the show. (He laughs.) Olivia: I feel I’m very down-to-earth and a lot of girls can relate to me, especially because the first season I was bullied. A lot of girls can relate to that. I mean, I’m the kind of girl who can stand up for herself when she needs to, but I’m not going to go look for drama. I think it’s important to show younger girls that you can’t let someone walk all over you, but you shouldn’t dwell on it either. Tracy: We also like to showcase our talents on the show, doing makeup and hair. Since we’re on the subject of image, can you tell me a little bit about each of your own personal style? Fillipo: I like to give off the sexy alpha-male image. The fact that I can wear pink proudly and not worry about what anybody’s gonna say about it, ya know? I just like to show off what I got. I work out and I work hard at the gym, so I like to wear clothes that either hug my body or clothes that just reveal my body. I’m proud of what I am. Olivia: I try to be really outgoing. I like to wear stuff that I don’t think anyone else will be wearing even though we all sometimes end up with the same shit. There really needs to be more of a variety of stores in this area. (She laughs.) I like to be really different. If I see something that’s absolutely crazy, I’ll buy it. If something’s ugly, I’ll buy it. I feel like even if someone feels like I have on the ugliest shoes ever, they’re still talking about them…and they may think about it later and think the shoes are actually pretty cool. Fillipo: Yea, if you can pull ‘em off. Olivia: Honestly, as long as you have confidence with whatever you wear, then it looks good. Tracy: Um, I think that my style expresses who I am. I think it’s just an overall thing, that we all try to go over the top, above and beyond; wearing things that we think will be talked about a lot since they’re so out of control. You can’t please everyone, but I’m not looking to please everyone. I’m looking to please myself.
So, everyone pretty much wears anything here, but what do you think is the “typical Jersey style”? Olivia: Go big or go home. Tracy: Just very loud, animal prints, big fake nails. And, the brighter the colors, the tanner you look. Olivia: Yea, neon makes you look crazy tan. I’m talking bright like a street sign. Tracy: Highlighter! Fillipo: If you’re going to move here, definitely get a tanning salon membership. Olivia: Or the gym if you’re a guy. Tracy: Wear big hoops. If your hands can fit through your hoops, you’re good. Olivia: Oh, and really funky shoes. Nothing plain. Is that what you love about New Jersey’s image? Olivia: I just like that fact that we really have no shame. We will wear whatever and we don’t really care. Well, which trends do you think are just “over” and you wish people would stop wearing? Olivia: The freakin’ capris and pumas. Fillipo: Hey, I wore capris the other day. I think capris are still nice. Olivia: As long as they’re not shredded by a cheese grater. Fillipo: Yea, those cut, cut jeans. That’s played out. Tracy: Oh, and Ed Hardy. Fillipo and Olivia: Oh my God, yes. Tracy: It’s ok for a girl who’s in Ed Hardy with her hat and her sweatpants to go to the gym…That’s totally fine. But, guys with their sparkly shirts, their sparkly belts, their sparkly hats…please stop. Olivia: Honestly, the hottest thing for a guy to wear is the guinea tee. For people who don’t live around here, what’s a guinea tee? Olivia: It’s a guy’s tank top. Fillipo: Like a “wife-beater”. I mean, that’s all I wear… wife-beaters, v-necks, t-shirts, guinea tees…all solid colors. Olivia: The hottest outfit for a guy is either a v-neck or guinea tee and some True Religion jeans. Tracy: Yea, fitted ones. Well, what do you think makes people who don’t live here so interested in your type of style and so glued to these shows like yours? Tracy: Well, since we really don’t care about other people’s opinions, I think it scares people because we’re so unpredictable. Fillipo: It’s entertainment. Olivia: Yea, you never really know what to expect. Tracy: Yea, they also want the drama. They want to know that they’re not the only ones in the world with drama. Olivia: Ya know, people love watching train wrecks and we’re just like one big glittery train wreck.
Jerseylicious airs Sunday nights at 8pm on The Style Network