07 01 2014 Academy of Art University Newspaper V1

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER July 7, 2014 Circulation 115,000 Features on Konstantina Tzovolou, Gigi Ouf, Ghazaleh Khalifeh, Elizabeth Prost http://www.academyart.edu/

san francisco | academy of art university |

July 2014 volume 1 | page 17

STYLE SOPHIA AMORUSO

The #GIRLBOSS of Nasty Gal

Courtesy of Sophia Amoruso.

By Keanan Duffty

Courtesy of Sophia Amoruso.

In only a few years, Nasty Gal has grown into an online retail phenomenon with a progressive fashion forward following and over $100 million in revenue, annually. The company developed from humble beginnings; its founder and CEO, Sophia Amoruso, worked at Academy of Art University and sold vintage clothing online.

“In 2006, I was working at the Academy of Art University’s 79 New Montgomery St. building, checking student ID’s and directing them to the correct floor. That was were I discovered, during some late nights, that I was getting requests on my MySpace page from eBay followers for the vintage clothing that I was selling. I held the Academy of Art University job for about three months. I was 22 and never held a job for longer than that, before I started Nasty Gal,” Amoruso shared. “I love the photographer Diane Arbus, and I wanted to go to art school myself, but it was so expensive that I never made that happen. So I decided to leave my job at the Academy and start Nasty Gal.”

The New York Times recently stated, “If ever there were a Cinderella of tech, Sophia Amoruso might be it.”

Having created a cult following with her early vintage venture on eBay, Amoruso saw a tipping point and realized that she was onto something bigger.

“I was on one of my frequent buying trips to L.A. I was buying vintage there, mostly, and I was watching the bids on eBay for my vintage. One day I made $2,500, and I never made that much money before. I thought, “Oh my God! I’m rich!”

Amoruso is passionate about evolving her creative team and the Nasty Gal brand, and she continues to be deeply involved in every aspect of the business. Her team is clearly on board with the Nasty Gal message and aesthetic. “No one is joining the company and thinking, this is ‘my’ thing,” Amoruso said.

Where does Amoruso see Nasty Gal in 10 years time?

“We have a big brand, but the awareness is not there yet, and the [brick and mortar] stores are definitely not there yet.”

That’s all about to change with the opening of the first brick and mortar Nasty Gal

store in Fall 2014. When asked if there are any retailers in the history of fashion that she admires and might influence the way Nasty Gal interprets physical stores, Amoruso cites Biba, the iconic 1970s London fashion store, described as, “A jumble sale in the Pleasure Dome of Kubla Kahn.”

“Biba had incredible taste and felt special. When you shop today everything feels very commercial,” said Amoruso.

Amoruso recently debuted her highly anticipated book, “#girlboss,” and was named “Fashion’s New Phenom” by Forbes magazine. “#girlboss” is a highly personalized story that offers insights on entrepreneurship and career advice for young women. What does Amoruso hope will be the big take away from “#girlboss” for AAU students?

“That the straight and narrow is not the only way.

Be the best version of yourself. Don’t compare yourself with other people.”

Keanan Duffty is the Senior Director of Fashion Merchandising at Academy of Art University.

page 18 | July 2014 volume 1 | academy of art university | san francisco

STYLE DEANNA WARDLEY

Deanna Wardley named 2014 MAG Student Award winner

“Untitled,” 2014. This series of necklaces is influenced by natural geometry and repetitive pattern. Materials include copper, silver, enamel, steel, plastic and rubber. Photo by Deanna Wardley.

Courtesy of the Metal Arts Guild At this year’s Spring Show, Academy of Art University jewelry and metal arts student Deanna Wardley was recognized as the 2014 MAG Student Award winner.

In 2013, the School of Jewelry and Metal Arts partnered with the Metal Arts Guild to highlight the impressive work of their students.

As part of Spring Show, a special guest juror, usually an esteemed artist from the metal arts field, reviews student submissions and helps select the eventual MAG Student Award winner. This year’s special guest juror was artist Sandra Enterline, who describes her jewelry as being “reminiscent of industrial relics.”

Wardley, who will be starting her senior year at

AAU, received $150, plus a yearlong membership to the Metal Arts Guild. Read on to learn more about what intrigues Wardley about her chosen craft, her inspirations within the metal arts field and advice she would give to prospective students.

Q: What led you to study metalsmithing and jewelry making?

A: When I came to the school my experience was mostly in painting and mixed media, but I quickly fell in love with sculpture and three-dimensional artwork. I tend to create sculpture that is small and intimate, so when I discovered jewelry making it felt very natural to me.

Q: What intrigues you most about this field and craft?

A: I love the idea of a piece of

“Anhydrous,” 2013. These pieces combine natural texture and pattern inspired by desert terrain. Materials include silver, bone, wood and coral. Photo by Deanna Wardley.

art being worn and treasured by the viewer. Something that’s worn on the body becomes very personal and special, so I’m attracted to that personal connection. I also love the problem solving that presents itself while creating a functional piece of art.

I love solving puzzles and I think that’s a big part of what attracts me to making jewelry.

Q: What are your plans after graduation, both realistically and ideally?

A: Simply put, I’d like to build my own business selling my jewelry and sculpture. We’ll see what happens, I’ll be happy as long as I’m creating.

Q: What do you wish your school’s program would offer and what did you enjoy about your program?

A: I really enjoy the mixed media courses the jewelry

Courtesy of Deanna Wardley.

department has added. One thing I think I’d like to see more of is collaboration between students in different departments.

Q: Are there any metal artists whose work inspires you, and what is it about their work that is inspiring?

A: Lately I’ve been really inspired by an artist named Terhi Tolvanen. Her work is full of gorgeous textures and references to nature that I find really compelling.

She uses a lot of wood and natural materials. Her pieces are so elegant but also raw at the same time, and I love that about her work.

Q: If you were given the time and means to create

your ultimate work, what would it be?

A: I’ve always wanted to do an art installation or some type of environmental art, like Andy Goldsworthy, so it would be something along those lines.

Q: Any words of wisdom you would offer prospective metal arts students?

A: I would say don’t be afraid to try out new materials or techniques and see what happens. Most of my ideas come from aimless experimenting.

I would also recommend getting out there and looking at as much art as possible.

Find something you like and figure out why it appeals to you. Then try to reinterpret that in your own work.

“Rime Relics,” 2014. This series of brooches emulates natural forms exposed to ice and frost. Materials include copper, silver, nickel, enamel, wood, cement and found objects.

Photo by Deanna Wardley.