The New Retro of Megan Gazzo

TO PUT ON A GAZZY BY GAZZO PIECE IS TO SYMBOLICALLY HOIST A BOOMBOX BLARING REFINED NOSTALGIA OVER YOUR HEAD. THEY SAY WHAT YOU WEAR CAN SHAPE YOUR MOOD; IF SO, PREPARE TO GET HAPPY—GAZZY IS FULL OF BRIGHT POPS OF COLOR AND CONFETTI SHAPES, LIGHTENING UP THE VIBE AND REMINDING US TO TAKE OURSELVES A DEGREE LESS SERIOUSLY. THAT’S NOT TO SAY GAZZY ISN’T SERIOUS BUSINESS— FOUNDER MEGAN GAZZO SAT DOWN WITH OPEN COLOR TO TALK SHOP, INSPO, MUSIC, PITTSBURGH, AND MORE.

Photo: clarke leland | @clarklelandmodel: Kayla Ghoulby: Kate Zaliznock

We both spent our childhoods in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (New Kensington, to be accurate, on my end.), and it’s a place that has seemingly evolved by leaps and bounds since I once lived there. How would you describe the Pittsburgh of your youth versus the city that exists today? What were the influences of both eras on you?

When I was a youth in Pittsburgh I was fully submerged in the heavy metal and punk scene. It was all about that industrial steel city angsty vibe. I was in a punk band called The Casuals and we made instruments out of household appliances. I was the screamer of the band. This was an extremely potent outlet for me as a dizzy distraught teen. Pittsburgh to me during my youth was cold, dark and rough around the edges. I don’t know if that’s just because I was an angsty teen (most likely) or what. It was a place that felt like I was on the edge of the Earth and to be honest I couldn’t wait to get out of there. When I head back to Pittsburgh now as an adult my vision has changed. I see a thriving music & theater scene, a rich educational system, and a vibrant community of up-and-coming artists. Pittsburgh was one of those cities when the economic crash happened that provided an affordable environment for artists

to make a big push to move into. The influences that both eras have had on me are that punk, anarchist, befree-or-else attitude that I have finetuned and applied to every corridor of my life. It brought me a great sense of resilience and a need to dream and dream big and hold onto hope and the world of color and magic. My grandfather also worked with Andy Warhol as a youth; there are pictures of them together in the museums. They built motorized displays for department stores together for holidays etc. My grandpa was quite scary, Andy definitely the opposite. I believe this influence has also had a huge effect on me. That in addition to my Italian heritage, and again that I believe anything is possible attitude, even starting in a new land like my great grandparents from Italy did. All of the influences have given me great strength and resilience. Definitely wasn’t an easy place to grow up.

When did you decide to turn your creative passions into a business? Tell us a bitabout that evolution and whether there were any particular highs or lows.

I’ve been a comedian my whole life. It’s all I ever wanted to do. From being class clown, to moving into improv and sketch theater, and most recently into doing workshops etc. I have always had one sole desire: to make the world laugh. This desire has always coincided with my inability to succumb to a job that felt draining of my spirit. I have been in and out of so many jobs unable to perform tasks that feel meaningless or without spirit. That is why I wanted to create something that would support my comedy career that is fun, free, and something I believe in. I think we are living in a sort of dystopic time right now with our current political system, and just the overall atmosphere

of the world feels quite transitional and heavy right now. I think we need more than ever to tap into those feelings from our youth that feel safe and warm and fun. My line brings an immense feeling of nostalgia and magic. It has taken an immense amount of trust and belief. It really is all highs seeing incredible performers worldwide rocking my gear feeling free and happy to express themselves. Lows might be the winter, because business tapers a little, but this winter I have some more stuff in store that’s going to make business pick right up. I’m going to be hitting the Australian market and bringing some winter products to the foreground.

Walk us through a day in the studio. What is your process?

I spend most of my time designing and marketing. I have stitchers and helpers, thank the Lord. A day in the life of the studio is sketching out ideas, making mood boards, sending out packages, and seeking out ambassadors. My process is very much a potato gun approach. It is my goal to get Gazzy to be rocked worldwide and so a day in the life of the studio is mainly reaching out and marketing. I am the visionary behind the company, but I’ve got a solid team to help me realize those visions.

Your statement designs are a combination of nostalgia and forward-thinking cuts. Who would be your dream client to dress?

Definitely Baddy Winkle. She is this incredible influencer that is in her 90’s. She is so beautiful, fun and magical. I have been dreaming of dressing her in Gazzy forever. Illana Glazer is the other dream client for sure. She’s one of my ultimate favs and I think she would just love to wear Gazzy. I actually met her and gave her a huge bag of my stuff, but I haven’t seen her wear it yet. Fingers crossed.

What do you have coming up we should keep an eye out for?

Well let’s let the secret out I suppose - I’m looking to make windbreakers, onepiece ski suits and overalls with my designs as a start into making additional other things non-Lycra. Should be a blast! Can you imagine people ripping up the pow pow in a Gazzy suit? That’s when I know I’ve made it lol.

Who are some of your favorite emerging designers?

I love Lazy Oaf and Frida Las Vegas.

Since this is The Sound Issue, let’s get into music and its influence on your work. What did you listen to growing up? What were some of your most memorable music phases?

I listened to a lot of hip hop growing up. I think you can totally see that vibe in my prints. Very Fresh Prince of Bel Air, very In Living Color. I love and still do love The Roots, Tribe Called Quest, The Grouch, Aliya, TLC, SWV, etc. I definitely went through a serious hip hop phase, then a serious punk/rock phase like Flaming Lips, Mars Volta, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Radiohead... I also remember my Modest Mouse phase. That one lasted forever. I also moved into ambient music hardcore: Bjorn, Sigur Ros, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and my favorite band, MuM. I love Icelandic sounds, bells and whistles. Nowadays I listen to lots of everything, but funk, hip hop, R&B and soul are my favorites.

I think my stuff makes people want to dance and do body movement when they wear it. Something about wearing onesies and Lycra that make you feel invincible. Movement comes hand in hand with feeling this way. You got to move to the music! So many dance performers wear Gazzy so I think it only makes sense.

Who are some artists you would play to a runway?

Frank Ocean, Kendrick, Anderson Paak, Rihanna, Beyonce, Little Dragon. I would definitely play “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred. I would also play The Pussycat Dolls’ “Don’t Cha.”

What are you currently listening to?

I’m listening to a lot of Drake and Hall & Oates. I love yacht rock. It makes me feel really good. I love the song “Kokomo” too by the Beach Boys. Any song that feels happy magic, I’m down.

Who are some emerging musicians we need to listen to more often?

People have to check out Reva DeVito alongside Chanti Darling and The Last Artful Dodgr.