Inside the minds of Nashville fashionistas

WHAT’S THIS?

The Arbitrarian Questionnaire is adapted from Vanity Fair magazine’s popular Proust Questionnaire — a regular list of questions posed to various cultural icons. The original queries upon which the VF column is based were famously administered to the late French author Marcel Proust. My fashion-centric take on VF’s version of the original will run on an irregular basis, featuring different stylish Nashvillians

The Abegg sisters

My first encounter with the Abegg sisters was in February, when Jemina and Pierrette stopped by my vintage clothing booth at the GasLamp Antique Mall.

I recognized Jemina right off the bat as the lead singer of Be Your Own Pet, a local punk band with international acclaim. Pierrette, I found out after introducing myself, was her older sister, East Nashville roommate and a graphic designer.

Everything about these two was so cool — from how they were dressed (vintage made modern) to the confident but approachable way they carried themselves. I loved that they both devoted themselves to occupations that fed their need to create.

I was smitten — girl crush central, baby.

So you can imagine my delight when I learned there was yet another creative Abegg sister for me to admire. Alexia — who, like me, is the eldest in a three-girl family — designs clothes, among other artistic pursuits.

It’s kind of wild that I was drawn to Alexia’s work before I ever made the Abegg connection: her collection for O’More School of Design’s spring fashion show was terrific and memorable — so much so that after viewing it online, I tracked her down.

These days, I find myself working with two of the three gals on a regular basis.

Pierrette, who works for the wonderful Heather Dryden at Studio Plush, is designing my new Web site; Alexia has quickly become a trusted fashion collaborator, helping me create knockout outfits for video and photo shoots.

As for Jemina, I’m still trying to figure out how we might work together, seeing as I packed up my bass 15 years ago. (Not to mention that I suck.)

So you can see why, when I decided to add a semi-regular Q&A element to my column focusing on the interests and habits of stylish local folks, deciding whom to spotlight first was a no-brainer.

Without further ado, the fabulous Abegg sisters submit to the Arbitrarian Questionnaire.

Name: Alexia Marcelle Abegg

Age: 27

Occupation:Designer/Artist/Seamstress/Blogger/Student

Name: Pierrette Noel Abegg

Age: 22

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Name: Jemina Pearl Abegg

Age: 20

Occupation: Rock ‘n roller

What’s your signature style?

A: Because I have a love for such a wide spectrum of fashion, I am kind of a chameleon when it comes to a specific look. I would say if anything is my signature style, it would be constantly changing my hair and wearing my latest vintage find.

P: Bold prints, tight jeans, and lots of dunks (aka sneakers).

J: Tight, short and lots of black.

What look do you like to see most worn by a man?

A: The best look on a man is a nice pair of worn-in Levi’s and a sense of humor.

P: Good style with minimal effort.

J: As long as they look like they’re not trying too hard, it doesn’t matter.

What look do you like to see most worn by a woman?

A: I love to see women layering unique pieces in a creative way and carrying a vintage handbag.

P: I appreciate women with style that is unique and vintage clothing that makes me jealous.

J: Vintage clothing that I know I couldn’t pull off.

What’s the worst trend you’ve ever bought into?

A: Stirrup leggings are the absolute worst trend I have ever worn, but I was like 13 so, oh well.

P: Freshman year I had baggy raver pants, purple hair, knee-high combat boots, and wore lots of glitter eye make-up. I’m not sure that any of those were huge trends but it was not a good look.

J: I had a lot of Jnco jeans in middle school.

What Nashville stores do you enjoy shopping the most?

A: The Hip Zipper, GasLamp Antique Mall and every thrift store within a 10-mile radius.

P: Thrift stores, antique stores (especially Flora at GasLamp), Local Honey and Forever 21.

J: Thrift stores and Local Honey.

What’s your dream outfit?

A: Any of the pieces from the most recent Dior show.

P: The graphic sequined mini-dress from Proenza Schouler’s spring collection.

J: Anything from [British designer] Luella’s past two seasons.

What’s your least favorite piece of clothing to see worn by others?

A: I hate seeing a designer item being worn only for the sake of status. It kills me to see someone wearing something totally wrong for them ONLY because it is Marc Jacobs or Chanel.

P: Bad denim. Jeans are amazing and I am glad people are not obsessed with distressing them anymore. Why would anyone pay $200 for jeans that someone poured bleach on?

J: Uggs.

What’s your Nashville spot to people watch?

A: Ahhh, you have to love the Tennessee State Fair for some good old people watching! I’ve never seen so many Tweety Bird tattoos.

P: The flea market.

J: The Tennessee State Fair and thrift stores.

Who are your favorite fashion icons?

A: There are so many great women of style, but I particularly love Sophie Dahl, Helena Christensen, Kim Novak and Winona Ryder. When I was younger I idolized Debbie Harry and Nadja Auermann.

P: Debbie Harry back in the day, Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface, Sharon Stone in Casino and Mia Farrow before Woody Allen.

J: Joan Jett, Debbie Harry and Patti Smith.

Who are other Nashvillians whose styles you appreciate?

A: My sisters.

P: My family and friends.

J: I think all of my friends dress really well.

What recent fashion trend do you dislike most?

A: Boho.

P: Worshipping celebrities and people on best-dressed lists that never even pick out their own clothes. (Celebrity stylist) Rachel Zoe sucks.

J: I hate it when people don’t have their own original style and just copy celebrities.

What look would you never wear but love seeing on others?

A: I absolutely LOVE boxy, girly styles a la [fashion label] Twinkle and [the Web site] Japanese Streets, but I could never wear those silhouettes.

P: High-waisted skirts, jeans and shorts. I don’t have the right body for it.

J: I love puffy high top sneakers, but my feet are too small to wear them.

What do you want to be buried in?

A: I have this awesome pair of black combat boots with great buckle detailing that I have had for over fifteen years. They have a hole worn in the heel and are in no shape to be worn but they would be the perfect shoes to go with a gorgeous black vintage dress I love. It is from the early fifties and is very ‘new look,’ with pink polka dots and a full skirt. I should tell my husband it’s my burial look!

P: My prom dress. My mom made it. She is an amazing seamstress and designer and if I ever get married I want to wear it at my wedding.

J: My leather motorcycle jacket.

What do you have on right now?

A: A black tank, a necklace with a four-leaf clover my sister Pierrette gave me, and my favorite jeans.

P: Pink T-shirt from American Apparel and pajama pants.

J: A black and red dress from American Apparel with my Tennessee state pin.

What items of clothing do you find yourself buying over and over again?

A: Jeans and black tank tops actually. That is so appropriate because that’s what I have on right now.

P: Shoes! I am running out of room for all of them.

J: Anything with sequins and vintage bathing suits

What’s been your biggest fashion splurge?

A: Remember those black combat boots I mentioned from fifteen years ago? Those have been my very biggest fashion splurge. Being one to refashion vintage stuff and make things myself, I have never really been one to spend that much on any one item, although if I added up the costs of all of my stockpiled vintage clothes that I rarely wear I’d probably have a heart attack.

P: I bought a Marc Jacobs leopard print bikini when I was in L.A. It was the only thing in the whole store I could afford.

J: My leather jacket that I got in Japan.

What’s your style motto?

A: Be creative and dress in what makes you feel good, as long as it’s not stirrup pants.

P: Have fun, be original and look hot.

J: Have fun, but be safe with it while still pushing it to the limit.

For more Q&As with the Abegg sisters, please visit my blog: style.nashvillecityblogs.com