Magpie Interview

Magpie is a small cute store located in South Park down the street a bit from local watering hole Whistle Stop. A regular stop among many at any and all South Park walkabouts it has been a staple for young fashionistas in San Diego over the past 3 years weather it is for a vintage one of a kind or some new lines no one else in town had. I met up with their new owner to interview her about great reasonably priced denim, her new line and what inspires her.

Tell us a little History of Magpie and how you became the new owner.
Magpie was opened by David and Meegan Cuzick over 3 years ago. Hashem (my boyfriend) and I lived in South Park at the time and were frequent customers of Magpie and jumped on the opportunity when we heard they were selling the business. We strongly believe in keeping the small business alive and really didn’t want to see yet another local business close its doors. Coming from NYC, it’s very important to us to keep that independent spirit alive.

I saw a denim line in their called Blank Jeans. Super cute- where are they from?
Blank is a new denim company based out of New York. They are really one step ahead of trends, and the pricepoints are AMAZING - $65 for a pair! It’s the new wave of denim - it’s rediculous to think people are ok with spending over $200 on jeans.

I noticed a sewing machine in the back – do you do alterations for customers?
Not only do I do alterations, but my main passion is designing clothes. Many of my pieces are for sale in Magpie, and I’m in the process of finding a manufacturer for my label - I am running out of time and hands!

Tell us about your label!
The label is called Sy, and yes it is here in the store. I recently entered a collection into GenArt L.A., did a fashion show last night for TNT at the Contemporary Art Museum downtown, and have meetings with various showrooms in LA and NYC this fall.

Tell me about this your art show on display right now, and the one coming up next month.
Our art installation for the month of October is featuring L.A. based artist Emma Goo, which opens 10/6/07, which is the same night as the Autumn SP Walkabout. Definitely worth checking out! As for the show following, it will be our annual holiday group show, featuring a big list of artists from here to NYC. That show opens December 1st, will run through January 15th.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
My first inspiration always derives from a particular band or album, usually something from the last 20 years that has been iconic in one way or another. I listen to it again and again and just start doing sketches or brainstorming. But this is just one way! I also keep tabs on what is happening in New York of course, but imagine what the next step will be. I definitely take cues from what is happening culturally, globally. The greatest thing about fashion in the present and the future is that designers are constantly looking for new or slightly different ways of doing something that has already been done before. It’s definitely challenging!

What is your favorite item in your store right now?
The Blank skinny jeans in Teal, Lavender, Acid Washed, and a gross 90’s Blue.

Who are your style icons?
The classics, of course: Coco Chanel, Miuccia Prada, Paul Poiret, Cristobal Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent. Presently, I really love Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Alice Temperley, Luella Bartley, Ports 1961. Many more designers! But these are just some examples.

How would you describe your personal style?
First and foremost I try not to get to heavily involved with the latest trends. I definitely pay attention to them, but ideally I love to push it a little and think about what direction it will head towards in the upcoming seasons. I never go over the top, though. I stick to basics like really great jeans, lots of black and white, and try to focus more on how to accessorize my outfits. You can save a lot of money this way! I think my hair is my greatest accessory, I always have the best cuts due to my fabulous hair-cutter of a boyfriend (who works at Jet Rhys.)

Who is the typical Magpie customer?
A girl or a guy who wants to find something that not everyone else is going to be wearing, and they also don’t want to spend and arm and a leg for a piece or two of clothing. We strive to keep prices below $150 per piece and we have extremely positive feedback because of this. It’s not LA or New York - so you can’t charge LA or New York prices in San Diego.

Besides Magpie – what’s your favorite spot in South Park?
Easy. Vagabond Kitchen!!!

What is your favorite trend for Fall o7?
I love high-waisted, wide-leg jeans. It’s about time! Anything with studs. Basic clothes with great accessories like brightly colored tights or jewelry.

What 3 things do you think every lady should have in their wardrobe right now?
1) Blank Jeans.
2) Turquoise opaque tights.
3) A mulitude of little black/white dresses.

Any last words?
Yeah! Don’t shop at the mall.