You have the "All on the Line" series on Sundance where you’re kind of like, the Gordon Ramsay of fashion. What were some of your favorite moments from working with that show?
You have the "All On The Line with Joe Zee" series on the Sundance Channel where you’re kind of like the Gordon Ramsay of fashion. What have been some of your favorite moments from that project?
Oh God, is that what they call me!? I’ve had so many memorable moments. For me it’s just whenever they make it and they have a certain level of success, or when a store says they want to buy a collection. It really sort of helps validate the things that I do. I want to help them but I don’t own their company, I don’t get any money from them, so seeing them succeed is my payoff. And that makes me feel good. I feel like everyone needs that break, everyone needs that chance, everyone needs that opportunity to show they can succeed. And a lot of people just may have a talent or not have the know-how, or may feel like they’re stuck in a certain way and not understand why. I’m just coming in there, being a third party, very objective, and saying, “Look, this is what you’re doing.” Like, I’m busy, they should be busy, we’re just short for time. So I come in there and that no-nonsense attitude is probably what translates as tough love. I think it’s more about getting in there and saying, “Guys, you have one opportunity to do this. So if you want it, this is what you have to do. If it means that much to you, you’ve got to do it this way.” And then seeing how they seize that opportunity or not.
So you do try to follow up with them?
I try as much as I can. It’s very hard for me to, but a couple will send the occasional “This happened” or “That happened.” Or I’ll see a flash across on a blog, or they write me on Twitter and I’m like, “Aww!” That’s like, a proud parent feeling.
[Photo via @mrjoezee]
