PAM & GELA

I was born in LA and grew up a skate-boarding Valley girl in Encino. I was always outside, climbing trees, riding horses, going to the beach to boogie board, and playing competitive sports too, but mostly for the costumes. Encino was a magical sunny place in the 1960's and '70's, a weird melting pot of creative kids who had the burn. A crazy Southern California tribe all grew up there together, and the fashion companies we started grew out of our obsession with SoCal pop culture. My inspiration started with Vans sneakers, Hang Ten t-shirts, and Op shorts. That was California luxury then.

I was born in New York, but my family moved to a new state every 3 years or so, which was an excellent opportunity to always reinvent my style. This fueled my already overly active, insanely glamorous imagination. I remember my life by what I wore. I started wearing heels when I was around 5--these plastic glitter heels that made the best click-clacking sound ever. As a teenager, I was all about hippie-chic fringe jackets, floppy hats, granny dresses, and Indian jewelry. I loved Jimi Hendrix, Anita Pallenberg, the Rolling Stones, the whole 1970's look and movement. I had a penchant for pure shock-value dressing.

Pam and Gela were the maximalist masterminds behind the extraordinary Juicy Couture brand. They created an unapologetic world where more was fun. Their unique take on everyday luxury and irreverent fashion expression served as an inspiration to a whole new generation of young designers and paved the gilded way for progressive, up and coming ready-to-wear brands.