What a Knife Set Says About a Cook - Scott Gold

In Chapter 17 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "Why is Selecting a Set of Knives Such a Personal Decision for a Cook?"  Gold compares chefs choosing knives with musicians choosing instruments.  It is the tool of the trade.  If the knife is an extension of one's hand, as many chefs say, Gold notes it should be a personal decision.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Learning the Limits of Preparation Working in Restaurants - Scott Gold

In Chapter 18 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "What Has Working in the Restaurant Business Taught You About the Power of Preparation?"  Just like the Boy Scouts, Gold notes it is about being prepared.  Additionally, he notes that no matter how prepared you may be, adversity and challenge will strike.  Here, you need to find a way to make it work.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How to Write Better Stories About Food - Scott Gold

In Chapter 19 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "What Elements Do You Look for in Good Food Journalism and Story?"  First, Gold looks for good writing, specifically those who have a command of the language.  Second, good food writers develop a clear and distinct voice.  He shares how despite getting into trouble after criticizing the New Orleans food scene after Hurricane Katrina, Alan Richman remains a great food writer with a distinct voice and vocabulary.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Peer Support Makes Writing Career More Fulfilling - Scott Gold

In Chapter 20 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Has Peer Support Made Your Writing Career More Fulfilling?"  Gold notes how fortunate he is to have a small, close group of food writing friends that functions as both a social and support network.  At events, he is able to talk with peers about the food industry as well as writing.  He notes that while some journalists and non-fiction writers are protective of ideas, his group tends to be more open and sharing.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Why to Stop Working from Home and Get an Office - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 1 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "Since We Last Spoke What Has Been the Most Exciting Thing to Happen in Your Life?"  Chen notes how her fashion styling small business is expanding and she has gotten her own office space.  She values separating personal and professional space, especially given she has assistants and has many client meetings.  She finds chemistry with an artistic community in an office space nearby her apartment.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Express Your Style and Create a Look - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 2 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "What Advice Do You Have for Someone Trying to Develop a Better Sense of Style?"  She notes how developing a style is a life's work, given tastes change and tastes reflect feeling and mood.  She notes how one's best style is when you own it and be yourself.  Chen shares how this is present in the documentary film of New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham and his work capturing expressiveness of his photo subjects.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How Fashion Stylist Defines Her Own Style - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 3 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "What Inspires Your Personal Style?"  Chen blends an understated look with a functional one.  Why functional?  As a fashion stylist, her work is very hands on and she is on her feet for long periods of time.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What inspires your personal style?

Lulu Chen: I was thinking about that actually earlier.  I thought you might ask me that type of question or something like that. I guess the word I would like to use is understated, easy, you know.  I think it also – for me it has to be functional.  I’m working on set, and where I’m working in the market, and it’s very physical sometimes, you know, and I do try to look my best and be professional, but sometimes you can’t do that in four-inch heels. (laughs)  So, you know, and ultimately – you know, ultimately we’re behind the scenes, so I guess sometimes we have it uniform, which just tends to be understated and easy.

How Wearing Color Helps Boost Confidence - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 4 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "How Do You Apply Color to Improve Someone's Look and Make Him or Her Feel More Confident?"  She notes how color can help pique someone's spirit and bring out the best in their features.  She shares how designer Jil Sander uses color in her Spring 2011 collection.  Chen notes how neutrals and black can also be used to bring out features too.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

Why Choose Fashion Styling Over Fashion Design Career - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 5 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "As an Artist, What Informed Your Decision to Choose Fashion Styling Over Fashion Design?"  Chen gravitates toward magazines, stories, and editorials and, after many years working different part of the industry, chooses fashion design.  She enjoys playing with the different designers' clothing and accessories and being able to use their colors, shapes, and textures as an artist uses a palette.  She finds inspiration from designers who continuously produce new work.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Turn Unpaid Internship Into a Paid Entry Level Job - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 6 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "What Advice Do You Have for Young Fashion Professionals to Stay Encouraged From That Transition of Unpaid Internships to Paid Entry Level Jobs?"  She shares how aspiring fashion professionals working unpaid internships need to stay positive and keep trying and building experience.  She notes if the love is there, opportunities will emerge.  Contacts and relationships matter and Chen shares how they are fundamental to making the transition.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How Fashion Advertising and Editorial Projects Differ - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 7 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers   "How do Ad or Commercial Jobs Compare and Contrast with Editorial Magazine Jobs?"  She finds magazine jobs are more aspirational and offer greater creative freedom compared to advertising and catalog work.  They also have more freedom to incorporate a wide array of brands.  However, Chen notes how catalogs are catching up creatively, progressively turning to a "magalogue" focus that, while covering only one brand, integrates more of the creative and story elements seen traditionally in editorial or magazine work.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Adapt Creativity From Project to Project - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 8 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers   "How Does Your Creative Freedom Vary from Job to Job?"  Chen notes the challenge of finding balance between structured projects and those offering more creative license and open-endedness.  She compares her outlook to artists who accept commissioned work to pay bills and creative projects with limited financial reward.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Recharge Your Creativity - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 9 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "What Do You Do to Recharge Your Creativity"  Chen visits galleries often, finding inspiration viewing interior design exhibits.  Whereas Chen dresses models, designers dress rooms.  Chen embraces this parallel interior design shapes, spaces, and textures into her fashion world.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What do you do to recharge your creativity?

Lulu Chen: – I enjoy going to the galleries a lot. We go all over depending on what shows there are.  Most recently, we went to see Tara Donovan.  She had a great installation, with all these Mylar spheres.  It was really cool.  Or just – you know, just to walk around and get outside of your head, and I love interior design, so just to see spaces, you know. There are a lot of textiles and textures.  It’s interesting.  A room is a frame, a canvas, you know.  It’s almost like in replacement of a body, you get to dress the room with different furniture, with different fabrics and colors, you know.

How Feedback Focuses Fashion Stylist Career - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 10 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "Where and When Has Feedback Been Helpful in Shaping Your Career?"  Chen notes the positive impact she feels when receiving feedback from mentors and clients.  She also shares how more feedback would be helpful, including when not being chosen for jobs when the reason is unclear.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.

How to Be Flexible in a New Marriage - Conrad Doucette

In Chapter 1 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, musician and Takka Takka drummer Conrad Doucette answers "Since We Last Spoke a Year Ago, What Has Been the Most Exciting Thing to Happen in Your Life?"  Conrad shares how getting married tops the list.  A day after the wedding celebration, Doucette, his wife, and the band embark to Paris for a Takka Takka European tour.  Doucette and his spouse navigate the challenges, making the most of the adventure.  Doucette is the drummer for the Brooklyn-based band Takka Takka.  He also performs with The National, Okkervil River, and Alina Simone.  When not performing, Doucette works as a copywriter, blogger, and digital media producer.  He has worked at Blender, Fuse TV, and Heavy.com.  Doucette earned his BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

What Makes a Great Wedding - Conrad Doucette

In Chapter 2 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, musician and Takka Takka drummer Conrad Doucette answers "What Makes a Great Wedding?"  For Doucette it comes down to having a nice room and having family and friends.  Setting expectations for the big day, Doucette still gets emotionally overwhelmed by the experience.  Doucette is the drummer for the Brooklyn-based band Takka Takka.  He also performs with The National, Okkervil River, and Alina Simone.  When not performing, Doucette works as a copywriter, blogger, and digital media producer.  He has worked at Blender, Fuse TV, and Heavy.com.  Doucette earned his BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Conrad Doucette

In Chapter 3 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, musician and Takka Takka drummer Conrad Doucette answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?"  He finds it easier knowing what will be satisfying and fulfilling.  The increasing challenge is focusing on opportunities amidst so many options to pursue.  Doucette is the drummer for the Brooklyn-based band Takka Takka.  He also performs with The National, Okkervil River, and Alina Simone.  When not performing, Doucette works as a copywriter, blogger, and digital media producer.  He has worked at Blender, Fuse TV, and Heavy.com.  Doucette earned his BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

How to Build Confidence and Elevate Performance - Conrad Doucette

In Chapter 4 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, musician and Takka Takka drummer Conrad Doucette answers "When Are You at Your Best?"  Doucette shares how he achieves his best when he is confident in what he undertakes or does.  He compares it to letting go, being in the moment without subconscious preparation or worrying.  He notes how it comes by practicing, rehearsing, and surrounding himself with the right elements.  Doucette is the drummer for the Brooklyn-based band Takka Takka.  He also performs with The National, Okkervil River, and Alina Simone.  When not performing, Doucette works as a copywriter, blogger, and digital media producer.  He has worked at Blender, Fuse TV, and Heavy.com.  Doucette earned his BA in History from the University of Michigan.