From being the assistant to fashion stylist Rachel Zoe to starring in his own Bravo reality television show, “It’s a Brad Brad World,” stylist Brad Goreski has made a giant leap in the fashion world, with clients such as Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz and fashion brand Kate Spade. In the event hosted by Campus Events Commission tonight at Kerckhoff Grand Salon, Goreski will speak about his rise in the fashion industry. Goreski spoke to the Daily Bruin’s Teresa Jue about preparing for his career by playing with Barbie, his character-building struggles in his youth and how he feels living his dream.
Daily Bruin: Growing up in Canada, what was it that compelled you to go into fashion as a career?
Brad Goreski: It all started with Barbie for me. I’ve played with Barbie since I was a kid and I always dressed her up to go to a red carpet event or some sort of big black-tie event. I guess I was already practicing without even knowing it.
DB: How did you feel when you were asked to speak at UCLA, since you graduated from USC in 2008?
BG: The funny thing is that I’m very excited to be coming. I’m honored to be asked to speak. I know it’s all in fun, a gentle rivalry. I never really understood the battle between UCLA and USC. Maybe since I was an art history major and not a film or business major or involved in any sports.
DB: What do you think about college fashion these days, especially in Los Angeles?
BG: There’s something about the energy of watching people grow up through their clothes. … It’s a very interesting period of a person’s life, especially trying to figure out what their style is and transitioning from being a teenager to being an adult … it’s such a positive time filled with energy and exploration and creativity and I think that we lose that license along the way. The time of college, there’s still that element in play.
DB: Is it difficult having your personal life projected to the mass audience on your show?
BG: When you agree to be on a docu-soap for a cable network, you’re pretty much making peace with the fact that your life is going to be public knowledge, and hopefully your life will be entertaining.
DB: Did you have any trepidations when you decided to branch out on your own after assisting for Rachel Zoe?
BG: I had many. I was extremely nervous; I had no idea how to set up a business. It’s a decision that I’m very glad I made and business is really good, so I must be doing something right even though I’m not sure what it is.
DB: How do you feel about the increasing coalescence of the fashion and entertainment world?
BG: There’s obviously a desire. The fashion industry still remains mysterious to people since there’s basically an exclusivity to the fashion industry and there’s a kind of allure. There’s an element of glamour and escape that everyone enjoys. When people like myself are vehicles to allow people a window into that world, it’s very exciting.
DB: What types of struggles did you go through to get to where you are now, since you alluded to them in your book, “Born to Be Brad”?
BG: The book is very much geared toward rounding out who I am to people. People have this misconception that it was a rocket to stardom for me. … My obstacles were being bullied in school and the process of coming out of the closet, and my battle with drugs and alcohol and eventually getting sober. In the end, they were very much character builders and pushed me to create a better life for myself. There’s no reason why it can’t happen for other people as well.
Email Jue at tjue@media.ucla.edu.