Mossimo Gianulli, above, is blessed with
an interesting name and signature.
Moleskin's the fabric for the hipster pant and jacket, left.
"L.A.'s a pretty entertainment-oriented city, but the movies were never an inspiration. Traveling, my friends, all the different facets of design whether it's architecture or whatever, that's what inspires me. Life inspires me."
At any rate, the self-effacing 33-year-old designer and founder of the $150 million fashion empire that bears his name, said, "What, with this face? I never had a chance (in Hollywood)."
Jackson thought he had star quality, having cast him as a hunk in her video "You Want This?"
Hawaii hipsters will be able to make up their own minds when Gianulli makes two Liberty House appearances Saturday, presenting some informal modeling of Mossimo creations.
Gianulli says it still "feels a little strange" to be treated like a celebrity. In his store appearances nationwide, he often ends up signing his name to clothing, in a splashy signature that has become his company's logo. He says he couldn't have picked his penmenship, but said, "I'm blessed that I've got an interesting name. I think that certainly helped the program."
Bomber jackets and puffy vests pair with stretch pants, nylon skirts and silk-spandex sweaters at Mossimo.
Gianulli had originally planned to study architecture and business at the University of Southern California, but once there, he became more interested in hawking T-shirts to fraternities and sororities. Having found his calling, he dropped out in 1987 and focused on California's booming beach volleyball scene, developing a unique line of three-panel neon volleyball shorts, sweatshirts and T-shirts. Starting with a $100,000 investment from his dad, the fledgling company grossed $1 million its first year.
Since then he's put his own youthful spin on junior contemporary and designer swimwear and activewear, unisex accessories, optics and time pieces. This fall he's introducing a more structured look for men and women that's taken his East Coast counterparts by surprise.
"There's a bit of naivete, not so much snobbishness, in that. I think it's just that they don't know what's going on out here.
"I think the looks from coast to coast are very similar and I don't see a big distinction other than attitude. There's a mistaken belief that we don't do tailoring on the West Coast, but we do."
For men, a black patent vest of quilted micro-stretch fabric.
With its appeal to youth, Gianulli runs his company with a "bottom-up" philosophy, in which everyone's opinion matters, from MBAs to warehouse staff. "It's really important to listen to youth and youth is at all levels of the company," he said. "I see a youthful attitude as an asset because there is so much energy and strength there."I'll trade you a degree for a work ethic any day. It's something I believe in as a business person."
Although Mossimo has grown quickly since taking his company public on the New York Stock Exchange in February, Gianulli said it was never his intention to dress all of America.
"I was just trying to come up with an interesting product. I wasn't trying to cater to the Midwest or Hawaii. I was just going what I wanted to do. When you start trying to appeal to everybody, you get very diluted and you have problems."
As for his vision for trend-spotters who want to stay just ahead of the curve, Gianulli says, "The vision is a little blurred now."
He's looking forward to some R&R on the Big Island while he's here.
"I couldn't even tell you the last time I took some time off," he said, a trace of weariness showing up in his voice. "It's been a long time.
"But you might say I'm on vacation every day. Basically, I love what I do, so it's not like I think 'omigosh I gotta go to work today.' This is fun."
Saturday - "Moss-Merchandising," with Mossimo Gianulli. Liberty House Generation for Juniors department, noon to 2 p.m. at Ala Moana Center, 3 to 5 p.m. at Pearlridge Center. Free.
The Grays will make additional appearances 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17 in the Liberty House Ala Moana Crest Room, and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Fragrance Department. St. John trunk shows with informal modeling will take place in the Crest Room 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 17; noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 18 and 19; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20.