eyepissglitter
tatiana johnson
interview with i.t.a.
so tatiana EYEPISSGLITTER, your pop up online store, like blends your passion for rap music, fashion and furniture. just how do you manage to make it all come together?
It was hard at first because I kept asking myself how can home décor and my deep love for rap music have one umbrella or just a title that people would understand and vibe with. But honestly after not thinking about it and letting it flow naturally it comes together and makes a lot of sense. Overall, it’s art, music, design, interior styling, it is all a way of expressing yourself. In my case I play a song and I get to work and the melody, words and bass of the songs is equivalent to whatever it is I’m designing.
you design a ranges of furniture, gorgeous pillows, ottomans, loungewear to die for and slippers: to mention some of what you do. what are the latest pieces you’ve been working on at EYEPISSGLITTER?
I’ve been working on more home accessories. I’ve also been using new print fabrics and actually designing my own. Recently, I’ve been infatuated with glass, so I’m trying to work that into something EYEPISSGLITTER. I’m doing more interior design, so I’m actually taking clients and designing homes how they want them, selecting furniture etc. I’m really enjoying that and introducing a special collection through Etsy very soon. Oh and can’t forget I have a collaboration with artist, In Jones We Trust coming up. His music is super ill so it had to happen. I won’t say anything else but it’s going to be crazy!
and over the time you’ve been running EYEPISSGLITTER, what would you say are the three ultimate pieces that you’ve produced?
Ottomans, pillows and bottoms that match both the pillows and ottomans. The main thing I want to get across with my designs is that your home can really be an outside expression as well. You can match your furniture with your clothing and vice versa. It’s really cool to wear a pair of shorts that looks like your ottoman, when you have guests over to your house.
how did you start off down the road of fashion and homeware design? and what was the spark that set off EYEPISSGLITTER?
It started two ways, one I have to give all credit to God and my Gam (Grandmother). She always had me doing some kind of arts and crafts, whether I was sewing a skirt or helping to make a table for the dinette. I loved it and it was so natural and felt good during the process of making it and the finished product. It also came because I had entered a contest for BET’s 106 & Park and couldn’t think of another way to get people to know about me so via social media I started showing off my talent of making clothes out of random things. In short I made a pair of shorts out of scarves and then I thought the scarves would be a nice ottoman and then I started making furniture.
you actually used to design for new york’s the diplomats. how was that experience and what did you get up to there?
That was fun, I was in high school and during pep rallies instead of joining in, I would go to the library with my friend and go online to the Santana’s Town forum. I love Dipset and saw they were rocking bandanas and my friend Mike and I used to sew heavy. So we went up to Juelz Santana’s store showed him our stuff and next thing you know we were making 20 pairs of pants a week. I was excited because they really wore our stuff and seeing people wear the same styles now is awesome.
which fashionistas and interior designers do it for you tatiana? who influenced you along the way and who would you say to keep an eye out for now?
I love Kesha Franklin of The Beautfiul Experience, she’s the first interior designer I ever met, which was recently. But I love everything she does! Fashionista wise, I have to say Rihanna and The Golden Girls. I was most influenced by my Gam. She changed up her entire home every weekend; from the inside to the outside, with gardening and everything. She was my Martha Stewart but better.
i love the name EYEPISSGLITTER. it conjures up too much. what does it mean to you and can you elaborate on your slogan, ‘be dangerous. it careful out there’?
EYEPISSGLITTER is being yourself. It’s saying, hey you may do this and that, but EYEPISSGLITTER. It’s saying it’s ok to be confident and not feel like you’re being cocky, you’re just being the best you can be.
Haaahaha, Be Dangerous….It’s Careful Out There; is saying be free and don’t worry. I’m not saying go crazy, but live your life and enjoy each moment.
you used to be involved with television, journalism and interviewing, for mtv among other organisations. who was your favourite interviewee and why?
Wow! I get this question a lot and that’s a good thing because I notice I say the same person so that must really mean it was my favourite: Nicki Minaj without a doubt. I interviewed her in front of Dunkin’ Donuts in her old neighbourhood in Queens, it was hot as ever but we did a thorough interview. I learned from her that day, she told me to keep going and I could be the next Oprah and bigger. She also told me she was going to build an empire. She did it and just seeing her say that and making it happen was one of the dopest experiences ever. I am a true believer of dreams coming true. Definitely a witness to that.
so tatiana, thanks so much for this little chat. we simply love EYEPISSGLITTER and think you’re divine. powder looks forward to catching your next pieces.
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