Interview: NIKKI MOOSE

As LFW begins and the fashion industry descend on the English capital, we look at one of the hottest properties across the pond. A respected and admired fashionista, blogger and stylist titled Nicki Moose

Nikki has been under our watchful eye for quite some time now with her work on her own site DIRTYFLAWS.COM. Expressing her views, favourites and inspirations from the fashion world. Which consist of a more aggressive, darker and edgy collection of fashion and culture. Simply we adore this girl and are tipping her to be one of the main players in 2010!

We managed to catch up with Nikki during her ever busy schedule to grab a few words on fashion, bondage wear and DIY

SN: To those who haven't seen Dirty Flaws before explain what the site is in three words....
NM: Really fucking raw.

SN: Dirty Flaws has become acclaimed for its sharp, edgy and dark posts, how do you decide what is featured and what isn't?
NM: Honestly, if i see it and im like OH YES. Then its usually up on Dirty Flaws within minutes.

SN: What element of culture inspires you most? (Film/Music/Literacy/Art) Name your favourites in that field and the reasons behind this? 
NM: Music and Art are the main inspirations, with music I use a lyric 9 times out of 10 for the title of each post on dirtyflaws, some people get it , some dont. I like a lot of nine inch nails, Bjork, IAMX, music that is constantly playing in my head. With film, David Lynch is a serious favourite, all his films are mind fucking and I love it. 

SN: If you could change one thing about society or the world to create a darker place what would you do?
NM: I dont know if I would change one thing about the world but maybe the current place/society I am living in. Even though just right next to New York City, Philadelphia is still very closed minded on the "darker" side of fashion. When I am in New York, I'm completely comfortable and in my element. In Philadelphia it's a sore thumb. I'm comfortable but it is just a bum-out that people dont leave the box. However, I would fucking hate it if society was one big ball of the exact same thing.

SN: If you could bring one underground garment or style into mainstream fashion what would it be and explain why? 
NM: Definitely more S&M bondage wear. I think it makes a great layering piece but there is definitely a level of fear in wearing it out in public. 

SN: The DIY or Die events have begun to get some great press recently, what is the overall aim of them & what is your role in the events?
NM: DIY events are rad - it gives people the opportunity to create their OWN looks. To put together one of a kind pieces they can really call their own. There is no better compliment then someone coming up to you and asking where you got something and you can say "I made it". I dont know shit about sewing so my pieces are to a certain level but I've got a few friends that are incredible.

SN: Carrying on the DIY theme, currently you seem to be an aficionado of Do It Yourself fashion, are there any tips you can give our readers or any pieces that you are particularly proud of? 

NM: A lot of DIY tips i took from my dear friend Alex Chapman who was one of the main reasons I started DIYing. Some of the things I saw him put together i was like "man I could do that". I personally feel like you cant go wrong with anything you create if your into it then rock it, I'm very proud of the little bag I made with the claws. i get compliments on that wherever I go - it was such a simple DIY but turned out a huge statement piece.

SN: With NYFW coming to a close, who was your favourite of this season? Are there any designers you want to tip for future success? 
NM: I unfortunately did not get to spend as much time as I would have liked in new york city for fashion week. My favorite though would have been Damir Doma, another incredible duo i have been following for a while via Dirty Flaws, that I ran into at a bar in NYC. I already see incredible success but I also see it getting even better in the future for Damir Doma. 

Hands down the best part of this fashion week was getting the chance to meet Gareth Pugh. that is a whole nother interview in itself. [ED: for our readers information Pugh was so impressed with Nikki he was the one taking the photographs of her, not the other way around]

SN: What do you have planned in the near future for Dirty Flaws? We hear you maybe looking into a Dirty Flaws online store? < br /> NM: The rumors are true. Soon you will be able to purchase some of the items I talk about on the site.  It is extremely exciting to be working with designers I have talked about and featured on Dirty Flaws. |Designers that give off outrageous amounts of inspiration and that even read the site religiously themselves haha! Stay Tuned xx