Who What Wear: Interview with Hillary Kerr & Katherine Power

STYLE REPUBLIC MAGAZINE.COM: FASHION - NOVEMBER 2009

The Three W's: Who, What, Wear.

TEXT: Brittany Law

When it comes to knowing who wears what (and when), styling duo Katherine Power & Hillary Kerr of the notorious go-to site, Who What Wear.Com, are experts at scoping out your favorite designer must-haves. Whether you want to know who constructed Sienna Miller’s latest red carpet frock, or purchase Victoria Beckham’s latest pair of pumps – consider the entrepreneurial team that is Who What Wear.Com to be your very own personal shopping index.

Visit: www.whowhatwear.com

As former contributors to highly acclaimed publication ELLE Magazine, Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr are no strangers to the world of fashion and glamour. So what inspired the now successful entrepreneurs to leave their previous career path?

“We love what we did at ELLE, however, we saw that the media trend was moving online. We see so many great paparazzi images online almost immediately after they’re taken – where as it would take a print magazine nearly three months to show the same image,” explains Power.

Who What Wear.Com is updated daily. Having said that, one can only imagine how busy these fashionistas are when it comes to searching the web for the latest do’s and don’ts. With red-carpet events happening nearly every week – movie premieres, book launches, award shows… how do they keep up? What happens when the general population falls in love with Natalie Portman’s new diamond studs, and the designer is… unknown?

“We’re pretty dogged when it comes to researching things. Our readers trust us, so we need to be correct. We check and double check with a number of brands – we really don’t rest until we know who wore what!” laughs Kerr.

With a following as large as that of Who What Wear.Com, we suppose one would have to be correct – especially when one of the site’s biggest fans is celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. The purpose behind Who What Wear.Com for the average fashionista is fairly self-explanatory. However, what can Power & Kerr offer to the world of professional styling when the same stylists are also trying to set the hottest trends to try?

“Everyone is working together a bit – we try to work hand in hand with these stylists in order to expose people to new brands, and not just to the ‘pair of pants that someone is wearing’, but also to the way someone wears the specific pair of pants,” explains the duo.

Now – one has to wonder. What inspires the wardrobe of fashion’s most forward styling team?

Kerr laughs, “Mad Men! I love that show – Joan [actress Christina Hendricks] in particular inspires my wardrobe. I tend to go for the Hitchcock-heroine style in general. Everything in that show – from the lamps, the desks, hairstyles…I love it.”

Power takes a moment to think about this one. “You know, we’ve been getting that question a lot lately! An easy answer for Hillary, though I think the original 90210 and that classic 90’s style inspires my closet.”

So – just what are the top 5 must-haves for the upcoming Fall/Winter season? “The long sleeve mini dress, strong shoulder jackets are incredibly flattering as well,” says Power. “We’re obsessed with over-knee boots! Leather leggings are definitely coming back with the 80’s, and red lipstick is the perfect way to dress up an outfit, especially with the holidays coming up.” Kerr adds.

The dynamic styling duo behind Who What Wear.Com has just recently launched their brand new book, WHO WHAT WEAR. Believe us when we say that it is the perfect reference guide and pocket book for the existing or aspiring stylist. Visit www.whowhatwear.com for the latest, and find out who wore what, when.