‘SNL’ Star Chloe Fineman and Christian Cowan Talk Crocs, Comedy, Fashion – Shoe News

No pants, no problem. Designer Christian Cowan and “Saturday Night Live!” Star Chloe Fineman joined FN last month. For the artist and the muse – or better yet, the Cinderella and her godmother vibes – they filmed their video part in nothing but a dramatic feather coat, bare feet and Crocs during the shoot.

Their playful partnership is not unexpected. Fineman, known for her stunning impressions of Nicole Kidman and Drew Barrymore, first collaborated with the designer last year in the Fall ’21 thriller A Fashion Thing. And she can now be seen in Cowan’s new campaign, which features her first Crocs collaboration.

Cowan, for his part, hit the big time at New York Fashion Week, where he presented his spring ’23 parka show and a limited-edition collection.

It consists of three Crocs styles that Cowan has reimagined. “They all have different uses in your everyday life, so I wanted to have the diversity,” he said on the backstage of the show. “And then I wanted to bring our brand identity to the Crocs brand identity. I’m known for glitz and glam, checkerboards and pinks and bows. So we’re all together. And it’s about bringing glamour, which makes a lot of sense to do with Crocs because Crocs tries so hard.” That’s what I love about fashion – to experiment.

For example, the Christian Cowan x Crocs Mega Crush Clog is 61mm tall and has a raised platform with a modified rubber tread. The shoes are made in all black and detailed with detachable metal chains, which can also be worn with a necklace like a crocs pendant. The joint marks the first time Gibitz charms have been transformed into another wearable accessory.

Cowan is no stranger to collaborations, having teamed up with Giuseppe Zanotti on a shoe line in 2018, for example. But with Crocs, Cowan sent his first pair of flats down the runway.

“[These collabs] They are at polar opposite ends of the shoe market,” says the designer. F.N The cover shoot is set. “I always want to give something ‘unexpected’. And this feels unexpected.”

Despite Crocs’ polarizing and comfort-focused nature, Cowan wasn’t deterred from working with the company. “Crox is the perfect fashion shoe,” he said. “It is usually worn by a confident person who is not afraid to play with fashion. And not all of our followers are in New York City and can pop into our Soho store and buy a $3,000 suit. I also want a product that our fans can access and wear and enjoy.

For Crocs, the partnership was a no-brainer, according to marketing officer Heidi Cooley. Having worked with the likes of Balenciaga and Christopher Kane as the brand continues to grow its high fashion credibility, Cowan said it marks another important step when it comes to reaching new customers.

“Christians value the power of the Creator,” Cooley said. “He’s someone who really uses the power of his network and influencers to drive reach and awareness of his brand, which is very similar to
Our model

Cowan says they align on the shared values ​​of inclusivity and self-expression that have been embedded in the designer brand’s DNA since its inception. Representation on the runway and in campaigns comes in many forms, including gender, sexual orientation, size, age and color. Although it’s not a conscious thought, Cowan said.

“I was a middle-of-the-road, miserable kid in the English countryside. And when I was 17 I went to London and met my community and it naturally changed. “Everyone in my brand is really young. We fully represent what our audience is.

But early in his career, he stood up to naysayers who questioned the level of inclusion in his brand identity. “Yeah, people say, ‘If you’re going to have a drag queen in your campaign, you don’t want Beyonce to wear it,’ and that’s a really outdated mindset. That’s just not the world we live in,” Cowan recalled.

Spoiler alert: Queen Bey is a fan. Like Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus. The list goes on.

“We are proof that these things are no longer inseparable. Talented, incredible people are talented, incredible people,” Cowan added. “And Crocs was like that to the community in every way. Crocs has a huge audience and is all over the world. It spans many different states. And I love that our campaign is open to everyone. [the brand’s fans]He said.

In addition to Feynman, the playful and funny social media star Michelle Visage and Simone from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Sonja Morgan from “The Real Housewives of New York City” Christine Quinn from Netflix’s hit TV series “Twilight” as well as singer Tinashe, makeup artist Jazelle and supermodel Daphne Groeneveld.

Another benefit of the collaboration: A portion of the sales will be donated to the Ali Forney Center, which provides assistance to LGBTQIA+ homeless youth in the United States.

Here, comedy and fashion come together in a sit-down interview with Cowan and Fineman, who talk about Crocs, Croc fashion and all things “Real Housewives.”

TThe clarity and length of the speech has been adjusted.

How did you first meet?

Chloe Fineman: “Well, I was a big fan. We were trying to work together. And then I feel like I met you for the first time on the Crocs campaign shoot.”
Christian Cowan: “First of all, I was inspired by everything about Chloe because she is amazing and beautiful. And then she’s so talented in so many different ways. You know how to do so many different things, funny. I’m so scared… I’m your biggest fan. When you play a show, I throw my underwear on stage.
CF: “And I chewed it.”

So let’s get into it. What are your real thoughts on Crocs?

CF: “As someone who loves Ugg boots, I feel like Crocs are the new Uggs. And now with something like a platform, it is very fashionable in the future and they are extremely comfortable.
CC: “They are very comfortable. Like, rich kids in LA wear these and nurseries. Everyone from old ladies to 20-year-old men stop me when I say, ‘I love your shoes.’”
CF: “Yeah, it’s cool that Justin Bieber and a nurse can coexist in a shoe.”

How would you describe your approach to fashion?

CC: “I fk what I want. I like to design cool clothes that I think are cool. I’m inspired by women in my life – like Khloe, like my mom, strong, independent women. I want people to appreciate my clothes.”
CF: “I mean, it’s not like, it’s not like. I’ve always liked dresses as a person as opposed to jeans. And I think clothes are a way to make you feel like you’re in a costume and a character. There’s no difference to me. What I love about you is the ‘Housewives’ girls.” I feel like we share some of the same museums. When I first did your shoot, everyone there was my museum. It was so much fun. Dorinda. [Medley] I was completely blown away and couldn’t have a care in the world.
CC: The biggest similarity between us is that we are both fans of the escapist, the unreal, the farthest away from ourselves.

Do you think comedy can be glamorous and fashion fun?

CF: “Well, this is a heated debate, isn’t it? I like to break the rules. I feel like I’m in a stand-up comedy where there’s a lot of girls with their breasts out, in short skirts, in heels. And who cares? I feel like it’s such a revolution in comedy. A lot on ‘SNL.’ Obviously there are beautiful, beautiful women out there, and people I admire say, ‘There are no rules.
Do whatever you want.’
CC: “For me, have fun with it. We are making clothes. This will not save the world. We’re not going to Mars. Just have fun. It’s a jacket.”

You mentioned “Real Housewives.” Who do you think is the best dressed housewife right now?

CF: “How can I not give up Meredith Mark?”
CC: “I have a terrible confession to make. I’ve never seen it. I’ve never seen the show. I know the women, but I’ve never seen it.”
CF: “What?! Not a city? New York?”

What about a bad outfit?

CF: “robbery”

When you say fashion fails, Christian, have you been fashion bombed?

CC: “When do I not get it? I definitely have. I think one of the things about growing your career online is there’s a lot of junk. I put out a lot of bad stuff. I’m glad I got it, but you better.”
CF: “But it’s not a bomb if you wear it the right way.”
CC: “Amen. And also if you stand behind it.
CF: “Trust is not the same as a bomb.”

You both have ties to New York. Chloe, you went to New York University and Christian, your brand is inspired by the city. What do you think is the most important New York outfit?

CF: In the year I moved to New York in 2006 and that’s what that outfit looked like. [smoking] A little slim cigar, that was American clothing. [era]. Everyone was in monotone – navy hats, skinny jeans.
CC: “I dress like a character. Like, gothy, punk vibes, I’ll have days listening to MCR. Then other times, it’s like the suburbs of the 60s. I love character. Or like the Berlin Club.
CF: “Oh, I love it. I have two people in New York. One comes out of the shower like wet and wrinkled sweatpants and covered in dog hair. Dirty sweater. No bras. No Uggs or Crocs now. And then no one really recognizes me. Or I’m totally awesome. I’m wearing a suit. People at my bar are always confused because they get both.

Coming out of fashion week, what do you think of today’s front row fashion?

CC: “My favorite front row fashion girls who come to my shows are these few billionaire women from the Upper East Side.”
CF: “And they have three word names…”
CC: “yes. And they transform perfectly into sweatpants and a running sports bra. It’s major. It is very beautiful. We liked it. We call it Billionaires Row.

Chloe, as a master impressionist, how do you differentiate your personal style from the characters you portray?

CF: “I keep things simple. This summer, I stocked up on pants and pants. That’s my new look. I love doing Diane Keaton stuff. This year, it was ‘I’m not wearing sweatpants anymore’ so I’m only making pants. And now, by chance, I’m dressing just like my mom. She is beautiful!”
CF: “I think I’m just a gangster. Any drawer you open, it’s like, ‘Oh my God.’ And my sister says I have a Noah’s Ark complex, which means I have at least two of everything. I must have two similar vests. I get my favorite sunglasses and I get them in every color.
CC: “It’s for many houses…”
CF: “yes. I wish I was a billionaire in the front row, but I’m not. I just have a lot to do.

As two people intertwined in pop culture, what are some famous moments that have inspired you over the years?

C.C: “I have so many. That’s really hard to choose. I mean some obvious ones like ‘The Matrix.’ Anything John Galliano for me.”
CF: I love a lot of early 2000s stuff. This is a shame, but it was inspired by Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. And it hit eyeliner time for me. I remember watching the movie and coming home and trying to do it as a 17-year-old. I went blonde because of ‘Legally Blonde’, and I remember seeing ‘Confessions on the Dance Floor’ by Madonna and it changed my life. Then I started my unitard collection, because it matches my vest collection so I have to have it.”

Click through the gallery to see more of Chloe Fineman and Christian Cowan’s FN cover shoot.

Photographer: Kimber Capriotti

Story by Nikara Jones

Style director and creative: Shannon Adducci

Associate Art Director: Emily Harris

Illustrated by Yael Quint

Hair by Clara Leonard at Wall Group

Makeup by Genevieve Hair by Sally Harlor

Nails by Stephanie Hernandez