Everyone always asks me where I got my can’t-leave-home-without accessory AKA my awesome gilded band aid necklace. Allow me to do you a favor and introduce you to CHRISHABANA whose accessories don’t make the outfit, they are the outfit. For real–I can be all decked out in designer, but Chris Habana’s edgy, late 80s/early 90s club kid inspired gems, with a penchant for skulls, crosses, and even runway friendly expressions (Work!), steal the show… in a good way.  I recently chit chatted with the budding (and entertaining) designer about his “in your face” line and learned he isn’t a fan frat boys but he is a fan of pre-Giuliani nightlife, Kandi from Atlanta Housewives and Lady Gaga’s killer bearskin ”coat/rug” (Holy PETA!) in her latest video for “Bad Romance.” In other words, we got along perfectly! Read on…

What kind of person wears CHRISHABANA?

The people who wear my pieces are usually a bit more on the harder side. The charms are definitely aggressive, whether or not they take on the pop or Gothic element. CHRISHABANA is definitely an “IN YOUR FACE” type of line.

Where can we get our hands on your line?

I sell at a few stores in New York, namely OAK, SEVEN, BBLESSING, REFORMATION, as well as shops in LA, Tokyo - and most recently, I just delivered to Kabiri in London, where they will have an outlet in Selfridges. Online, I am definitely at OAK, REVOLVE, KARMALOOP…ON AND ON.

Obsessed with the design of your website, chrishabana.com. Flashing images of black cats and colors?! Explain the vision behind the site.

I know, right? The website is pretty sick. Tyler Smart, Matt Wood, Bardhi Halipi actually designed it. they are insanely talented. As far as the opening page, we all discussed a seasonal representation of the shots from my line. So, for Fall/Winter2009, we felt that since people are already going to see still shots of the collection, we should make it interesting and go super crazy with re-purposing the shots just to keep them from getting bored. I loved the idea of GIF’s showing motion in such a D.I.Y looking way, so the res, well, the above team came up with that. Tyler described it as a “Fuck You” type of site. But I like that. It is what it is!

How does nightlife and living in New York inspire your line?

Going with the whole 80’s and 90’s thing, I think I romanticize that time period so much, especially in New York. I was a club kid in those days, but more in San Francisco. Trust that I was totally enamored by all the crazy ass club kids and drag queens from that time period. It sucks that NY nightlife doesn’t see any of that anymore. Not on the same level as it was back in the day for sure. However, I will say just walking around the city is such an inspiring, fantastical thing all in itself. You don’t need much to get inspired in this town.

How would you describe your personal style?

I always say this: A LITTLE ROCK, A LITTLE RAVE, ALWAYS HOMEMADE.

Accessorizing can be stressful and can make or break an outfit. What’s your accessorizing secrets? I’m a fan of mixing cheap shit with one or two pricey items…

Pile it on!

What were you like as a kid?

I always thought I was kind of an outsider when I was a kid, but my family seemed to always remind me that i was this totally optimistic, fun, popular kid. I guess I was and I just didn’t know it. Honestly, I always wanted to be different. Like when I was 7, I would read up on Astral Projection because i wanted to have this power to just leave my body and fly all over the place. Oh yeah, I was also a “Dungeons and Dragons” playing queen. And, I dressed differently from anyone else. It just seemed more fun to be different instead of the norm, you know?

Bjork has worn your jewelry… That had to be pretty awesome, right?

That was great. I have a great PR showroom, so I am sure other people have worn my stuff, but I only remember Bjork because she bought my pieces when Seven carried me in 2003. This was when they were still on Orchard Street.

Who would you die to have rocking some CHRISHABANA?

Fuck! I don’t know. I mean, I am always flattered when someone wears my shit. Truly.

You’re most known for your jewelry lately, but you’re also a clothing designer. Any plans on working on a clothing line in the future?

I did a clothing line a little while back, which focused mainly on prints. The prints were pretty crazy, but now I have been focusing on the jewelry thing. That said, I would definitely like to get back into it, but more from a men’s angle than women’s. First step is to branch out to full-on accessories first, using prints. Baby steps though…

Your line screams pop culture - what are you current pop culture obsessions?

I gotta tell you, and this is really geeky of me, “Heroes” is awesome! And I love watching “Later with Jools Hollans” on the Ovation Channel - that show is so cool. I love indie songs with pop sensibilities, so “New Now Next” on Logo is always good. I should say, however, that while I love pop culture, I don’t obsess over what celebrities necessarily wear or do outside of their “work time” - you know. I am not an “In Touch” or “People” person.

Favorite trashy reality TV show?

Okay, so the boyfriend got me into these: The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Kandi is my girl!) and America’s Next Top Model (Smeyezing).

Fave fashion mag?

Arena Homme Plus! Dazed and Confused! i-D! Teen Vogue! Nylon!

Fave fashion-y decade?

Of course, the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Trend that you wish would just DIE?

Frat boy assholes and party top chicks. Oh wait, you weren’t asking me about a trend, huh?

Britney or Gaga?

Lady Gaga. That new video is SICK! Where can I get a bearskin rug/coat?

Beyonce or RiRi?

Close one, but…Beyonce! That girl is delicious.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still going, going, going…

(BY: ALEX CATARINELLA)