image credit: Fashionista Conference
This past week we had the pleasure of sitting down with E! Fashion Polices very own George Kotsiopoulos, and the new ambassador for P&G Fabric Cares Washable Fashion Initiative. At the Fashionista “How to Make it in Fashion” conference, George shared with us about his new partnership with Tide and Downy and discussed the benefits of using washable fabrics for designers future collections.
George informed us about so many useful tips and tricks for maintaining an amazing wardrobe, and he even discussed the trends and select pieces he’s loving right now! Check out the full interview below.
Betty Confidential: What motivated you to work with Tide and Downy on this initiative to prove that Washable Fashion can be fashionable?
George Kotsiopoulos: “I’m all about Washable Fashion and I want to be on the front of this movement, it’s the future of textiles and fabrics. And giving consumers what they want, which is an easy way to care for the garments they love while not compromising on price or quality. If you are going out and have a particular shirt or dress you were looking forward to wearing, you should have the instant gratification of being able to wash it yourself and wear it when you want. I love my clothes, as you can imagine, and have been doing my own laundry with Tide and Downy since I was in the third grade! My mom ruined one of my favorite shirts and from that point on I have done my own laundry.”
Betty Confidential: If there was one thing you would like consumers to take away from this “Washable Fashion Initiative,” what would it be?
George Kotsiopoulos: “It’s fashionable and it saves money! Also 90% of your clothes are washable. Having the power to wash and care for your clothes provides instant gratification.”
Betty Confidential: Do you have a specific strategy or criteria you follow when choosing items to wash at home? Is there anything we should inform our readers to be cautious of?
George Kotsiopoulos: “I wash mostly everything, but my rule is: If in doubt, wash in cold water on the hand wash or delicate cycle, then lay flat to dry. And with Tide Pods, you just pop it in the drum and as a single-unit dose, you don’t have to worry about over or under dosing.”
Betty Confidential: What tips can you provide to help our fashionistas mix and match high and low-end pieces that create fabulous looks?
George Kotsiopoulos: You don’t even need to mix high-end into the mix if you don’t want to, fashion is accessible at every price point. Don’t spend a lot of money on denim or t-shirts. But certain things you can’t scrimp on like a man’s suit or the perfect LBD. Spend money on the pieces that look expensive. If you want a crazy statement shoe, get those at fast fashion. They’re inexpensive but they look expensive. Spend money on the quality things you are going to wear over and over again.
Betty Confidential: In what ways can we protect and preserve a high-end or low-end wardrobe?
George Kotsiopoulos: “Step one: Use the right detergent. Tide Pods of course– which, most people don’t realize, have cleansers, stain fighters and brighteners. And, don’t forget the fabric softener. Tide and Downy can elevate your lower end items and protect your high end.”
Betty Confidential: What are some trends you are loving right now? And, what do you predict we will see more of in the future?
George Kotsiopoulos: “I like the chunky knit sweaters and extravagant shearlings in fun colors. Psychedelic prints and printed fabrics; also, I kind of love the idea of brights for fall, since you usually just think about them for spring or summer.”
Betty Confidential: Lastly, just for fun, if there was one piece of clothing or an accessory you could not live without, what would it be?
George Kotsiopoulos: “This week? My Valentino monk-strap shoes and the Cartier watch my boyfriend gave me. Generally? My H&M cotton and silk blend Man Men-esque polo shirts and a great pair of skinny trousers that are slightly cropped (with a little bit of stretch).”
