Melissa Hebeler / E! NewsWho didn't own a velour Juicy Couture tracksuit back in the day? Exactly.
As the co-founders of Juicy, Pamela Skaist Levy and Gela Taylor are the bestie-duo responsible for much (or all) of your early Y2K wardrobe. And now, as the co-founders of Pam & Gela, they're supplying your adult years with that same obsession (just with a little less pink).
Their motto? "Who doesn't want to look amazing and be totally comfortable?" Their clothing? A cool mix of edgy, rock and roll-inspired pieces, Athleisure wear and California style. Oh, and not to mention, their celeb following is unreal (Gwen Stefani, Kendall Jenner, Naomi Watts, Reese Witherspoon, Ellie Goulding, Emma Roberts and Adriana Lima...just to name drop a few).
It's time to get to know them.
What was your first job?
Gela Taylor: "[I was a] waitress at Trax - a super cool club in NY. [It had] the best continuous show of rock and roll fashion anywhere." - GT
Pamela Skaist Levy: "I worked at Fred Segal in high school…it was a dream job. Discounts and killer clothes. For a tomboy that was obsessed with surf culture, it was my first introduction to fashion that didn't involve Vans tennis shoes and OP shorts."
How did you get into fashion?
GT: "I was obsessed with the '70s and rock & roll fashion - Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, etc. And I still am! I've always been obsessed with glam and extreme fashion. [Also,] being petite, I've always altered my clothes...still do."
PSL: "I went to FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) and set up a private study my senior year. The focus of the study was in millinery, I designed a hat line called "Helmet" and started selling my hats at Barneys New York, Maxfield and tons of super cool boutiques."
What's a typical day like for you?
GT: "6am phone calls to London then Pilates. Then work, hanging with my bestie and working with our incredible, inspirational team."
PSL: "Wake up at 5:45am. Take my four dogs out. Make coffee. Get dressed in workout clothes and do a CrossFit session with my kickass trainer. Quickly get dressed (thankfully, we make Athleisure clothes, so getting dresses is a breeze). Then head out to the office and create with my best of over 20 years and our super talented team."
Tell us about your office décor.
GT: "It's a super lo-fi, open office space with music blasting. We love the open space, it encourages collaboration - it's all about that. Even in the heyday of Juicy, we kept our offices lo-fi, everything went into the product."
What's the best part about your job?
GT: "Collaborating and working with my best friend and partner [as well as] working with a team that feels like family. [Also,] making killer clothes that we want to wear!"
PSL: "Having fun with my bestie. It always feels more like play than work."
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken?
GT: "The day we started Juicy Couture [with only] $200!"
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
GT: "Mine came from my amazing dad. He told me my job, as an entrepreneur & designer, was to solve problems. This applies to building a business, designing, creating a brand and leading an inspiring and amazing team."
PSL: "Stay authentic."
What designs are you best known for and why do you think you do it so well?
PSL: "Casual luxury. Athleisure, we invented it. Sexy sweats, California-style."
Gela's answers:
Today for lunch I had…grilled salmon & kale. And Sour Patch Kids!
The first website I log onto every day is…PAMANDGELA.COM.
My usual Starbucks order is…organic French press coffee (I don't drink Starbucks).
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be doing this job!
My favorite place to visit is…England, my second home.
List five things that are on your desk right now…my Gucci bag, Cabana Magazine, a pack of Sour Patch Kids, a copy of our book "The Glitter Plan" and a pic of my daughter Zoe - my musical muse.
The book I'm reading right now is…"Amp'd" By Ken Pisani.
Pamela's answers:
Today for lunch I had…a green juice and Sour Patch Kids!
The first website I log onto every day is…PamandGela.com, and then my tide chart.
My usual Starbucks order is…chai latte.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be surfing daily.
My favorite place to visit is…Tokyo, all the way.
List five things that are on your desk right now…see Gela's answer, we share a desk!
The book I'm reading right now is…"My Life on the Road" by Gloria Steinem.