Kendrick Lamar
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The street-savvy and distinctly West Coast fashion sense of celebrity stylist Dianne Garcia is an aesthetic that comes from ten years of living and breathing L.A. culture. It’s an accumulated wealth of insight that makes her and Compton-bred rapper Kendrick Lamar the perfect team. After breaking into the fashion scene as an assistant, Garcia and Lamar met five years ago through Dave Free (Lamar’s manager) and have been collaborating on his image since.
The 28-year-old fashionista also styles fellow Top Dawg Entertainment signees SZA and Schoolboy Q, and even designs and produces merchandise for other artists on the label’s roster. When it comes to hobbies, Garcia considers herself a full-time dog mom of two adorable bulldogs, Huey and Rosewood, amongst her more sartorially-inclined skills. Get to know Garcia with Billboard’s Stylist Spotlight below.
Describe Kendrick Lamar’s style in three words.
Classic Cornrow Kenny.
Proudest Kendrick style moment of 2016?
What are you most excited about for Kendrick’s style in 2017?
I’m excited about what he’s cooking up in the studio, which will ultimately inspire the style behind it. I just get to put the clothes into context. Whatever that is, we’ll have to wait and see. Personally, I’m looking forward to having fun and taking more risks with his wardrobe.
What’s a piece every guy should have in his closet?
A great pair of casual trousers goes a long way.
What’s a piece every guy should throw away right now?
Long, slinky T-shirts and super skinny distressed jeans. I think their time has come and gone.
Tattoos: overrated or underrated?
Neither. I look at tattoos as a stamp in time. They represent your mental state and what you’re going through or what you’re into at a certain time in your life. You shouldn’t be ashamed of them, as long as you weren’t too impulsive with what you got done, if you know what I mean.
What’s one thing you wish you knew about style as a teenager?
I wish I knew how valuable tailors really are so I didn’t have to buy and throw away so many things that didn’t fit.
Next piece you’re buying for yourself?
A Tom Wood pinky ring.
Emerging designers to keep and eye on?
Your mantra for 2017:
Now is the time.