VANCOUVER, AUGUST 2012
Photos & Words by Kate Wotherspoon
Where do I even begin? Deanna Palkowski is honestly one of the coolest people I have met here in Vancouver. First of all she is incredibly funny! I think I had a side stitch from laughing so hard when interviewing her and by the end of it, I decided I should become her new sidekick and partner in crime. Second of all, she has striking style, genius talent and works her ass off! She follows through with what she say she’s going to do and she still has time to drop it low! Cool right?
Her passion for fashion, as cheesy as that may sound, occurred at a very early age when she watched her grandmother sew her and her sister matching floral, floor length dresses for a party. She then began self educating herself with the mentoring of her grandmother and learned all the tricks of the trade. Deanna then moved into acting during her adolescent years and following that she found herself captivated with styling.
Palkowski is a huge Canadian success when it comes to her work with fashion and creative direction. She is signed with Lizbell Agency and her work has been featured in various magazines like ION, Montecristo, Nuvo, Moda and Contributor Magazine as well as brands like Fidelity Denim. She also has her own brand called Minting Die and is looking into collaborating further with friends for new projects. I could write about her all day but I will leave you to check out her interview below and her pics showcasing that chic stylist touch! Enjoy. x
Shorts: Calvin Klein || Top: Vintage || Sunglasses: Oliver Goldsmith
Necklaces: Anna De Courcey & Sleep Standing Up || Bracelets: Philippe Audibert, Minting Die & Catherine Hartley || Rings: Minting Die
Purse: Vintage
Baroque Wedges: Jeffrey Campbell
Kate W: What is your current state of mind?
Deanna P: I feel very accomplished from where I started but hectic at the same time because I want to do more.
KW: Where do you feel most at home?
DP: Honestly, I feel most at home when I’m by myself. This way I’m left to my own thoughts with no one to answer to.
KW: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
DP: When I was younger, my dad would play that trust game with me, the one where you fall and the other person is supposed to catch you from behind, and he would tell me he would catch me but never did! He always said to “Trust nobody” and I feel best when I take matters into my own hands then leaving it with someone else.
KW: What’s your biggest fear?
DP: Falling…Heights scare me. I also find it unnerving to think of not having that one person to share my life with, to share that special connection. I would hate to have to be with the wrong person.
KW: What’s your most prized possession?
DP: It would have to be my grandmother’s ring.
KW: What is your greatest extravagance?
DP: I’m still growing and I’m not there yet. I feel I’m only just starting with my career and would hate to say my greatest extravagance has already occurred.
KW: What was the last thing you bought?
DP: Black Converse shoes.
KW: What was the last film you watched?
DP: The Rum Diary.
KW: Which sites do you visit everyday?
DP: The NY Times, Tumblr & read the News, BoF and visit various magazine sites for inspiration.
KW: Which designers do you see yourself collaborating with?
DP: My talented friends, Central St. Martins, Margiela and Rick Owens.
KW: Black or white?
DP: Instinctively black, but I’m loving white right now – it’s so angelic.
KW: Suspenders or bowties?
DP: Suspenders. I’m over bowties.
KW: Favorite fashion city?
DP: Paris. I feel there’s more talent, creativity and history there. Fashion is a lifestyle in Paris.
KW: What makes you laugh?
DP: Everything. I seem to laugh so easily at anything!
KW: Prints or Neutrals?
DP: Neutrals.
KW: What is your go-to breakfast dish?
DP: Oatmeal with granola and berries!
KW: And what would be your signature drink?
DP: Oh Dirty Martinis and Double Vodka on the Rocks. I have a trick actually when ordering drinks at bars… It’s always loud and you end up going back and forth with the bartender while he asks you multiple times what you want, and no one can hear each other… I’ve solved that. I now have a saved note in my iPhone and just show the bartender the note and signal for “two” so I don’t have to go back later. Works like a charm!
Insanely smart trick ||Double Vodka on the Rocks || Deuces!
KW: What’s a song that you always bust a move to?
DP: I like to drop it low to Diplo – “Express Yourself”.
KW: What are some songs on your playlist at the moment?
DP: “Murda Bizness” – Iggy Azalea & “National Anthem” – Lana Del Ray Remix
KW: What are your fav fashion magazines to read?
DP: Hobo Magazine and ACNE Paper.
KW: What would you say your signature fashion piece is?
DP: Jewellery.
KW: Do you dress mostly by your mood or the day’s events?
DP: The day’s events.
KW: What makes you cry?
DP: Animals dying.
KW: If you could be in any music video, which one would it be?
DP: Any of Prince’s music videos! I love to dance – I have a bootie, so I like bootie dancing moves!
KW: Do you have any fashion idols?
DP: There’s so many people to draw from but Bridget Bardot and Kate Lanphear stand out to me.
KW: Vintage or new?
DP: If it’s a really great vintage piece, yes, but I’d rather always wear something new.
KW: What’s next for you?
DP: I recently became the new Fashion Editor for ION Magazine! I’m very excited to start this next chapter and I would like to bring the magazine to another level.
KW: Thank you for sitting down with me Deanna! I will definitely use your bar trick and perhaps drop it low…;)
www.deannapalkowski.com @deannapalkowski www.ionmagazine.ca
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Words by Kate Wotherspoon || Photos by Mark Piscitelli || Styling by Mark Vassallo 
The Para||el Road 