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Adam Levine can't confidently tell you what he wore to meet Behati Prinsloo’s parents. We know, we asked. But, that’s not to say that the singer/reality star/newlywed doesn’t consider the occasion to be a special one. We think it's more of a testament to his personal style, that he likes what he likes, goes with what he knows, and dresses intuitively without stepping too outside his own comfort zone. And, that’s exactly how he designed his latest holiday collection for Kmart, as well.
This month, Levine released his second women’s collection (and third men’s) for the retailer. And, whether or not you agree with what Levine has to say about the way he likes a woman to dress, his sartorial venture has been a successful one. His latest debut marks the first holiday offering from the Maroon 5 frontman and The Voice judge — one that, no surprise, draws inspiration from his wife, who he married this past summer.
But, ask Levine what he thinks about his designs and he doesn't get into the nitty gritty details. Actually, he's more likely to talk jeans and tees (the bread and butter of his wardrobe) and dote on Behati. We found out first-hand. Read on for more of Adam's insights into his collection, his wife's style, and why it's almost impossible to wear the wrong thing to meet the parents this holiday season — even if you end up forgetting.
Tell us a bit about the design process. What was different about it this time?
“I tell you this: There are people who consider clothing to be their artistic expression, and I kind of don’t. I like what I like. You know, people really say you have to go with what you love, [the things] that turn me on, that I like to wear, the things that I enjoy that women wear. My personal take is reflected in the line, and I think that that’s always going to be the case, and that will always be my one and only inspiration...
“I tell you this: There are people who consider clothing to be their artistic expression, and I kind of don’t. I like what I like. You know, people really say you have to go with what you love, [the things] that turn me on, that I like to wear, the things that I enjoy that women wear. My personal take is reflected in the line, and I think that that’s always going to be the case, and that will always be my one and only inspiration...
"It’s just what works: super-simple, classic things that I’ve always loved for men and women — that I think that women would really like — not trying to push the envelope too far, because that’s not what I do. I don’t wake up in the morning and put on a Versace gown, although that would be funny if I did.”
Yeah, that would be. Is there any part of the process that's become easier or that you maybe appreciate more now that you’ve had your hands in it for a while?
“Well, I think, you’re as good as the team you have surrounding you, and these guys have come up with such amazing things for me to look at it. Almost every time I walk in there 99% of everything I see I immediately adore. Their ability to kind of come up with what they know I’m going to want has gotten really good. I walk in and I see a presentation and samples...and I'm always kind of blown away by how blown away I am. For me to take too much credit would be ridiculous, because...I was very, very specific and clear with everybody, creative-team wise, in the beginning, and then they’ve really done an amazing job of facilitating that without me having to do much other than oversee.”
“Well, I think, you’re as good as the team you have surrounding you, and these guys have come up with such amazing things for me to look at it. Almost every time I walk in there 99% of everything I see I immediately adore. Their ability to kind of come up with what they know I’m going to want has gotten really good. I walk in and I see a presentation and samples...and I'm always kind of blown away by how blown away I am. For me to take too much credit would be ridiculous, because...I was very, very specific and clear with everybody, creative-team wise, in the beginning, and then they’ve really done an amazing job of facilitating that without me having to do much other than oversee.”
You’ve said before that your wife has also been a really big inspiration for your women’s collections. What’s the best fashion advice Behati’s ever given you?
“Well, I’m also really lucky because my wife happens to be — in my opinion — the best dressed woman out there. Obviously, I’m biased, but I just feel like she’s very creative, inventive, [and has] good taste. I’d be silly not to try to recreate that for the line."
“Well, I’m also really lucky because my wife happens to be — in my opinion — the best dressed woman out there. Obviously, I’m biased, but I just feel like she’s very creative, inventive, [and has] good taste. I’d be silly not to try to recreate that for the line."
Since your new collection is for the holidays and that's a time when couples often meet each other's families, we'd love to get your take on it. For starters, what did you wear when you first met your wife’s parents?
“Oh god, I don’t remember. If I had to put a bet on it, I’d say it was a T-shirt and jeans. I don’t remember what happened yesterday, so unfortunately I can’t remember too specifically.”
“Oh god, I don’t remember. If I had to put a bet on it, I’d say it was a T-shirt and jeans. I don’t remember what happened yesterday, so unfortunately I can’t remember too specifically.”
Do you have any general advice for what women should wear if they're planning to meet the parents?
“Let’s put it this way: if you’re way off the mark, you got some problems. Like, there’s something going on. I mean, it’s pretty easy to dress the right way. There’s so many ways to not miss, so if you’re dressed really inappropriately when you’re going to meet your boyfriend’s parents, there are other things wrong. You could wear anything that’s just not super revealing or risqué. You don’t want to overdo it. You just gotta take it easy — that’s probably the most important thing: subtle.”
“Let’s put it this way: if you’re way off the mark, you got some problems. Like, there’s something going on. I mean, it’s pretty easy to dress the right way. There’s so many ways to not miss, so if you’re dressed really inappropriately when you’re going to meet your boyfriend’s parents, there are other things wrong. You could wear anything that’s just not super revealing or risqué. You don’t want to overdo it. You just gotta take it easy — that’s probably the most important thing: subtle.”
Subtle, for sure. Do you have anything specific in mind?
“God, I don’t know. What I think is passable and what other people think is passable are probably very different. I don’t think it makes a difference as long as it’s not revealing.”
“God, I don’t know. What I think is passable and what other people think is passable are probably very different. I don’t think it makes a difference as long as it’s not revealing.”
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about you?
“I don’t know. People kind of think what they think. I don’t typically try to keep track of that. I think that when you’re in my position, people love to say nasty things sometimes, and the more you listen to it, and the most you internalize it, the more you let them win. Also, to be totally honest, I don’t think it’s really fair to judge anybody that you don’t know. That’s so bizarre. We take these liberties to feel like we know what someone’s like, and I don’t think that’s very fair... Whatever they think, whatever misconceptions there are out there, it’s an unfortunate thing, but what ya' gonna do?”
“I don’t know. People kind of think what they think. I don’t typically try to keep track of that. I think that when you’re in my position, people love to say nasty things sometimes, and the more you listen to it, and the most you internalize it, the more you let them win. Also, to be totally honest, I don’t think it’s really fair to judge anybody that you don’t know. That’s so bizarre. We take these liberties to feel like we know what someone’s like, and I don’t think that’s very fair... Whatever they think, whatever misconceptions there are out there, it’s an unfortunate thing, but what ya' gonna do?”
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