If you’re not directly involved in the fashion industry, the name David Wolfe probably won’t mean much to you. If you are – it’ll mean everything. The world’s most quoted fashion authority, Wolfe’s forty year career helped turn the retiring young fashion illustrator into the industry’s leading consultant. His ability to predict the coming trends is a product of both his Romany ancestry and his firm understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural trends which make us wear what we wear today – and what we will be wearing five years down the line. When Donna Karen, Anna Sui, Calvin Klein and Jean-Paul Gaultier need to know what to design for their distant collection, it is David Wolfe they come to for guidance.

Kittens in Underpants were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with the handsome sixty-year-old. Relaxing in his Knightsbridge hotel, Amanda Hallay caught up with the newly slimmed-down King of Style.

(NOTE: Amanda Hallay is actually The Princess of Style; David Wolfe is her dad.)

KIU David Wolfe, you started life as a fashion illustrator. Who was the first artist that influenced you?

DW Like all Americans – Walt Disney.

KIU What is your definition of ‘cool’?

DW Confidence without concern.

KIU Which one figure in the 20^th century has had the biggest influence of female fashion?

DW Coco chanel; she made practicality sexy.

KIU What’s your favourite bit in ‘Oliver’?

DW The sweep of Eaton Square in ‘Who Will Buy’.

KIU Which one woman today has the biggest influence on female fashion?

DW Still Madonna – and it’s pathetic, because she’s an assimilator, not an originator.

KIU What was the last big trend that you got excited about?

DW Hip hop. The young, black men in the New York subways in the Eighties were directly linked to Carnaby Street and Les Merveiulleuse of the 1790s.

KIU How would you describe your own personal look?

DW Thin! (David Wolfe has just lost 35lbs on his ‘wonder diet’ and now wears size 33 low-riding jeans.)

KIU How many times have you been on the telly?

DW More times than you’ve had hot pants!

KIU David Wolfe, you are personal friends with the stars of Fashion. What’s Donna Karen like in real life?

DW Driven.

KIU And Karl Lagerfeld?

DW Thin.

(NOTE: (As with all newly slimmed down people, David Wolfe is obsessed with other people’s weight.)

KIU And Calvin Klein?

DW Pushy.

KIU And Jean-Paul Gaultier?

DW Witty.

KIU And Hedi Slimane?

DW Fashion du Jour.

KIU And John Galliano?

DW Certifiably insane.

KIU David Wolfe, you are a well known public figure, yet your personal life is veiled in mystery.  Do you have any children – and if so – which is your favourite?

DW I plead the 5^th Amendment – but I only have 4 children.

KIU What’s the best piece of fashion advice you can give to a woman?

DW Don’t lie to yourself.

KIU And to a man?

DW Lie to women.

KIU In your opinion, what was the most attractive period for female dress?

DW L’Empire (early 19^th century.)

KIU And for men?

DW The Sixties.

KIU Chocolate or Strawberry?

DW Chocolate.

(NOTE: I already knew the answer to this one.)

KIU How would you describe the style of beloved author Amanda Hallay?

DW A giddy heart-beat ahead of fashion.

(Wow! Thanks, Dad!)

KIU What is the biggest fashion mistake of the past thirty years?

DW Grunge.  It gave birth to the lie that laziness could be chic.

KIU What’s the least trendy town in Great Britain?

DW Hythe, near Hastings.

KIU David Wolfe, you are the world’s leading authority on fashion. Have YOU ever made any fashion mistakes (and don’t say ‘no’, cause you bloody well have!)

DW Not without the help of hairdressers and designers.

KIU What’s the absolute funniest book you’ve ever read about British Pop Culture in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

DW The second draft of ‘Fab!’.

KIU You have a dog called Clem. If he wore clothes, what would he wear?

DW Impeccable tennis togs or yachting gear.

KIU Titanic or Gladiator?

DW Titanic.

(NOTE: David Wolfe is wrong.)

KIU Dad, tell everyone that it’s TRUE that when I was three you had a meeting with Mary Quant about doing some illustrations for her and I sat on her desk and she kissed me! Tell ‘em it’s true, Dad!

DW Did that happen?!

KIU Well you always said it did!

DW Then I guess it did.

KIU Well, shall we just say it did and run with it.

DW Yes.

KIU David Wolfe, I like David Cassidy/Essex type hair-dos on boys. Is this normal?

DW We are all imprinted sexually at an early age, and that includes coiffure preferences.

KIU Your ex-wife is rumoured to be the ‘agony aunt’ of a well-known ezine and culture junction.  In your opinion, should she be allowed to give out fashion advice?

DW She is as qualified to give out fashion advice as she is to give out advice on anything.

KIU Anna Sui is my favourite designer. Can you get me some freebies?

DW No.

KIU What’s your own favourite outfit?

DW My Calvin Klein tuxedo and Ralph Lauren pumps.

KIU Do you think headbands and furry legwarmers will ever make a comeback?

DW Yes.

KIU Finally, what should a person say to themselves before they get dressed in the morning?

DW How do I want the world to see me today.

KIU David Wolfe – leading fashion authority – you’ve been great! Do you have a special message you’d like to send out to the international KIU community?

DW (after long pause.) FROCK ON!