Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Line Dancing, Reality TV & Collabs

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L.A. based stylists Emily Current and Meritt Elliott are the design duo behind the denim label Current/Elliott. The two also have a collaboration with Kate Spade New York for Westward that's set to hit stores next month.

We caught up with them and picked their brain on various topics ranging from Carmageddon to possibly directing a movie together. Could they be the next Tom Ford? Well, more on that later.

Racked: How long have you been living in Southern California?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Since 1995 when we came here as freshman at UCLA wearing M.A.C. Spice lip liner and baby tees. Those were the days!

Racked: What was Carmageddon like?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Are you sure this mythical Carmageddon actually ensued? We didn’t notice anything ‘round here.

Racked: What projects are you currently working on?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Where to begin? Doing press for Westward with Kate Spade. Putting together fall 2012 concept boards for Current/Elliott. Working on some looks for a video for Sara Bareilles. Pulling together some red carpet looks for Emma Roberts and Mandy Moore. Writing a column for Fashion Week Daily. Learning to cook. Practicing yoga. And trying to stop biting our nails.

Racked: How do you juggle all of your various interests?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: By just biting the bullet and actually attempting to do each of the things that inspires us without fear. We just dive right in. Luckily most of what we do is fashion related so we are able to use a sort of collective conscious and common world view when styling and designing and writing. Each task helps us be better at the next.

Racked: You travel a lot for work. What has been your favorite location?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: We love to travel for work! It’s an excuse to go to new places! We have had some amazing times in Paris and Milan! But our most favorite place to go is Nashville—between the vintage stores and live music (and hush puppies) it just makes for a good time! We tried line dancing a few years ago in Nashville and, needless to say we are so glad that it is not on video.

Racked: What's next for you two? Anything coming down the pipeline?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Yes! But we couldn’t dare say yet! Tom Ford said recently that he believes you should first do something and THEN talk about it. Yeah, whatever Tom says.

Racked: If you weren't stylists and designers, what would you be doing?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: We always say movie directors as a team! Our job is to create little worlds with a distinct mood and point of view. Directing seems like a version of this and it would be amazing to be a part of a visual story coming to life. Hey, never say never.

Racked: If someone handed each of you $10,000, what would you do with it?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Donate it to Phase One cancer research charity benefiting shared cancer research. [Note: A portion of the proceeds from the Westward collection by Emily and Meritt for Kate Spade New York will be donated to Phase One.]

Racked: What are some of your favorite labels?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Lover, Vanessa Bruno, Chloe, Miu Miu, Prada, Isabel Marant, Repetto, and Tsumori Chisato.

Racked: When you're in a pinch for a great outfit, where do you head?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Creatures of Comfort on Melrose or Opening Ceremony.

Racked: In all the world, what's your favorite store?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Scarlett in Paris on 10 Rue-Clément Marot, Eighth Arr.; 33-1/56-89-03-00.

Racked: What's one piece of advice that you always adhere to?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Be kind.

Racked: Another fashion duo recently took on the roles of creative directors at Kenzo. If you could work at any brand, what would it be?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: We have a fascination with American brands like Levis, Lee, Wrangler and retailers such as the Gap and LL Bean.

Racked: Once you come back from a work trip, what's the first thing you do?

Emily Current & Meritt Elliott: Lay in bed with our loved ones/children/animals and watch some terrible American reality show.
· Emily Current & Meritt Elliott [Official Site]
· Current/Elliott [Official Site]
· Current/Elliott Founders Design a Handbag Collection for Kate Spade [Racked]