Krystal Simpson is, by her own admission, not afraid to ruffle feathers.  Her refusal to march to someone else’s beat has made her 2-year-old blog, WhatIsRealityAnyway, a must-read diversion for several hundred thousand visitors every month, and helped open doors to design collaborations with Coach and Quiksilver.

ChickAdvisor: What inspired you to start blogging?

Krystal Simpson: After I was on MTV I was offered lots of ridiculous opportunities in entertainment, and at the time the idea of being known by the world [on someone else’s terms] really freaked me out, and I wanted to start something on my own, with my real voice, and go back to basics. I’ve always known that I would never have a real job, I just couldn’t. I have to be doing something creative that comes from me.

Krystal Simpson for Coach Black Fringe Shoulder Bag, $498 (inset)

CA: Who are your top fashion icons?

KS: Keith Richards, Anita Pallenberg—the original rock super duo, wearing each other’s clothes, and Keith with  his swagger, and—ahh-- that haircut. And Anita with her dark glamour, feather boas, on Keith’s arm, and together they were this dangerously glamorous force.


CA: Where do you get the inspiration for your outfits?

KS: Listening to great music from Thin Lizzy, Janis Joplin, Queen, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, T Rex, Neil Young, The Faces. Movies like the 1972 Stones movie Cocksucker Blues, Alfie, Annia Hall, Ciao! Manhattan, and Almost Famous (of course). And there are so many books that really conjure up lots of visual inspiration like I’m With the Band by Pamela Des Barres,Wonderful Tonight by Pattie Boyd, Keith Richards by Victor Bockris, and anything by Hunter S. Thompson. When I was a kid I used to sit for hours watching these movies, at the same time reading through rock and roll books, and when I was out I would be listening to their music. I ate drank and dreamed in that world, I still do.

A glimpse in her closet

CA: Who is your favourite designer?

KS: It’s like Isabel Marant is making things just for me, I just love her stuff. I also really love Chloe, Miu Miu, Alexander Wang, Karen Walker, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rag and Bone, L.A.M.B, Alaia, Balmain…the list goes on.

CA: Do you have a guilty pleasure?

KS: I love bad reality TV, spending too much money on useless things, 14-dollar international music and fashion magazines that I can’t always read, staying out all night and sleeping till noon.

Inspired yet?  Visit Krystal at WhatIsRealityAnyway.