theCool Meets: The Simmons Sisters & Jessica Jarrell on PASTRY

22
Nov

Having watched Run’s House and Daddy’s Girls, you kind of feel like you know people on the show right, so when theCool got the chance to actually interview Vanessa & Angela Simmons earlier this month, it was like a dream come true. Their footwear brand Pastry makes a big push for the European market, so we sat down with the creative two, alongside Jessica Jarrell their new brand amabassador and talked business!

Check it out below…

TCF: We’re sure you get this all the time, but just for theCool why the name Pastry?

Vanessa Simmons: Well…The first name for the company was CAKE actually, but that was taken, and although we were heartbroken, because we are equally obsessed with Pastries – Angela used to make such great pastries, real nice confetti cakes we went with that.

The other day I made a honey pound cake, and I was very proud of myself!

Angela Simmons: Yes, I’m top chef over here ok!

TCF: The silhouette used for Pastry is very unique for Women’s footwear, how did that come about?

Vanessa Simmons: We’ve always been about the sleek and chic look for our footwear. Our goal has always been to have footwear for the sweet women, the chic women, and the unique women. Sleek and sexy for women to wear, whether they are going to wear it with jeans, during the day, that was our goal.

Angela Simmons: We looked for a feminine silhouette, we made that very clear from the beginning just so its not bulky, but very feminine, and suitable for what we want out of athletic shoes, we worked really hard on that.

TCF: Opening up to the European market, with brand ambassadors like Mz Bratt and Jessica Jarrell what do you think we can take away from them?

Vanessa Simmons: The brand ambassadors that were chosen really represent out brand. Going forward, we’ve always loved working with new artists that represent our brand and the message, which is to be a fearless woman who is unafraid to succeed and go for their passion and make things happen. That’s really what Pastry represents, and Mz Bratt and Jessica’s style really embodies Pastry, so going forward that is always what we’ll be looking for. We’re growing and involving, shown in our collaboration with Hello Kitty, always growing not being stagnant.

TCF: How has it been for you Jessica, how do you take this role, and what it can do for the brand and for yourself?

Jessica Jarrell: Pastry’s great. I’ve worn them before, and really wanted to work with them. I just like everything they represent, the different styles, and girls have something to look up to and aspire to become, and it more than just the shoes, it’s the entire message which I’m all about, something positive. It’s cool to be able to put that out there!

TCF: In terms of collaborations girls, is there anything we can be looking forward to?

Angela Simmons: A lot of our focus is on the Hello Kitty collaboration but there is definitely more in the bag!

Vanessa Simmons: We definitely like to take our time, and pace ourselves, and not just jump into any thing, just so each release has its time to breath and become popular.

TCF: In terms of like UK Streetwear and UK brands, have you gotten familiar with any and if so who’d you like?

Angela Simmons: A brand that I’m definitely digging right now is Trapstar,[in reference to the owner] he’s a cool person, and he has some really cool pieces. I like how he does custom pieces, and cool shirts and hats. And then when I go shopping I really like to go Selfridges, Topshop are incredible.

Vanessa Simmons: I love Topshop, and I’m glad that’s not considered touristy!

Angela Simmons: River Island is pretty cool, nice bargains in there. I love shopping all around, wherever I see cool stuff I jump in!

TCF: Obviously you do cater to the women’s market, but could there be a venture into Mens footwear for Pastry?

Vanessa Simmons: NO… The main colour is PINK!

Angela Simmons: If ever we were, it wouldn’t be Pastry.

Vanessa Simmons: But there is Chiv Culture

Angela Simmons: Yeh I mean whenever someone asks, I always say go Chivalrous Culture. Our Brother he’s a menswear designer, has great style, so yeh that pretty much covers it.

TCF: On that note – How’s it working with family?

Angela Simmons: HORRIBBBLEEE [laughs]

Vanessa Simmons: [laughs] It can be challenging sometimes, but I would rather be working with my sister then just some random person, or a friend. The line with friendship and business can sometimes get blurred – yes I’m learning! I enjoy the fact that sometimes with my sister we could get into a big fight, but then seconds later we’ll be ok, because its about the business.

TCF: How do you balance your other commitments with running a business like Pastries?

Vanessa Simmons: Lots of organisation, little sleep!

Angela Simmons: You gotta make time for everything that you wanna do, so keep things in check!

Vanessa Simmons: Stay focused, always driven by your passion and why you started. Never let money take over, never do it for fame, always keep it true to why you started. I act because I love to act. So when I have a gig, I’m waking up 4 hours before to get to work.

We do Pastry, because we absolutely love the fact that we can send the message out to young ladies that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. All about fearless girl going after her dreams.

TCF: What advise would you give girls/young people trying to make it into the music scene or make it creatively, who see you [Jessica] working with Pastry and want to grow to that level?

Jessica Jarrell: It’s crazy, because a lot of people ask me, how can I do this, or how can I do that and I just think the whole thing is, and they [Vanessa & Angela Simmons] say this a lot, it’s all about believing in yourself. You have to be willing to work hard. There is definitely a lot of No’s, but where there is No’s there are Yes’, and you can’t get discouraged by a no.

It’s like being an actress, you may be a great actress, but if your not right for that part then it’s a no, but if you say ‘I’m giving up’ then you’ll never get to your yes! You have to keep working and be driven, and if your not, then you shouldn’t get into it.

Vanessa Simmons: It’s so funny you say that ‘cos I always say this ‘You can always expect a No, but never accept a No!’ Because there’s gonna be a thousand no’s before the one yes that could change your life.

The Pastry collections are available exclusively at Foot Locker in the UK… GO GO GO!!