Stylist Program

While DUMBO may not be a destination most are familiar with, it happens to be a vital front on fashion’s radar screen. But more importantly, it’s where two of the industry’s most sought after stylists formed a lifetime alliance.

As an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, this artists’ district of Brooklyn is a magnet for the young, fresh and creative. Which is why in 2003, DUMBO was designer Zoe Buck’s latest claim in her long, long list of metropolitan zip codes. And one night, serving as the elevator girl at a neighborhood party, the doors of opportunity (literally) opened again when the much buzzed about stylist Kristina Dechter sauntered in.

At the time, Kristina was busy making a name for herself at Lucky and Paper while Zoe was embarking on a co-partnership with friend and fellow designer Quinn Asteak for the launch of These Three Things (thesethreethings.org). Up until then, K and Z had led entirely different lives, with contrasting backgrounds, experiences and attitudes. But as they say, opposites attract. And what followed was a whirlwind of collaborative ideas and projects. Including a never-quite-made-it-to-publication style zine titled, We Live In A Bubble, where their top picks for all things to die for would be profiled.

Together, the KDZB team became known for producing editorials that were equal parts rebel punk, high fashion and celebrity cool. Or as Zoe puts it, “looks that were accessible, but not easily attainable.”

Fast forward to early 2008 when a quirky set of circumstances had Kristina searching for a change of scenery—and a phone call from an old friend set her in motion. It seemed that a new and popular fashion/ocean/art/music magazine in Laguna Beach was in need of a makeover of sorts. Would she be interested in serving as editor? She was, and in a few weeks (and a hellish three-day cross country road trip) she was there.

Kristina’s one stipulation of course was that Zoe would serve as associate editor. Now several months and three issues of the re-loved FOAM behind them, it looks like their dream Bubble zine has come to life after all—with zero signs of it bursting.