5 QUESTIONS WITH CHELSEA SCHUCHMAN

There is much more to Chelsea Schuchman than her sexy tummy freckles, dirty blonde locks and angelic face. A woman of many talents, the actress / model / muse is currently working day and night on an independent movie with a rising star filmmaker from the Netherlands, Felix Van Kleeff. Well-versed in contemporary arts and cinema, we wouldn't be surprised to see her become a trusted art advisor or even surprise us with a directorial debut in the future. Read the quickie interview below as the star of our Starry Nights lookbook makes you yearn for an endless summer...

Describe your ideal 4th of July Day...

I wake up alone and kiss my liberty rifle that's next to my bed. In the shower, I recite the declaration of independence while making a shampoo hat that looks similar to the style of our founding fathers on Mt. Washington rinse and deep condition... Then, I put on my favorite 4th of July bikini (solid and striped is the brand) it's red white and blue obvi - and I lay respectfully on the American flag while I bask in the California sun. I'm listening to Jimi Hendrix harmonious rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" while sipping on a PBR loving on my county, the land of the free.

Favorite summer drink:

Tom Collins blended with ice. Or a lemonade with vodka, soda and ice.

5 music for a road trip playlist:

Brian Jonestown Massacre Tepid Peppermint Wonderland on repeat 

Describe your personal style:

My personal style is very relaxed and classic. I don't like paying too much attention to trends. But, I love recreating moments that have inspired me. For example, recreating a vibe of the Dude's Character in the Big Lebowski, or make-up inspiration Celine Dion's look on the Lets Talk About Love album cover. 

What's your favorite piece of jewelry from Starry Nights and how you would style it? 

It would have to be the Mahina belly chain. At first when I saw it, it reminded me of an Aaliyah moment when worn low with Calvin Klein underwear with baggy Adidas track pants or boyfriend jeans... But I would wear it high on the waist, above the belly button right bellow the rib, maybe stacking a couple or just one with high waisted jeans and a cropped t-shirt / button up blouse. They accentuate the waist and make it look tiny!

Follow Chelsea on Instagram @chelseaschuchman and shop our Starry Nights collection here! 

STARRY NIGHTS | THE VIDEO

Our Starry Nights lookbook video is finally here! We couldn't be more excited to share it with you! All of us had such a blast shooting this collection along the dirt roads and orange groves, tucked away in the mountains at this funky little property out in Ojai! Drinking up the summer sangria, running around in the cacti, swinging in hanging gypsy beds and soaking in hot tubs ending the night talking about love and lovers! We'd like to kick it off with a huge shoutout to our friend and amazing videographer Michael Blank for bringing this collection to life! It's all about wild days in the sun and warm nights under the stars. No care in the world! Friends, summer love and seriously good times! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Shop the Starry Nights collection here!

Team Credits: 

Videographer: Michael Blank

Photographer: Andrew Kuykendall 

Model: Chelsea Schuchman

Stylist: Dalit Gwenna

Hair: Ramsell Martinez

Makeup: Dana Delaney 

Creative Director: Vanessa Mooney

Producer: Vivianne Lapointe 

LOOKING FOR AMAZING CREATIVE PRODUCTION DESIGNERS TO JOIN THE VM TEAM!

We are currently seeking qualified, creative, and experienced production designers babes to join our team!

This position requires a qualified and experienced jewelry assembler with a keen attention to detail and quality. The skills needed are wire wrapping, jump rings, beading, eye pins, and head pins.

This is a full time assembly position, located in Glassell Park. 

For more information and to apply please send resumes to careers@vanessamooney.com

GOOD GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN... BAD GIRLS GO TO BANDIT TOWN.

Imagine driving up towards Yosemite with your best friend, stopping by a bar in the middle of nowhere and finding the listing for a ghost town that has been for sale for 17 years in a dusty real estate booklet. You can call this luck, we call it Jennifer McMillan's destiny. With a shy $100 in the bank, somehow, Jennifer rounded up some backers and bought what would become Bandit Town - the greatest little Western Town in North Folk, CA that's now home to music festivals, motorcycle shoes, weddings, camp outs, rodeos, yoga on the dance floor... You name it. Read the interview below and you'll find it pretty obvious why we have a big ol' girl crush on Jen and why we decided to carry her line on the site. Shop Bandit Brand, here! 

What does the Summer of 2015 look like for you over at Bandit Town? 

We are mostly just working on repairs at Bandit Town this Summer. It leaks when it rains in all of the buildings so we weren't able to start making the insides cool until we got the outsides in order. Had to cut down a ton of dead Pine Trees but have been milling the wood so that it all goes right back into the town. Our next two confirmed events are July 4th and Labor Day. We are just having camping only on July 4th, we donated our band and our PA to the Loggers Jamboree and we would all rather be there that weekend. Brittany my assistant is running for Jamboree Queen :) and Labor Day info will be announced in July. Our Bandit Town USA Facebook or our Instagram @bandit_brand are the best ways to see what's coming up. We also have some weddings, Party for Stetson Hats and other cool stuff.

Can you describe the Bandit Town experience in 2 sentences for someone who hasn’t been?

Laid back good time with good friends and good music. Fry Bread Indian Tacos.

What and who are you inspired by right now? 

I'm inspired by the community in North Fork and the area in general. The town is full of helpful amazing people and has a good share of characters. The town went to shit after the Mill closed in 1994 and everyone lost their jobs and left so businesses closed down and it has a reputation as a "bad" town so we fit right in. But like us we aren't really bad, just a little misunderstood... And I like it that way. Keeps the rif raf out (and by rif raf I mean fancy people). 

At this point in your life, what does freedom mean to you? 

It means everything. I did my time. Put on my costume for jobs... I wore a McDonald's Visor and Maternity outfit, I wore stupid shit from the mall to my receptionist job and wore makeup even though I hate wearing make up (except on date nights ha). I woke up early and drove my son to day care in the snow and sat in the same chair in the same office for years and I'm glad I did because I don't take one minute of my time for granted anymore. 

But real talk, if you had a normal job, what would it be? 

Holy crap. This question is harder than I thought. Racking my brain and just realized I'm 42 and never have figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Is Trailer Park Manager a normal job?

What’s your favorite thing about living in California? 

The weather and the fact that I live in a small town in the woods, but can be at the beach in 3 hours or LA/SF in about 4 if I need to handle business.

What’s on your playlist right now?

Savoy Brown, Traffic, Stephen Stills....

Can you describe the Bandit Brand girl for us? 

Good Hearted Bad Girls.

How would you pair Vanessa Mooney with Bandit Brand? 

I love the Dreamer and Midsummer Night Rings, Mojave Cuffs and the Mess Around Concho Wrap Chokers. They would look awesome with these our tees! 

What’s your life motto?

Unfuck the world.

STARRY NIGHTS | SS15 LOOKBOOK

The world opens up and you run madly into the abyss, the warm exhilaration of freedom tracing your spine. You’ve got an untamed heart and a curious mind; a wild streak and a summer of reckless abandon. Enter our latest collection, Starry Nights. Inspired by a lust for summer and the excitement of a fast life, the collection is an ode to classic Americana vibes and fearless women. Andrew Kuykendall photographs the beautiful Chelsea Schuchman as she lavishes in her youthful independence while donning our creations.

Shot in Ojai, California, Starry Nights acts as a source of visual inspiration, stimulating the eye and inspiring the spectator to relax, indulge, and appreciate the beauty of losing one’s inhibitions. It is a nod to late nights and crazier days where each moment leaves an imprint upon your memory. Mooney’s latest creations are beautiful - delicate enough to be layered yet bold enough to wear alone. She has seamlessly embodied the All American Summer in this collection, with staple pieces that will have you hoping for an Indian Summer. For those who live free, we introduce Starry Nights.

Team Credits: 

Photographer: Andrew Kuykendall 

Model: Chelsea Schuchman

Stylist: Dalit Gwenna

Hair: Ramsell Martinez

Makeup: Dana Delaney 

Creative Director: Vanessa Mooney

Producer: Vivianne Lapointe 

Videographer: Michael Blank