nunu

Simon Doonan, the fashion industry’s cheekiest personality and disher of irreverent witticisms and style tips for those looking to unleash their inner Little Edie, launched his latest tome, Eccentric Glamour, at Barneys New York last night. First in line for a signing by the author, his copy fresh from Amazon? Mr. John Waters, who’s responsible for creating some pretty deliciously eccentric universes himself. Here, Waters talks to The Nunu about Botox, eccentric glamour, and why Paris is so damn fashionable.

You and Simon Doonan definitely have a similar sensibility. What I’m getting from his new book is that it is really anti-fake boobs and Botox and this tabloid idea of glamour. What’s your take on eccentric glamour?

Well, I played the Grim Reaper on television. If I had gotten Botox, I would have never have gotten the part! I’d be afraid. Even when I see people who have had really good facelifts, they still look like somebody else. That’s my fear - not looking like a freak. But what’s the point of looking like a younger you if you look somebody else? Have you seen Connie Francis’ facelift?

No….

It is the most amazing of all.

In what sense, because it looks so bad?

Well, I don’t want to say that. But it is an extreme look! It is science fiction. Maybe she wanted that. Who’s sorry now? I don’t know. But it is quite a picture. It was in the Globe this week.

Maybe that’s the future, people doing really radical surgeries.

Well in L.A., they all look like that.

Maybe that, in a way, is just another type of eccentricity. Though I guess it’s not very glamorous.

Those people with the really extreme facials, they don’t look old, they just look frightening. They don’t look young. I don’t know. It’s really just a dumb thing for actors to do, though, because unless you’re making a movie about an insane movie star, what can they play?

What does eccentric glamour mean to you?

Eccentric glamour is effortless. It’s just an inner fashion sense that has nothing to do with money. It’s when you’ve just found your look. It can be a band-aid, it can be a rag. It’s a signature look that somebody effortlessly put together that’s singularly them and that other people copy. That’s eccentric glamour. You can’t plan to be it, you just have to have it.

Your moustache would be a good example.

Well, I didn’t say that, you did, but I’ve had it since I was 19. In Baltimore, everybody finds a good look and sticks with it. And New York is like Paris, everybody has a style here, everybody has a look. They’re skinny, and wearing black. That’s a good look, always. Too much eye makeup, too thin.

It’s hard to argue with that.

And good shoes.

I feel like New York is becoming a little bland these days.

Everywhere is today. But in fashion, I don’t think it is. In Paris, everyone looks great.

Paris is a great city for fashion inspiration.

Everybody looks good there. Even charwomen have flair.

[Photo by Ryan Saylor]