The first time I heard Carishma’s song, Glow In The Dark I instantly fell in love. Her voice and style are so exotic glam and the songs are so fun and girly. Few unsigned singers can get über-producer Timbaland and legendary songwriter/producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins to produce tracks for them. But few have had the drive, energy, ambition and talent as Carishma. We sat down with the rising star for an exclusive interview. Read On.
HM: Describe your style in one word.
C: Chameleon.
HM: Who is your favorite designer?
C: I like wearing clothes that capture my mood, so it really depends on how I feel that day and where I’m going. Right now, I’m really feeling Balmain.
HM: What is your dream travel destination?
C: My dream travel destination is Bali. Hopefully they like my upcoming single “Like A Rainbow” and I can perform there in the next few months!
HM: What would you pack if you could only bring one item?
C: I would have to bring my iPhone. I can do so much with it: write songs, listen to music, look through photos and videos, stay up on pop-culture, and engage with fans on Facebook and Twitter.
HM: What makes you feel glamorous?
C: Getting styled for my video shoots makes me feel very glamorous. Putting on unique outfits, one-of-a-kind pumps, and elaborate jewelry sets me off. I actually designed the hand-piece I’m wearing in the “Glow In The Dark” video with Rodrigo Otazu, a jewelry designer in New York. The feeling lasts even longer than the video shoot because at the end of the day you are on such an endorphin high. It’s like running a marathon.
HM: What is your best-kept beauty secret?
C: SPF! I have a morning and evening skin regimen. In the morning, I wash my face with Skin Medica, use an acne spot treatment, if needed, and an SPF face cream called Journee. At night, I do the same, except I use a night crème and an eye cream. But the key is using SPF during the day because sun exposure is the number one cause of aging.
HM: What advice would you give to those who are aspiring to make it big in the fashion industry?
C: Russell Simmons once said, “You can’t fail until you quit” — a mantra that has guided my work ethic to this day. In the past I was told I wasn’t good enough, but when I got the opportunity to work with Timbaland, his exact words to me were, “You’re dope!” If I had quit the first time someone put me down, I would never have gotten the chance to work with Timbaland.
HM: Who has the best tweets?
C: Chelsea Handler and Rihanna have the best tweets. A lot of artists have people tweet for them, but Rihanna tweets herself, which I love. I make it a point to respond to people who tweet me. I love following Chelsea because she’s such a boss lady, and she is so real and funny, and it comes across in her tweets.
HM: What is your favorite online shopping destination?
C: I prefer to buy my clothes in the stores, this way I can try them on & see how they fit. It’s also much more self-gratifying to buy in the store because you see it, love it, and then buy it all in the same day! With online sales you have to wait for the clothes to come.
HM: What are your three fashion must-haves?
C: My first fashion must-have is my bangles. Whenever my mom goes to India, she brings back the most beautiful bangles from Jaipur. It’s the only place in the world you can get them. Every time I wear them I get stopped by people admiring them. Second would be my Haath-Phool’s, a hand-piece that fits over the hand and wrist. The concept originates in India and is traditionally worn by brides on their wedding day. I wanted to take that concept and design an edgy, unique fashion piece, so I worked with Rodrigo Otazu on the one I wear in the “Glow In The Dark” video. I plan on creating all kinds of them for my videos and performances. The third thing I’m loving right now is my black Theory leather jacket, which I grab every time I leave the house.
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