Exclusive SoJones Interview with Simone Kapsalides, DrJays.com’s “Boss Lady”

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: June 18, 2009

 

If you’re a streetwear or urban fashion clothing fan, you are likely already intimately familiar with DrJays.com. You may also know Simone Kapsalides, otherwise known as the ”Boss Lady” on DrJays. As the website’s charismatic frontwoman, she is the visionary that oversees marketing giveaways, directs online content strategy and handles the A-list celeb interviews such as Kimora Lee Simmons, Lil Kim, T.I. and Sean Combs.

Let’s see what the first lady at the front lines of fashion has to say for herself…

 

Please describe your role at DrJays.com.
I’m Content Manager for DrJays.com. My role primarily involves overseeing our content site DrJays.com Live (http://live.drjays.com), hosting our on-camera video interviews, and devising and running our major contests.

 

 

What items or brands have been surprise hits over the last year, this season?
Our top-selling brand, for both men and women, is COOGI. COOGI’s success is phenomenal considering they’ve never done any paid advertising or marketing anywhere. Their brand recognition is just extremely strong. Another brand doing very well is Rich Yung. Fabolous is the celebrity name behind the company and the sales are extremely solid, even though the prices are quite expensive compared to many of our other men’s brands.

 

What are some new brands at DrJays.com that you’re excited about?
We’re the exclusive online retailer of AKOO, T.I.’s brand, so it’s exciting to see the response it’s had and how well it’s been doing for us. T.I’s involved very closely with the brand and it definitely shows in the
quality of the product. We’ve also started a new “Sports Culture” account with Nike; we’re one of the very few major sites to have one legitimately. This means we sell their most popular sneakers, from Blazers to Dunks to Air Maxes to Air Force Ones and more.

What items or brands are you having trouble keeping in stock?
AKOO definitely; we’re constantly having to make re-orders. Also Rocawear is doing very well – the brand has definitely grown up with its customer base and their past few collections have generated a very positive response. G-Shock Watches is another brand that pretty much sells out as soon as it hits the site also.

Who are the top 2-3 celebrity fashion influencers right now on the DrJays market?
Anything Fabolous wears is watched closely by many of our male customers (he’s considered fresher than most) and although their style differs, Beyoncé and Rihanna are definite trendsetters for the females.

What was the first time you spent major bucks on an apparel or footwear item for yourself?
I remember buying a pair of Escada heels when I was 21, which was a very major moment for me. I saved for months for this one particular pair; ever since Biggie name-dropped the brand it stayed with me. I wore those shoes to death!

What should we be watching out for from DrJays.com this year? (expansions, stores, PR events, media etc)
Well in terms of stores, none – it’s not a widely known fact, but DrJays.com is a separate company from the Dr. Jays stores. There’s definitely a relationship between us though. It’s DrJays.com’s tenth anniversary this year, so we’re looking to celebrate that in a big way. In the meantime we’re happy developing our growing marketing and content department (for example, we just started a partnership with Allhiphop.com, sponsoring their fashion section) and serving our valued customers as best we can.

What fashion trend(s) are soooo over?
Skinny jeans on men need to go hang up their jersey and retire immediately. The trend is done. My ladies also need to realize not all of us look good in a pair of harem pants.

How is the recession affecting DrJays customers buying habits?
The recession has affected everyone in some way, shape or form, but we’re extremely grateful that our customers have continued to do business with us throughout this tough time. Thanks to this DrJays.com continues to grow every year.

 

 

SoJones readers want to buy 2-3 pieces that are going to last for at least several seasons. Recommendations for men and women?
“For men I’d recommend:

The Bends Woven by AKOO, $98

International Denim Jeans by CAVI, $120

and Air Force One Mid’s by Nike, $92“

“For ladies I’d recommend:

Cap Sleeve Woven with Belt by Baby Phat, $27.99

Medium Wash Skinny Jean by Vigoss, $22.99 

and Baby G Classic Watch by G-Shock, $63.99

About DrJays.com’s “Boss Lady”, Simone Kapsalides

Ms. Kapsalides is an international journalist who’s currently the host of DrJays.com Live.

Published in magazines from the age of 17 in her home country of Australia and abroad, she has interviewed stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Afeni Shakur, Diddy, Usher and Aaliyah (RIP) throughout her rewarding career.

Boss Lady is the Content Manager of DJ Networks, a multifaceted company comprised of leading online street fashion retailer DrJays.com, upscale style destination DJPremium.com, online service provider to lifestyle brands Akademiks and Live Mechanics and social networking site StreetStyle.com.

Born and raised in Sydney’s Inner West and of Lebanese and Greek Cypriot heritage, Boss Lady graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a journalism degree in 2002. In late 2003, she became the Founder/Editor of Urban Hitz, Australia and New Zealand’s longest-running, highest-selling and much loved on-sale urban music and culture magazine.

In 2003 she starred in the SBS documentary Under One Roof, a series focusing on the varying lives of Australian families. Her family was chosen as the “multicultural single parent family”, and in addition to Boss Lady, her mother and younger sister were featured.

Boss Lady has previously appeared on MTV Australia reporting urban music news, and is now based in New York City as not only DJ Networks’ Content Manager where she manages the blogs, forums and major contests, but is also the creator and host of the entertainment channel of the company’s flagship website, DrJays.com Live.