Justin Barco is a busy man. As a stylist, designer, model and budding actor, much of Barco’s life epitomizes what many have come to both cherish and loathe about Los Angeles. Born in Guatemala, and raised in Long Beach, it was Justin’s look that first caught my attention; a vibrant mix of old and new that celebrates the eccentricities of high fashion. A fixture of the Los Angeles nightlife many only hear about, I caught up with Justin on his way to a private party for will.i.am, allowing for a unique glimpse into his thoughts on style, women and the importance of individuality.

So, what eras inspire you?

The ’60s fading into the ’70s. I feel like people in that era had to help the people around them. The Black Panthers were doing their thing. There was Martin Luther King, he died early in the generation but he had such a huge impact. We had JFK… The music, the mix between Europe and the states. The freedom. Hunter S. Thompson!

I was just reading about him today.

He’s the shit.

What do you like about him?

That he didn’t give a fuck! “I’m gonna pop LSD, drink my liquor, be a politician and change the world!” Obstacles stopped him. 2000 something he ended up killing himself.

Hunter S. Thompson

There was a lot of negativity around back then. But at the same time, there’s a lot of negativity going on now. But I feel like this generation is the closest to relating to that generation, the ’60s, because it’s all tying in, the culture, the fashion. Fashion is good. Fashion tells stories, you know?

What do you mean by that?

Fashion. Like, if you step outside and you see some girl walking around in a flowy polka dotted dress, red lipstick, heavy eye liner and her hair a certain way, it’ll automatically direct you to a certain generation, like the ’50s. Or another girl in a mod dress, it’ll direct you to the ’60s.

Fashion can definitely inform in that way.

Yeah, it’s education. Fashion tells where you come from.

Are you talking about fashion, or are you talking about style? What’s the difference between the two?

Fashion is inspiration to me. Fashion tells stories. It’s self expression. If you’re not afraid to wear certain shit it means a lot. It’s like everyday is Halloween.

I see dudes and they’re like, “What am I gonna wear a suit for? I’m not going to a business meeting…” You’re gonna wear a suit because that shit is fresh! “Why am I gonna wear something tailored?” Because it fits! Why wouldn’t you? And that’s the thing I like about previous generations. If you go back further to the ’50s and ’40s, you Google other eras and you see dudes in slacks and loafers and shirts, everything almost tailored, you know. Everything was sophisticated.

It’s all about respecting yourself. You gotta carry yourself a certain way because you’re a being. If you’re putting a sweater on your dog, then tie one around your neck and do so for yourself you know. We’re human, we’re people, so carry yourself to a certain standard. And I think that with clothes you’re allowed to do that. That’s where style ties in.

How does style tie in?

I think style and respect are friends. If you respect yourself, then you’ll dress up. Not more so for the next man, or a woman, but for yourself. Cultures try to base how they dress on how other people dress, and that’s not what it’s about, it’s about finding a style that suits you to have other people respect you for who you are.

Oh shit..

Because if you’re dressed like everybody else, you’re just part of that trend. You just blend in. It’s just like walking into Best Buy; everybody’s wearin’ a blue shirt.

Why do you think it’s so hard for people to present themselves as individuals and stand out?

I don’t know. But that’s what it’s about. That’s what life is.

But people have trouble doing that….

And that’s what hopefully people can see when they read this. Hopefully they reflect on themselves, and they’re like, “Oh shit, I’ve got some gear in my closet that I got with my girlfriend so we can have a twin day.” But it’s very important for an individual to be an individual. We’re on this earth for a reason. We might never know the reason, but there’s this quote that I read, that said, “If God is watching, the least we can do is be entertaining.”

What I take from that is to not follow what the next man is doing, but be an individual and stand for the people that don’t have a voice. Because there’s people around the world that don’t have an option to choose what they wear on a daily basis. We have women in the Middle East that have to cover up almost every inch of their body. But whether they wanted to wear that or not, they have men whippin’ them if they show their hands or their face you know. That’s the type of world we’re living in. So if you have an option to express yourself, then do it.

It’s almost our obligation, you’re saying?

Yeah, it’s our obligation to inspire, to dance. To do music, to make films. To create life! Like dancing. Dancing is huge dude.

I know!

If you don’t dance, what are you doing?

I don’t know!

If you hear music and your body doesn’t move… [laughs], get out of here. That doesn’t work.

They’re forcing themselves not to dance then.

It’s like you’re grinding your teeth together, and putting your hands in your pocket and trying really hard not to dance. You know, the best dancers are the people that don’t know how to dance, because they have the most fun. You’re not trying to bust a move, you’re trying to get a groove.

I feel you.

And if you’re in the right spot, you’re good! People vibe. That’s how people work. The energy that you give off. That’s why I like Studio 54.

Yeah me too. I wish I was in there.

Time machine, let’s build it!

That’s why I like ’90s house too. You know, funk and soul. Because it’s uplifting music. You could be arguing with your girlfriend, but as soon as you hang up, you play a song that’s funky and you’re gonna dance, regardless of if you were mad or not. That’s the power of art. It’ll change your perception of whatever situation you’re in. That’s why I listen to a lot of funk and soul.

Who are some of your favorites?

I recently stumbled across this group called The Revenge Rework. They do a lot of funk mixes. There’s this group called Tiger & Woods. And then Marvin Gaye. You gotta like Marvin Gaye, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, she’s dope. I got to meet her the other day and dance with her.

What?

I was at this party and then a friend of mine introduced me to her. And we just started groovin’, like no words were said. We just introduced ourselves and started dancing.

You and Chaka Khan?

Yeah dude it was epic.

As far as fashion designers go, who are some of your favorites?

There are designs that I like here and there, but as far as designers that I follow at the moment there aren’t too many. I mean Gianni Versace… Gianni is the shit.

How come?

Because he explored. He explored with colors and shapes. He explored with textures. He did a lot of good collections in the ’80s and ’90s. And then Emilio Pucci. His designs are just radical. He took psychedelic shapes and created a whole new type of style around it. He created architecture with his clothing, and that’s beautiful. I like Pierre Cardin. If I could take over a brand and design for it, it’d probably be that.

Pierre Cardin – 60 Years of Innovation

I like Andre Courreges. He’s another designer from the ’60s. I think he invented go-go boots and miniskirts. I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure he did. He made a lot of mod dresses. He’s one of the reasons why skirts got shorter. Before then, everyone was wearing skirts below their knees. I mean Chanel made beautiful women’s suits. Gabriel Chanel made amazing suits for women. She’s one of my favorites too. The way she carried herself you know, like royalty.

My friend Ivie told me once, you know an outfit is proper on you if you feel good in it.

Hell yeah. Clothes give you confidence.

Straight up. They’re a self esteem boost.

If any dude is depressed, throw him in a tailored suit, put him in front of the mirror and play some music, and he’ll be good. [laughs] Play some funky disco shit, and he’ll be good. If a girl’s depressed about her looks, find a dress that suits her figure, put her in the mirror, she’ll be good! Women are awesome. Women think a lot.

And they remember so much too. They’re so detail-oriented.

I love women dude. I love women.

What do you love the most about them?

I think they’re art within themselves. You know, some are tough to deal with or whatever… But women are art. Like the way they’re structured, the stuff they go through.

Yes.

I was telling somebody the other day that with being pretty comes consequences. You get hit on all the time. They don’t want to get hit on all the time by every dude in the club. They just want to have a good time. Dudes can just go to the club, do what they wanna do and kick it. Girls have to worry about other stuff.

I sometimes feel like attractive women are trapped by their beauty.

Yeah, if they don’t know how to use it! Some girls are trapped by their beauty because they want to be. Some get accustomed to the compliments. But if one day, or two days go by and they don’t hear a compliment they start spazzin! “Did I get too many pimples? Did I gain some weight?” And then they become self conscious.

But women are awesome. Women are gorgeous, their spirits light up the whole room, and they’re powerful. There’s no way we could live without women. Men, yeah. Women could maybe live without men. But I don’t think men could live without women.