A few weekends ago I had the amazing pleasure of interviewing one of the Kings of the Awards-Show Dressing: Mr. David Meister. What a frickinnnn’ treat! David exudes all the things that make for a highly successful designer- he’s funny, focused and forward-thinking!

Over the past five years, Monsieur Meister has dressed Hollywood’s Hottest, including two of last year’s megaaaa breakout stars- Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer (Oscar winner, what?!) Since his Midwestern upbringing in Ohio to his first job out of school with fitness meets fashion brand Danskin, David has been on a mission to make fashion accessible to women for every step of their lives.

Well brace your Rear Ends for a side-splittingly stylish Q&A with this Red Carpet Master!

• HERE: Growing up in the Midwest, not exactly known as a style mecca, where did you find this love for fashion?

DM: I was always very opinionated and into color and creativity. I remember my favorite outfit in kindergarten consisted of purple bellbottoms, my red, white and blue belt, and this red and white flowered shirt. I was very specific about what I wanted to wear even as a child. Also, the Sonny and Cher show—I remember coming home and turning the television on and there was Cher. I mean she was phenomenal! And as a little kid, I never sat down and watched the credits but for some reason I did one day, and at the end I saw “Cher’s gowns: Bob Mackie.” Immediately I thought “Someone gets paid to do that? That’s what I want to do!”

• HERE: You have dressed so many amazing women, from Viola Davis to Octavia Spencer to Felicity Huffman to the Vice President’s wife Jill Biden! Who is now your dream “get”?

DM:I tend to always say Angelina—I think everybody wants to dress her! Gwenyth Paltrow—she has an interesting look and she tends to push it, and usually it works. Oh, and Jane Fonda—she is smoking hot! It’s not about age, she is a sexy hot woman! And Rihanna…smokingggg!

• HERE: Tell me about dressing Mrs. Biden!

DM: I was invited to a luncheon she had at the White House last year—that was pretty cool! It takes a lot to impress me and I was a little speechless at that one! She loves the clothes and has a great body.

• HERE: With that proximity to the White House, have you worked at all with Mrs. O?

DM: Well I’ve tried that, and it hasn’t happened yet. I would love to dress her. I think a simple sheath dress is her strongest look because she is so striking and beautiful and tall. I find on her the simpler the better—all she needs is a dress with those great arms!

• HERE: How did your early years at Danksin inspire your current collections?

DM: That’s really why ninety percent of my David Meister collection is knit jersey or has stretch. I think it’s important for clothes to have movement and comfort and it is just a more modern look that fits more body types. When you’re wearing fitted clothing with no stretch, it might look good but it doesn’t feel good.

• HERE: Such a fun, but cliché question—who are your style icons both male and female?

DM: OMG—style icons! Audrey Hepburn is cliché but she always looked stylish even up until her death. Cher is definitely one. She has immunity in my book! Lynn Wyatt is flawless—she’s always so chic and she pushes it still and she’s not thirty. For guys, definitely Johnny Depp, Cary Grant and Steven Tyler!

• HERE: What has been your favorite surprise DM on the Red Carpet?

DM: My favorite surprise was probably Tina Fey for Emmys 2009. The Emmys were on Sunday and she didn’t call in dresses until Saturday! That was really the first time she did a sexy look—and she looked amazing. That was cool because I totally didn’t expect that and we got coverage from Vogue!

Whether you’re hitting one of summer’s many weddings or just want a fun frock to rock with the girls, Mister Meister is your guy! Find him at Neimans, Bloomies and Nordstrom!

*images via david meister, fabsugar, mimi*

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