Q&A: JAY ARCOS

We catch up with Jay Arcos. Jay works with MODATECH, his New York-based fashion event production company. As some of his regular clients include Custo Barcelona and John Varvatos, he shares his time between New York City and Barcelona. Here Jay shares his thoughts on living and working in New York City and gives a few tips for the visitor.

Jay, you’ve produced shows for Chanel, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and John Varvatos. Would you say you have a certain style or aesthetic that keeps these designers happy?

I think primarily is about how you present yourself and how the interaction with these designers is. Everyone is different but for the most part you deal with high profile individuals that have a very clear idea of what they want so really what I need to do is stay on track and deliver the best options I can. Obviously it doesn’t hurt to be ravishingly good-looking and always dressed to kill!!!

Given that you are in charge of all the artistic elements of a fashion show, where do you get your ideas and inspiration?

When it comes to designing a fashion show the ideas normally come from the clothes inspiration. I like to talk to the designer and find out what the background of that particular collection is and I try to come up with the best context to put these clothes in. Architecture and art are big inspirations for me when it comes to finding a good setting and designing a fashion show staging.

Why are the gays so creative?

That extra gene? I don’t know, why are the lesbians so good at tennis and golf?

Everyone that works in fashion is gay, right?

Actually that’s a misconception, only 99% are gay.

You’re from a small town in the south of Spain called Huelva. What is the fashion like there?

Have you ever been to a Wal-Mart in the middle of nowhere? That’s what the fashion is like there. I actually lived in my hometown for the first 18 years of my life and then moved on to more interesting places with a little better fashion...

What prompted you to pack your bags and head to New York?

Well this one is easy, the men what else! No seriously, I was always fascinated with what I had seen in movies about the city so when I turned 19 I decided to come here for the first time and felt in love with everything, the culture, the fast pace, the buildings, and the men of course.

You were originally planning to be a doctor. Are there any similarities in the world of medicine and the world of fashion?

Yes the gowns, you know that. There is nothing in common for sure, I was into science and biology and all that stuff and since I’m also a little practical, I decided being a doctor was probably where you could make the most money. The funny thing is that most people that went to med school with me didn’t find jobs as doctors so they are all over the place and struggling to make a living. I guess I dodged that bullet.

You’ve worked all over the world. What has been the best place to work?

I feel great in Barcelona for sure, probably one of the best workplaces/playgrounds for me of all times. I feel inspired by the city and its architecture, the ocean, the openness of the people, the mix of cultures. I also get great recognition of my work so all these elements paired up with great lighting, staging and creative professionals make it an ideal place to work. New York is great to learn because it's so fast and competitive, London is a very creative place, Milan knows the business. I stay with Barcelona.

What would you say is the most overrated aspect of New York City? Underrated?

Overrated: the Empire State Building Observatory, skip it quick! Go up a few blocks to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller center and see the Empire from up close and unparallel views of Central Park.

The ONE thing a visitor must do?

A must do in the summer is to go to PS1 for the Warm Up sessions and right after that head down to Water Taxi beach and finish dancing your ass off. If you come any other time of the year really, go shopping and drinking, there’s plenty of that available everywhere. Oh and visit Top of the Rock...

Is there such thing as a “New York City boy”? How would you describe him?

There isn’t.

Ok if that was too bitchy I’ll explain. There are definitions of different types depending upon where you live or hang out. There is the “Chelsea boy” that won’t miss the gym and drinks at “g lounge” and has a share (or quarter of a share) in Fire Island; then there’s the “East Village Boy” that turns to be artsy, fartsy and perfectly unkempt; there’s also the “Theater Boy or Theater Queens” they live in Hells Kitchen and know every tune that Liza Minelli ever sang. You find the different neighborhood and chances are you will find a different type there.

What three things are always in your carry-on when you travel?

Well now that you can’t bring liquids into the plane all the fun stuff goes under…I guess I bring the normal things, my Mac Airbook, iPod and a book (for fast sleep results bring Danielle Steele)

Learn more about Jay and his work on MODATECH's website.