Tomorrow night, there will be a full eclipse of chic drudgery, post-gender silhouettes, and the full spectrum of black as New York City’s most perfectly tattered gather to celebrate clothing label Obesity and Speed at OAK, that downtown emporium for the city’s most internally tortured minimalist romantics. To celebrate, we asked VMAN’s very own Entertainment Editor, the heartbreaking, scene-quaking, It-girl production factory known as Greg Krelenstein (pictured above in an O&S limited edition tee) to have a chat with Obesity co-founder Lyz Olko [full disclosure: she's also his roommate] about music, mixtapes, and the madness that inspires the line. If you’re into free Kanon vodka and neo-punk asymmetry, head over to 28 Bond St. from 7-9pm.

Greg: Hi Lyz. First, I want to set the scene for the readers. We’re in our apartment, after 1AM, listening to music. The Bangles comes on, I ask if we can download some more of their greatest hits, and you agree that it sounds like a great idea. Let’s get into it…Truth or Dare?

Lyz: Hmmmm. Truth? (Only because this is an interview, and it makes sense for a question.) P.S. Now playing: Bob Dylan “Lay Lady Lay.” I have some great Bangles b-sides, P.P.S. Oh snap—into “TANGLED UP IN BLUE!”

Greg: Now that we’ve lived together for almost 2 months, I can safely say you’re the hardest working woman in downtown show business. How do you do it?

Lyz: I know what I want to ultimately achieve, and I also know: no one is going to do it for you but you. (like yourself, obvs). Also, you always have to work harder. Always. Also, you and i both live by the motto: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” I’m so lucky you and I have the same schedule, we have a lot of great quality time. It’s inspiring.

Greg: #Fact. You mention inspiration, which walks me into my next question: what inspired the latest collection that we’re celebrating this Thursday at the OAK store on Bond Street?

Lyz: My partner Josh and I have always loved the ’80s Bat Cave goth scene and the leather and bondage looks. The Spring/Summer 2011 collection was born from that. As the collection came from nightlife, we thought it could be fun to have a party for it that will involve bondage, lots of black clothes, good music, Kanon vodka (product placement) and all our friends.

Greg: Bondage, leather, and black…that seems like you’re preaching right to your choir of devoted fans. Did you have a certain girl or boy in mind that you couldn’t wait to see in the clothes?

Lyz: Josh and I are insanely lucky that we have some of the most stylish people as our close friends and it’s really amazing, satisfying, and exciting to have them in our clothes, they have become like an O and S gang of sorts.

Greg: Music update: Bruce Springsteen “Badlands.” I’ve seen some of the most amazing pictures of you dating back to the Antique Boutique days. How has your personal style changed?

Lyz: Well, my personal style definitely has changed, but is still firmly rooted in the darker side of things. I was really super crusty punk back in the day, my style has evolved and matured, as have our collection(s) over the years. No more butt flaps (aus rotten)…Hold on, now I have to download Skid Row!

Greg: Sebastian Bach! OMG! Well we’re both from NJ and I don’t think you can get out of there alive without some Skid Row in your music collection. I often have to pinch myself because I’ve been able to realize so many of my dreams. What does success mean to you?

Lyz: Ozzy Osbourne, “Mr Crowley” is now playing. I’m still not sure. I feel successful that I still do what I love with one of my best friends and we’ve watched it grow and change in a million ways. Success is not measured by dollar amounts for me, but by how I feel. I am beyond lucky that I am always thinking about what to make next, or looking for new things to be inspired by, or have an excuse to buy a new book. I can’t tell if success is supposed to pay your rent or not, or just give you a really good feeling.

Greg: Well, even Lady Gaga, in the leaked clip from her upcoming HBO special, says she still feels like a loser, so I guess we all have our insecurities. Do you remember the first time you saw someone wear one of your designs on the street?

Lyz: I dont remember the first time, but it will never not be exciting for me. I don’t want it to ever not feel good to see it.

Greg: So I want to leave this with a personal question. I think the most romantic thing anyone can do is give someone a mixtape. We’ve talked a lot of music in this thread, have you ever received a mixtape from someone?

Lyz: Yes! There are two that will stay with me forever.

Greg: If you had to make an Obesity and Speed mix, what 5 songs would appear on it?

Lyz: I always think of this. When Josh and I first met, we made each other mix tapes.

Top five songs:
Bikini Kill – “Feels Blind”
Guns ‘n’ Roses – “Patience”
Swans – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
Bob Dylan – “Tangled Up In Blue”
Marianne Faithfull – “As Tears Go By”
Black Flag – “I Don’t Care”
Five is hard!

KEYWORDS: Greg Krelenstein, Lyz Olko, OAK, Obesity and Speed