Q&A | Hannah Harte

Photo of Hannah Harte by Alex Hoerner, Kobe Bryant cover image from the May 2, 2010 issue of The Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Hannah is one of my best friends from high school's best friend from college, don't you love when that happens? She took over as the photo editor at The LA Times Magazine a few years ago and her first big cover was the above shot of Kobe Bryant. I remember when that came out, which I can't say for most magazine covers. She's super talented, hilarious, laid-back, smart, and just insanely cool.

If not in Los Angeles, I would live in...Rome. I studied there in college and fell in love how well the first class art, architecture and food melds with the chaos and grit of the streets. And Romans are so leisurely! There's always time to sip a cappuccino, not matter how late you are.

My dream holiday would be to...Brazil. It’s such a sensual, beautiful country. The music is infectious, the people are gorgeous and the wildlife is awesome.

My current obsessions are...food. All food. Especially wine and cheese. But recently I have started to truly understand and feel the virtues of eating "clean". I’ve become a little obsessed with finding the best ways to work whole, organic foods into my regular diet without driving myself crazy. It's not easy, but I'm trying. Also, listening to classic soul artists like Shuggie Otis, Darondo, Hall & Oates, some old Tribe Called Quest, the Brazilian singer Marisa Monte, and I love Miike Snow, and of course, Erik Janson (Hannah's boyfriend); wearing color, I’m so happy bold colors are back. When I was little, my mom used to dress me in Oilily, a Dutch company that paired together elaborate, bright patterns. At a young age it taught me to have fun experimenting with clothes and not shy away from funky combinations; shopping at my mom’s shop in Mexico, Sollano 16, a beautiful home/lifestyle store tucked away in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. I’m always asking for a piece of jewelry by Vaubel or Aurora Lopez. And now I’m currently saving up to buy one of Joesph Scheer’s huge moth photographs.

I channel my childhood self when I...am completely at ease with my parents and younger brother. I'm truly myself with them. Even if it's a ridiculous self.

The fictional character I most relate to is... Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Is that cliché?

If I had to be outdoors all day I would...be happy. As I kid I went to a camp on a farm in Northern California. Later I worked there for a summer, leading hikes, milking cows, taking care of the kids. You just feel better on the inside when you're always outside.

My favorite quality in a man is...confidence, a sense of humor, intelligence, empathy, humility, kindness, I could keep going.

My favorite quality in a woman is...a quick wit and the ability to laugh at herself.

I'm terrified of...getting older and regretting the choices I’ve made.

My dream car is a...functional subway throughout all of Los Angeles.

My cocktail of choice is... the "Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic" from Rivera in downtown LA. Rye whiskey, lemon, basil, chili peppers and bell peppers, and a little agave syrup all muddled up together. Seriously delicious!

My celebrity crush is...Johnny Depp in Cry Baby (he was my first official crush). Now, definitely the Obamas, Barack and Michelle.

My friends and I like to...cook, drink outside, and laugh.

If I could go back in time for one decade it would be... the 1960s in the US. The social movements, the music, the art; it's hard to pick another era.

As a teenager I was totally into...nerding out at school, playing soccer and listening to Fiona Apple.

I tend to splurge on...nice dinners with friends and every once in a while, a little something from Balenciaga.

The fact that I think my white Jack Purcell's go with everything ...is what makes me have Tomboy Style.