Widely considered to be Hollywood’s premier fashion stylist, Phillip Bloch has dressed the likes of Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Michael Jackson and John Travolta among many others. His photo credits have regularly graced the covers and inside layouts of publications such as In Style, ELLE, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Entertainment Weekly. He is currently a contributing correspondent for ABC World News Now and was recently voted one of People Magazines' "Fifty Hottest Bachelors." Phillip Bloch currently resides in New York City and Los Angeles.
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan charity of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition uses the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning public service and advocacy campaigns.
Interview Conducted Via Email By: Giacinta Pace
Q: What is your charity and how did you become involved?
Phillip: One of my favorite causes is The Creative Coalition. I actually got involved because while working in Hollywood, I had met a lot of different celebrities that are members. When you work in LA, you are surrounded by beauty and luxury. But, I’m creative, so I think about other things and I found like minds and I met celebrities along the way who introduced me to The Creative Coalition. Then Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition, asked me to come and host an event one night. And, Christopher Reeve, the co-founder of The Creative Coalition, was there. It was amazing to see someone so passionate and I thought about how show business careers can be used for something good.
I feel like a lot of what The Creative Coalition is about, is resolving problems before they are problems. Like the arts, education and funding for the arts in education. Investing in arts in education prevents kids from going down the wrong path and potentially turning into adults who are down the wrong path. When I was in school, I had a great teacher that my parents and I connected with. She created an arts curriculum for me, so I was interested when The Creative Coalition approached me about the education initiative. In fact, I recently worked on a program with The Creative Coalition that celebrated education. The Creative Coalition partnered with TinyPrints.com to host a program in conjunction with Tiny Print’s launch of graduation announcements. I was thrilled to provide a personal anecdote about a teacher who had a positive impact on my life.
The Creative Coalition is very “Hollywood” because they always are in front of the hot button topics facing the nation, but – at the same time – we have our core issues like school and the arts. I like that the core of The Creative Coalition is so fundamental that whenever the hot button subjects come up, like bullying and arts in education, The Creative Coalition is on top of them and fosters the powers of arts and entertainment to make an impact. The Creative Coalition is an organization that brings the most creative minds together to work collaboratively on ideas, and bring on change for the common good.
Q: What is the most moving moment you have had while working with this cause?
Phillip: I have had so many moving moments. Seeing Christopher Reeve was the first of many. Little did I know that I would be an active member of The Creative Coalition for almost a decade now. Being a boy from Long Island who struggled in school until a particular teacher turned my life around and now, as a member of The Creative Coalition, being able to speak with the Secretary of Education and have a voice that matters is incredible to me. Other moving moments include meeting with George Bush Senior and advocating before then Senator Hillary Clinton and other important policy leaders. Watching Chaka Khan perform while standing with Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson -- that is a moment! Being involved with policy makers and people who change the world are just a few of the great moments I’ve had with The Creative Coalition.
Q: What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for YOU?
Phillip: Giving me a chance. That is the nicest thing that people have done for me. Giving me an opportunity. Opening a door. I think giving someone a chance is the nicest thing you can do for a person.
