Photo”@maizhouyuan
In the interview of Rei Kawakubo conducted by Paul Smith in Dazed Magazine, he asked her who her favorite artist was and why. Her reply was, “No one in particular. I am usually more attracted to the way they lived their lives rather than their actual works.” From now on when someone asks me the question, and they always do, “Who is your favorite fashion designer?”, I have a new answer. I am attracted to their story, Somehow for me the story makes me relate to the garment in a much more personal way and gives me ideas about how the “designer” and I might have a particular kind of relationship when I wear their clothes.
The highlight of my trip to China by far were the dinners, teas, coffees and studio visits had with designers where we talked about their lives and for me most especially, the journey they took between idea and final garment. Who they are and how they live are always somehow embedded in the best designs because for me there is a small animated part of that designer finding its way into their clothes. The designer I am pictured with here, Angel Chen, was playful, full of movement herself, sharply intelligent, layered,. research oriented and full of delight about many things and people. She is a both/and kind of person and her clothes play on the line between east and west as does her fashion experience. She told me her father owns a paint company and is an expert at mixing colors. She explained a complex process of shrinking that resulted in a particular texture of a textile. I cannot help but be struck by how these characteristics find their way into the designs I viewed in her studio and how they make me feel when I wear her clothes. When I wore some pants of her design in a recent post the caption was, “Keeping new friends close”. Those parts of a new friend that are present in their clothes allow me to have an ongoing relationship with the person whether I see them again or not.
So I have a new answer to what by now seems to be a question in every interview I do, “Who is your favorite designer and why?” Thanks again Rei.
How would you answer the question, “Who is your favorite designer and why?”
I am the same way with writers and painters. I adore biography, auto when possible, and well researched and insightful when crafted by another. I came to writing through a love of the tools and the act itself, I think my favourite time is when immersed within a project, not the ending. In fashion too, I suppose, I look at a designer’s work and wonder what brought them to that point, what inspired and motivated the choice of each angle and shape.
I am the same way with writers and painters. I adore biography, auto when possible, and well researched and insightful when crafted by another. I came to writing through a love of the tools and the act itself, I think my favourite time is when immersed within a project, not the ending. In fashion too, I suppose, I look at a designer’s work and wonder what brought them to that point, what inspired and motivated the choice of each angle and shape.
This is very true! When my daughters asked me about my role models i tried to explane that for me it is not so interesting in which position people are now. it is more important how they live their lives.
Gisela from "Die Vorleser" http://www.dievorleser.blogspot.com
This is very true! When my daughters asked me about my role models i tried to explane that for me it is not so interesting in which position people are now. it is more important how they live their lives.
Gisela from "Die Vorleser" http://www.dievorleser.blogspot.com
This is lovely and ties in with a previous post about not having to be locked into a particular style, as our emotions are not static nor does our wardrobe need to be. This approach is a beautiful, sentient excursus, a conscientious dive below the surface. It is an attempt to examine and find anchors of purity, authenticy, and soulfulness in lifestyle, work ethic, and delivery. Thank you for putting into words many of our thoughts.
Aristotilean Style and a Big Dog
I have to agree there is no particular designer l like more than another it’s the way the garment makes me feel that works for me
I have to agree there is no particular designer l like more than another it’s the way the garment makes me feel that works for me
this is a nice and fresh way to think about fashion and style. Love it!
this is a nice and fresh way to think about fashion and style. Love it!
I long for a lovely and unique ‘uniform’ approach to dressing now, editing and refining down to well finished clothing, in a range of shapes and fewer colours. Easy dressing all year round – great shirts, that fit and flow with face-framing collars and textiles that have a lovely weight and depth of colour. Pants that are tailored to fit in various weights for seasonal wear here in Ontario, Canada. One great rain coat with zip in lining in an amazing colour, one great pair of walking boots, sandals, runners.
I don’t need more choices, I love fewer!!! A discipline approach to dressing with the chance to add the flare – a scarf, a necklace, earrings in colours to enhance the basics that will never need to be in style, on trend et al.
Laurel Armstrong
My approach exactly! Key timeless basics that can always be styled in an updated and modern way.
I long for a lovely and unique ‘uniform’ approach to dressing now, editing and refining down to well finished clothing, in a range of shapes and fewer colours. Easy dressing all year round – great shirts, that fit and flow with face-framing collars and textiles that have a lovely weight and depth of colour. Pants that are tailored to fit in various weights for seasonal wear here in Ontario, Canada. One great rain coat with zip in lining in an amazing colour, one great pair of walking boots, sandals, runners.
I don’t need more choices, I love fewer!!! A discipline approach to dressing with the chance to add the flare – a scarf, a necklace, earrings in colours to enhance the basics that will never need to be in style, on trend et al.
Laurel Armstrong
My approach exactly! Key timeless basics that can always be styled in an updated and modern way.