Interviews

For Bronx-based , Kevin Amato , photography documents his life. His fascination with people and their lifestyles. I adore the stark realness of his photographs, it evokes that L.I.E and BULLY aesthetic. Amato explains his style as 'how youth culture and street fashion inspire both mainstream culture and high fashion.' His work has been featured in Dazed & Confused, Flaunt, Trace & Interview Magazine.

Robert Geller's immaculate taste makes for one of our favorite New York designers. His Cossack Trousers in black from Fall 2008, started a love affair , that burns bright. Geller has an innate ability to mix darkness and Parisian elegance, avoiding the clichés that can define those worlds.

We caught up with Hamburg-born designer ROBERT GELLER for his thoughts on being a designer today and the
Robert Geller brand.

Danish native Hans Christian Madsen graduated with an MA in Knitwear from the Royal College of Art in 2007, recognized for his well-crafted, conceptual and approachable pieces. Madsen's design process connects and explores the past and the present Nordic design and craftsmanship heritage while fusing functional and comfortable fashion with personal expression. The contrast between highly protective and sporty outerwear pieces in nylon and other stiff fabrics, and baggy hand-knits and nonchalant, worn shirts matched with comfortable pants, all evoke a casual image of a traditional Scandinavian style. We caught up with Hans Christian Madsen to chat about his brilliant Spring 2009 Collection and life since graduation.

How is a normal day like in the life of Danish sensation Henrik Vibskov?

Right now its Saturday…I’m sitting in a tour bus on the way to Pukkel Pop music festival in Belgium; tomorrow lowlands festival in Holland and then we hit Denmark on Monday morning and I will go to the
design studio since I’ve just done the ss08 collection which started with the Paris show so have get ready for a new collection . I’m going on a worldwide tour with Trentemøller this autumn going to the US, Australia, and Europe, so I’m pretty busy.

How do you feel about the press calling you the new Danish sensation or being the center of attention at the Copenhagen fashion week?

First of all, I wouldn’t call me new any more but yeah fine with me anyway…
Copenhagen fashion week is clean and structured so I like the fact that I can "pump up
the jam" a little

Have you ever felt awkwardly special when you presented your spring line for
the second time and still got as many ovations as the first time?

hmmmm do sure I understand i think was my 12th-13th collection
……hmmmm?????????

[I was referring to his spring 08 line, but unfortunately he didn’t get it]

Which are the basic concepts behind the ''fantabulous fantasy bicycle music factory''? How did you come up with the ideas for the show? Are you really ''that'' related to music?

The installation is a mix of 2 thoughts , bicycles generating music and a frame structure with the colors light pink and a ultra marine blue, then mixed together. I would say more just watch pictures and sound on my website…

Does your current aesthetic reflect your current personal taste or look?

Yes…you haven’t seen a picture of me ahhhh...hihi

Which individuals, movements or others influenced you during the
> process of designing the spring line? Video games?

mmmmnn videogames…is more a blowup digitalized artwork with influences from South America, a bit of s Scottish man look, many colors which i like and big raincoats and a lot more…

Do you think that at one point your pixilated t-shirts will become a ''huge'' hot selling item?

Maybe…that would be could nice ahh

Do you think that some other Danish designers envy your success?

They better do .,,. we have to move forward

How do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you think that you will be designing more lines or a separate Label by that time?

I’m fine like it is right now…but maybe some more Henrik Vibskov stores around the world

Can you predict how the predominant fashion aesthetic will be in 5
years?

Green life

Have you already started working on your fall line? If so, which are going to be the main pieces, styles or colors?

Not yet…sorry

Are you happy with how things are working for you right now?

Yes, I’m a little too busy though with the music tour and so.

Photo source and rights: Nina Strand.

How is a normal day of yours like?

Depends on...mostly I am going to school. I am studying chemistry at the royal institute of technology in Stockholm.

So you are a model and you study chemistry, absolutely impressive.

A lot of homework to do after school too :(

I know how that feels…believe me haha How does it feel to be a model nowadays? Do you truly enjoy it?

Feels kind of nice, can't say that it is a big deal when you only are working in Stockholm. yes i enjoy it, I really love fashion and to be a tiny part of the whole fashion scene/business feels good - especially when you are working with interesting designers that make beautiful clothes. Sometimes it really inspires me and my personal style too.

How would you describe your style?

Dark is the first thing that strikes my head, and others as well. I like pieces that somehow conceal you. and pieces that change their appearance when you are in motion. I am not big fan of colors, I think clothes should be able to deliver that special feeling without them.

So would definitively go for an obscure palette, splendid. Have you ever worked with other designers other than Richard?

Yes, I did the look books for Behan Aram and the look book for “So Last Season”, both Swedish designers, and a couple of runway shows during the Stockholm fashion week.

Yes, I know about them; and how do you felt the first time you did a look book?

hmm, kind of nervous I guess. I really didn't know how to do the posing without looking like an idiot and so on. But the designers and photographers were very helpful and friendly.

Do you still feel like a newcomer?

I guess… you learn more and more for each photo shoot and you got to have faith in yourself. When it comes to runway shows, no. I feel like I can do them now without getting nervous etc

So leaving the "nerves" beside, what would you say you prefer doing? Runway or look books?

Actually, it depends on the clothes. If I like the clothes, I would say look books because it will inspire me more by wearing the clothes more and really trying to get comfy in them. But still runway shows are really fun too, so I think its pretty hard to choose.

I see; do you usually get some of the garments you modeled? Or is it just silly to believe that models get to have what they modeled?

Yes, sometimes, when I really like them, like the latest photo shoot with Obscur. It has Joakim written all over it when it comes the styling.

hahaha you were perfect in that shooting. The photographs are splendid I must say. Would you consider working in fashion full-time?

Well, thank you…yeah I could definitely see myself working in fashion for full-time. but I doubt I have the talent that it takes. To take a year of school and just work with fashion would be like a dream come true, but there are so many others out there that are talented so it will never happen I think

I believe that you have the skills, it will be just a matter of time and signing with a good agency that can get you out of Sweden; don't you agree?

Maybe...the future will tell I guess, but I will do my best and work hard. Lets see how long that takes me.

Have you ever felt different or been treated special for modeling?

No, not really, apart from being invited to some parties every now and then. sure there are some benefits, but being a part-time model in Stockholm doesn't give that much difference in life. but yeah you get in contact with a lot of the people in the business, and for some that is a good experience.

Yeah, specially when you are young ha-ha. How do you see yourself in lets say five years?

Really hard to tell. I never think that long ahead. I mostly take the days as they come. Who knows what I will be doing? All I hope for is that I am happy with my life.

I agree. Live life to the fullest. Is there any local or international designer that you would deeply like to work with?

Yes, there is one designer that I absolutely love is Rick Owens. His pieces are just amazing. I would really love to work with him… Takahiro Miyahsita from Number (n)ine) is another designer I adore. And I am also hoping for a long lasting relationship working with Richard who does Obscur

So you are as well attracted by the work of Ann D, aren't you?

Yes, I really am. This fall/winter collection for women is close to perfection I think. Loved the layering, the long coats and all the fur.

Ever wanted to leave it all and start your own line? Because you seem to know about fashion.

Well yes, sometimes. But I doubt that I have that special spirit, to do such a thing you really have to be pushy and driven. I don't see myself to be creative enough, and I have way too low self-discipline haha…but maybe in the future.

haha well you said it...you can leave it as future plan

Yeah, you are never too old to pursuit a dream.

Your are right. If you were told that from now on you will only be allowed to receive the clothes from one designer, who would that be?

Rick Owens, no doubt in my mind.

You are huge fan of the leather jackets, aren't you?

Yes, they are amazing. If I only had the money....the way they have been treated and washed just blows me away.

I recently read that you were going to get one of Richard's new jackets on Friday…is that right? are you happy?

Yeah, that’s right. I am really looking forward to that. The fit of his jacket was great, I am a 100 % sure I will look great in it haha

hahaha show off....