Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts

Saturday 26 September 2015

Hermès Men’s Wear Designer Véronique Nichanian's Paris Apartment


It’s luxury. It French. It’s Hermès.
We have not been hearing good thing about Hermes lately.
Model and singer Jane Birkin wants Birkin bag to be renamed after Peta investigation into French luxury goods manufacturer’s treatment of crocodiles and alligators. Hermès, however, has denied that the farm belongs to them, or that the skins from the farm are used to make their Birkin bags, asserting, "an investigation is underway at the Texas farm which was implicated in the video. Any breach of rules will be rectified and sanctioned."
These are the latest news about the most desired brand.
Many brands use the real leather to produce their goods. To me using real leather is same with wearing real fur but which one of us doesn’t commit this crime? (I am not promoting the brand here; just saying that real leather is real leather. Do not support or animal slaughtering.  We must find a way to do fashion without hurting animals.)

Anyway… Let’s be honest. Hermes is the first brand that comes to mind when we say luxury. NYTimes published an interview with Véronique Nichanian, 61 years old Artistic director of the Hermès Men’s Universe, about her Paris apartment.  (Interview by Steven Kurutz)



Your favourite living area?
A white-walled, high-ceilinged room with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

What do you love about this space?
The light is amazing because it’s from both sides. In 20 minutes my husband and I decided this was the place we wanted to live, and it was done. And I always dreamt of living in St.-Germain-des-Prés since I’m a child.




Why this neighborhood?
First of all, I’m born in Paris. I lived in many places in Paris because I moved many times. I used to come here and shop. I know perfectly all the tiny streets. It seemed to me the people were nicer, casual. There were many writers and people talking about art. For me, St.-Germain-des-Prés was the place to be.
Sometimes when we fulfill a long-sought dream, we’re disappointed. I’m not. I’m still very happy.

It’s said there is a Parisian way of dressing. Is there a Parisian way of living?
You should tell me. All my friends, I can’t say we have the same kind of apartment. It’s different because the personalities are different. People are more classic or more traditional. I’m not a traditional person, not at all.

Well, the flowers on your coffee table seem common to French interiors.
I brought these flowers from the country. It’s very important. It gives a softness. Even in my bedroom I have flowers. I like to wake up and see flowers.

I noticed your record collection. What are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to old Bob Dylan. I love his voice.



In both your men’s wear and your home, there is very little fussiness. 
It’s minimalist but with a touch of humor, I think, and emotional things. I have a large canopy armchair. I have a sofa for friends. I have a working fireplace. That’s fine with me. If I remember my first apartment when I left my parents, it was exactly the same. Smaller. Not in the same area. But exactly the same apartment. Really, I’m still the same. With my friends or the kinds of things I like. I did not change.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Exclusive Interview with Gemma Hyslop, Stylist of Urban Outfitters Europe



Here is another woman in menswear world! Gemma Hyslop, menswear & womenswear Stylist at Urban Outfitters Europe, tells us about SS14 menswear trends. This is a womanly chat about male trends including likes & dislikes! J

Can you tell us about yourself?
I am the European stylist for all online imagery for both menswear and womenswear. I basically put all the outfits together for the online product shoots and style all the menswear for our Lookbooks, press days and creative imagery!

What’s the ratio of men to women customers of Urban Outfitters?
We have a smaller menswear based customer compared to our womenswear customers but I would say they are a little older so come to our website or stores for something specific! They know the brands we stock, they know what they like and they come to us specifically for those brands or pieces!

On a scale of 1 to 10 how do you rate men paying attention to their daily styles compared to women?
7 years ago I would of said maybe a 5 but now I think Menswear is so much bigger and more exciting than it has ever been I would say a good 8 or 9. Men are much more aware these days, celebrities, singers and people in the public eye are a lot more style conscious pushing boundaries with fashion so this then filters down to the highstreet.


Do you think runways are reflected on the street?
Yes, more so than ever, people take direct influence from catwalk shows these days and make it work for their own personal style, whether it be head to toe or just certain aspects.

Do you think there is a definite kind of style for the future of men’s fashion?
I don’t think any fashion can be definite as it is ever changing. I do believe men’s fashion will become stronger each year though, there are so many new designers emerging in Menswear at the moment and it is exciting to find out who is going to grow within the industry and who is going to drop off the scene quickly!

"I love men who aren't scared to push the boundaries. I have a lot of respect for a guy who will wear a head to toe printed outfit, you need to be a confident person to carry off certain trends."



Could you also name one person in the public eye whose style you like the most?
I love ASAP Rocky and feel he has pathed the way for making fashion more accessible to the average guy, he has helped to link up fashion and music more in the public eye. I also think Pharrell Willams and Kanye (even though he is a bit of a douch bag) have also done this!

What would be your one piece of advice for men in terms of style and fashion?
Always wear good trainers!


Monday 9 September 2013

Diego Vanassibara, A Brand and A Designer You Should Know About (Interview)


Before London Fashion Week starts let’s have a flashback of London Collections: Men on Jan 2013. It was a brilliant time for anyone interested in men’s fashion.

Diego Vanassibara
DiegoVanassibara, shoe designer, has launched his collection at London Collections: Men 2013. The shoes that I love even as a woman. (I have written this many times before; when it comes to shoes & women it's not just an obsession for women shoes) 
He says that he has received fantastically positive response from the visitors - as I could easily guess. One of his most famous statement is: "I design shoes for men to admire, wear and be admired.  After all, they have the right to dream too."

I asked for an interview with him and my first question was if he is going to attend the coming up LFW or not. Apparently he won’t.
But this is not an excuse for us not to have a look at his designs.

Vanassibara grew up in South Brazil, moved to the UK at the age of 22. He has a degree and a diploma from Cordwainers in footwear design and product development.
He is known as a designer who uses new concepts, materials, crafts and construction to produce a beautiful collection of shoes.

For those of you interested in smart but stylish shoes that will last you a long time, then Diego Vanassibara is a brand and designer you should know about.  In my opinion Diego’s designs offer a perfect balance between a classic shoe and fashion forward design. Retailing between £500-£900 they can be called as an investment for style! :)

Trace Publicity Press Day
Photographed by Belinda Bean
When I asked him about the men fashion on AW13/14 he said that he doesn’t approach seasons as a "one off statement". He doesn’t want to create shoes that are highly recognisable by being from a determined season because they get dated very easily. “What I have introduced in the season, and that is something that will continue being part of the brand in terms of concept, is a modern approach to craftsmanship combined with a quite technical, engineered design” says Vanassibara.

Key SS14 trends: "Raw edges, matt/supple finishes and leathers, use of modern canvas as details, monochrome, light soles with a robust look."


The design has double leather sole with an understated platform, also in leather, which adds height with balance and proportion.


His ideal client is an informed and urban man with a contemporary and individual attitude to dressing. He values honest products and excellent craftsmanship. He has a keen eye for aesthetics and is discerning enough to follow his own style and taste, but he is open to being a little bit adventurous, in particular with shoes and accessories. He enjoys being noticed, but is not an attention seeker.

“If the act of just imagining an accessory or a garment count, then I had a whole wardrobe designed in my head at the age of 8. In fact, a Brazilian journalist once even wrote a story about my "imaginary wardrobe.”  





For more Diego Vanassibara shoes visit: www.diegovanassibara.com