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Jan-Jan Van Essche & Pietro Celestina
Jan-Jan Van Essche, who is Antwerp-based and launched his eponymous brand in 2010, is clearly an example of someone who has invested his clothing with intimate and personal meanings, reflected in his ongoing collaboration with his partner Pietro Celestina. In fact, the word ‘collaboration’ does not do justice to the fact that both men pretty much spend their whole time together, even though Pietro has Atelier Solarshop to focus on, a beautifully curated retail space he launched with Jan-Jan in Antwerp in 2008. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Giuliva Heritage – We Two Are One
If creative partnerships are always intriguing, couples who live and work together tend to fascinate us more. The ultimate fusion of private and professional, those duos are indeed special and rare, especially when they last in a transient industry like fashion. For Margherita Cardelli and her husband Gerardo Cavaliere, there are in fact no separations in life, and Giuliva Heritage is their own fashion creation. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Lust For Life. Interview with Michel Gaubert
Michel Gaubert’s job is to create unique soundtracks for fashion shows or films, and some of them are quite memorable. Think of early 1990s Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, or more recent offerings for Loewe by Jonathan Anderson and Moschino by Jeremy Scott. Whether it be catchy, ironic, fun – or more on the conceptual side – Gaubert can craft any type of sound that will enhance, reflect and complement a designer’s vision. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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A Matter Of Taste. Interview with Lou De Bètoly
Berlin-based French designer Lou de Bètoly belongs to an exciting wave of talents questioning the status quo, as well as looking for new ways to create collections beyond the usual calendars, while making them playful, unique, sustainable and smart at once. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi
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Heart And Soul. Interview by Asim Khan
Fashion has the power – and the ability – to transport us into a world of emotion, grace and refinement. It can transcend the everyday and inspire us completely. Asim Khan, who is launching his eponymous brand this year, is a real fashion designer, in the sense that he uses clothes to deliver messages and raise key questions that are close to his heart. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Fashion Story: You Said Something
Photography by Aldona Karczmarczyk and fashion by Maciej Spadło.
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The Virtues Of Discretion. Interview with Alexandre Mattiussi
Unlike other fashion brands, Alexandre Mattiussi’s business has thrived during the pandemic, making him even more intriguing. In conversation, he’s animated and curious, as well as self-critical. No matter how much AMI has developed, the French designer doesn’t rest on his laurels and keeps working with the same passion and care. In this exclusive interview, Mattiussi recalls his humble beginnings, why he enjoys being back at work with his team, and how age is really just a number. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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True Fantasy. Interview with Meryll Rogge
Womenswear designer Meryll Rogge, who honed her skills at Marc Jacobs in New York and Dries Van Noten in Antwerp, is a great illustration of how a young fashion brand can capture the attention of prestigious retailers within a couple of seasons, including the likes of NET-A-PORTER, SSENSE, Nordstrom, Maxfield, and many others. That is quite an achievement, considering the kind of context our world has lived in for the past year and a half. Interview with Meryll Rogge by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Valette Studio. Interview with Pierre-François Valette
Pierre-François Valette certainly had no idea he would be faced with a global pandemic when VALETTE STUDIO was born last year, a beautiful menswear brand updating key concepts of tailoring, savoir-faire and craftsmanship. Still, that did not prevent the French designer from pursuing his dreams and we should be thankful that young creatives like him are willing to take such risks. Turns out that fresh independent brands are appreciated by a select clientele, favoring quality and care over hype and logos. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Get the Balance Right. Interview with Thomas Monet
Thomas Monet, who launched COOL T.M two years ago, is a designer who undeniably loves fashion and clothes, but he’s also critical of certain parts of the industry that make it tough for new names to develop. His own career path is an impressive one and he has honed his skills at Balmain and Faith Connexion, working with style maverick Christophe Decarnin. We sat down with the Paris-based designer to discuss what makes a young brand relevant, how to navigate the current fashion landscape, and why he has no control when it comes to vintage shopping. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi
