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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
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The New Print Issue of Contributor Magazine is Out Now
Contributor Read. In this issue, Philippe Pourhashemi meets Alexandre Mattiussi, who founded AMI Paris in 2011, and talks to rising stars Meryll Rogge, Thomas Monet and Pierre-François Valette. Journalist Lucas Dias interviews Arturo Obegero and Alphonse Maitrepierre. Two designers who have flourished to warm critical acclaim during the pandemic, defying the odds. In Behind Our Screens, Marco Pecorari interviews Fabio Donghi, who started INDIGITAL in 1997, one of the major online platforms and digital content production providers for fashion.
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My Years with Azzedine. Interview with Annflor Sangan
What does it take for a designer to become a legend? A distinctive personal style, incredible talent and a strong visionary streak may help, but there’s something about certain names that escapes logic or rationality. In his lifetime and stellar career, Paris-based Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaïa became the equivalent of a fashion god. Annflor Sangan, who works as a fashion consultant in Paris and launched her creative studio six years ago, was Alaïa’s first assistant for several years. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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XULY.Bët. Interview with Lamine Kouyaté
Although African designer Lamine Kouyaté is currently being discovered by a new generation of fashion-conscious boys and girls, the talented founder of XULY.Bët has, in fact, been showing his work since the early 1990s, a decade that retains special appeal for fashion connoisseurs. Kouyaté returned to the Paris calendar last year – right before the pandemic started disrupting our world – and I was lucky enough to attend his comeback show, featuring the likes of Michelle Elie, Rossy de Palma and many other friends and models that he has cherished for years. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Illuminations. Interview with Tom Van Der Borght
Tom Van Der Borght works in relative isolation, spending weeks putting together the most impressive and exquisitely handmade items, which feel closer to the realm of performance art and haute couture than mere commercial fashion. Escaping categories is something Van Der Borght does better than most, and his efforts finally paid off during the 35th edition of the Hyères Festival last year when he won the much-coveted Grand Jury and Public Prizes. His beautiful and poignant show there managed to move a masked and distanced audience, delivering a message of hope and pure poetry in a pandemic-ridden world. Turns out the designer’s positive outlook is as engaging as his clothes are, and we got the chance to catch up with the talented Belgian to discuss his vision of fashion, working with Spanish artist Blanca Li, and why he loved being the opening act of Berlin Fashion Week. Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi.
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Local Hero. Interview with Boramy Viguier
Boramy Viguier is the founder and creative director of his eponymous brand, which he launched in 2017. Having previously worked alongside Lucas Ossendrijver at Lanvin helped him hone his craft and focus on all the little details that can make menswear inspiring, creative and practical at the same time. Viguier’s clothes are rooted in reality, but his fashion shows give you food for thought, with their esoteric and often mysterious messages. By Philippe Pourhashemi. Photography by Rafael Dubus
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Contradictory Layers. Interview with Dries van Noten
From our 10 year anniversary issue. “I think my work is a strange mixture of reality and dreams. I love to make pieces that are genuine and can be worn in many different ways,” says Dries Van Noten in an exclusive interview by Philippe Pourhashemi. Standing for elegance, charm and singularity, the collections of the celebrated Antwerp-based designer are soulful, moving and personal. Photography by Laetitia Hotte and fashion by Shino Itoi.
