KALTBLUT-HONK! 03 The Divas

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Half and half, some cities have more interesting street
looks than others. I’m dreaming of creativity coming
back to the ateliers but not so sure that is the direction
we are in or are heading towards. One can dream.
Which designer from the past (who has past away) do
you want to meet and what would you want to talk
about with him?
I would have loved to have known Madame Gres. The
exhibition currently in Paris is a dream.
Is there a comparably creative and talented designer as
Alexander McQueen nowadays?
Different style but Rick Owens, Haider Ackermann,
Boudicca, Raf Simons….
What makes a good collection?
The three designers that I mentioned above make a
good collection because they use their own signature
and it really does not emulate anyone else.
Who is the most influential person or brand in fashion
right now and why?
I think Rick Owens because he has the perfect balance
between being edgy and being commercial. He’s probably
the most copied designer of our decade.
Who would you crown as an ultimate fashion diva?
It is a tie between Anna Piaggi and in the grave, Isabella
Blow. They both love/loved fashion and are/were
a pleasure to look at.
What annoys you about the fashion industry?
Arrogant and pretentious people who are basically
about nothing beyond their own skin.
Fashion and art quite often go hand by hand. What do
you think about collaborations like the one Lady Gaga is
running with Thierry Mügler?
I think Nicola Formichetti is genius and has his
finger on the pulse. He knew exactly what he was
doing putting Lady Gaga on the runway. He told me
Mugler was not prepared for the collection to sell
as wildly well as it did. We are living in a celebrity
decade…that is what sells clothes for better or worse.
On the other hand, what do you think of high-end labels
like Victor&Rolf collaborating with labels like H&M?
I think it is great, it makes fashion available to the
masses. I thought that the H & M Lanvin collaboration
was excellent, especially the film by Mike
Figgis. Now everyone can own Comme des Garcons,
Lanvin, Sonia, Matthew who ever, why not? I
think it is a win win situation. Nobody expects those
clothes to last forever.
There are many fashion documentaries - on Anna Wintour,
on Karl Lagerfeld, etc. Do you think they present the
real face of fashion and the people they are focusing on?
My favorite fashion documentary is an old one from
the 80’s Unzipped, genius and real. I also liked the
Last Emperor Valentino and I did like The September
issue, Grace was the star and yes, I think some people
looked good and others not but it rang pretty true.
Who gave you the most valuable fashion advice that
you’re still following? Can you share it with us?
I’ve thought about that and I feel bad not coming up
with a genius answer. Honestly I don’t remember anyone
giving me fashion advice that I took and thought
was something to live by. I can give some, dress to
please yourself, you are never going to please everybody
anyway and do you really care?