A Feel for Fashion: Robert Rabensteiner

You cannot think about menswear if you don't think about Robert Rabensteiner. He's the only person that can wear a rough canvas workwear jacket in a black tie event, turning out to be the best dressed of the evening. Eager for fashion, beauty and elegance he was the fashion beacon at L'Uomo Vogue for decades being also a consultant and success mastermind for brands such as Moncler and Trussardi throughout the years. His look with beard, wide hats, own designed and tailored jackets became iconic. 

What creates an emotional response for you in fashion today? 

It is my life's passion, so nothing has changed from the past nor for the future. Fashion is dynamic by nature so we must expect its evolution and never complain about innovation. If fashion doesn't evolve it will disappear.

What are you most curious to know about how designers work, how a collection comes together?

I'm excited by the whole creative process, I cannot exclude any step. From the initial approach in creating the own identity to the collections, from the show concept to the advertising language. It's a complete circle that defines a brand and a style.  

In what ways are you seeing progress in fashion mirroring progress in the wider world? 

It might sound strange but to me quality is the only way to speak to the widest audience. The language of beautifully and carefully executed items has no boundaries

If you could change one aspect of how we experience fashion today, what would it be?

I would go back to pure creativity trusting real creators and designers. Today's hysteria in chasing commercial successes sometimes kills vision, imagination and designer's pathos.

What stands out as the most potentially disruptive influence on fashion in the near future?

We live in a society that it's hyper saturated with images and videos, so we cannot escape from visual communication.