Where do you look for new ideas or voices in fashion?
As an artist, I keep my eyes open and look everywhere all the time. I live in the northern part of Brooklyn, so I'm usually in Bushwick/Williamsburg/Greenpoint. Between those three neighbourhoods, there are a lot of ideas in the streets.
In which ways might fashion creativity effectively drive greater growth throughout the industry?
I think in all ways! Without creativity there are no ideas, no innovation, no risk-taking. There's really no reason to make another object unless there is a creative idea behind it that needs to be thought through.
How essential is heritage and/or a distinctive identity in contributing to a brand’s success?
I really believe that fashion and design are reflections of the world we live in, and heritage is a tricky word. I think it can really drag a designer down. Sometimes, I read the comments after a Balenciaga show and people say things like, "Oh Cristobal would roll in his grave," and “Where is the elegance of bygone days?” The world we live in now is so deeply different than it was even ten years ago. So I think Demna's mud-filled runways and gas masks make total sense, heritage be damned.
What surprises you about the industry in 2025?
Ah, that it still exists! It's a testament to humanity that people will always want something new, and will express themselves through what they wear. It's part of the human condition. It is also surprising and encouraging that there are always young people who are so passionate about design. Their fearlessness and spirit help make the idea of the future hopeful.
What defines men’s elegance in a contemporary context?
I don't think elegance has anything to do with an object or a purchase. It's the way a person moves, the kindness they radiate. In a world of consumption, true elegance is a vibe. I see young kids on the train move with more elegance than the people who are supposed to be 'on top of the world.'
Do trends still matter?
When I was a kid there were real trends: if it was a wide tie, everyone had a wide tie. If it was sideburns, everyone had sideburns… that all changed with the 'Me Decade.' In the ’70s, people wanted to break away and do their own thing. A lot of factors coincided with that: the shift in authority of magazines, the demise of departments who would dictate the look of the season. And of course, the internet and the way people can literally create their own universes. So do trends still matter? Not when people feel they are being told to do something. But if they feel they discovered it, perhaps yes.
This interview has been lightly edited.
