As Julien David applies the final flourishes to his autumn/winter 13 collection in Tokyo, we go i-N Conversation with the ANDAM prize winner.
Graduating from the Parsons School of Design in 2003, Julien David honed his skills with Narciso Rodriguez and Ralph Lauren before launching his eponymous brand in 2008. Born in the suburbs of Paris, the designer based himself in Japan and his adopted home has clearly influenced his French sensibilities. Seeking inspiration from sportswear and striving to elevate street wear with the use of luxury fabrics, his collections are a blend of quirky creativity with pared down serenity. Early collections gained plaudits but real validation came last year when David was awarded the ANDAM Grand Prix, following in the huge footsteps of Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Christophe Lemaire and Giles Deacon. His spring/summer 13 womenswear collection, shown during Paris Fashion Week a few months later was called ‘Les Enfants Gâtés’ (Spoiled Children). Long-fringed models walked the runway looking like rebellious teenagers struggling to find their own style. Thanks to David, they did. Currently in Tokyo, applying the finishing touches to his autumn/winter 13 collection, to be presented in Paris next week, we asked David a few questions about Japan and what’s coming up.
Where were you born? I was born in Boulogne Billancourt, next to Paris.
Where do you live now? What’s the view like? I live in Shibuya, Tokyo. The view is quite peaceful actually.
How is the collection coming together? We have our fabrics ready, they look the way I wanted. We are now rushing to make the samples, it’s a race like always…
I loved the long bomber jackets in your last women’s show, are you working with any staples for this season? Thank you. Yes, I will come up with a winter version of staples in that same vein.
Were you/are you inspired by the Yohji Yamamoto/Rei Kawakubo school of design thought? I have a lot respect for designers who have their own unique point of view. It’s definitively the case for Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo.
How did you feel when you won the ANDAM? Happy and very honoured to be chosen as this year’s laureate.
What do you miss about living in France? I am in Paris four times a year, I don’t really miss anything, I’m always there.
What’s your favourite season? No favourite.
Are you in love? Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. (I just found that on the Internet).
What’s next for the Julien David brand? Open a shop in Tokyo, this year I hope.
What are you up to this weekend? Work work work.
Text: Lea Taleb
Images courtesy of Julien David
