For my last interview of the year, I am proud to introduce you to the work of Giuseppe Virgone, an Italian emerging fashion designer who launched his first collection in 2010. Let's dive into his gothic and almost theatrical universe paved with historical references.
When is your brand born?
The project started in late 2009 when I gave birth to a first collection called "An animal must die". It was unveiled at the RA shop in Antwerp a few days after its opening. I presented my work as a performance with an installation which related to this universe.
The project started in late 2009 when I gave birth to a first collection called "An animal must die". It was unveiled at the RA shop in Antwerp a few days after its opening. I presented my work as a performance with an installation which related to this universe.
Who, from the fashion or "creative world" do you take inspiration from?
I am inspired a lot by the past, by strong characters, Greek mythology, and religious belief. Also from the works of contemporary artists such as Romeo Castellucci, the Chapman brothers etc. and strangely music inspires me a lot too.
I am inspired a lot by the past, by strong characters, Greek mythology, and religious belief. Also from the works of contemporary artists such as Romeo Castellucci, the Chapman brothers etc. and strangely music inspires me a lot too.
Can you tell us a bit more about your background please?
I am a young fashion designer based in Brussels trained at the National School of Visual Arts of La Cambre in Brussels.
I am a young fashion designer based in Brussels trained at the National School of Visual Arts of La Cambre in Brussels.
After an internship at Gaspard Yurkievich as a “modist”, I launched my first men winter collection in 2010 called "An animal must die."
This collection evokes the fate of a mortal man, an unconditional love for an animal and the incomprehension of unjustified actions. Space and movements of the body are the essential focuses of my work.
This collection is a transformation of the body and the mind. We begin with a very simple world, a mix of sacred and religion which then breaks down and merges into more contemporary shapes, materials, animal tissue, aggressive embroidery stifling the body.
In the end it will give way to fantasy where reality mixes with dream. Bodies are cracking, the power falls, burns the vanity, the mind becomes king! The garment is made up as if the body wanted to say something, a moment of pure grace in which all souls oscillate. Nothing has value, while there, everything disappears. There is not even a border between the body, between words and surfaces.
Where can we find your designs?My first collection was sold in Antwerp at the RA shop and next month it will be available on: www.ledressing.be
I’d like to see a list of buyers and some "showroom space".
Thanks to Giuseppe.
Can you tell us about your latest collection?
I called this collection "Broken agreement" because it defines what Savonarole (an Italian Dominican friar) lived. First, there was a religious belief. This belief drove him mad. Politics and religion were mixed in his mind, he wanted to control everything but nothing worked. All this power drove him to his loss and his death.
This collection reflects the time when the religious soul is confronted with a half human, half monster shell!
It is a portrait of Girolamo Savonarola, a priest who died in the bonfire in Florence, Italy in 1498. This character took over the city, censored nudity and the vanity of painters of the time. Contemporary thought was not welcome.
This collection is a transformation of the body and the mind. We begin with a very simple world, a mix of sacred and religion which then breaks down and merges into more contemporary shapes, materials, animal tissue, aggressive embroidery stifling the body.
In the end it will give way to fantasy where reality mixes with dream. Bodies are cracking, the power falls, burns the vanity, the mind becomes king! The garment is made up as if the body wanted to say something, a moment of pure grace in which all souls oscillate. Nothing has value, while there, everything disappears. There is not even a border between the body, between words and surfaces.
My work is very dark.
What do you think about French Fashion's scene?
What do you think about French Fashion's scene?
I really like Paris for the Menswear fashion week. Collections are always right, but perhaps a little hard to penetrate when you are a young fashion designer. I wish for a Belgian fashion week. It would make things easier for us to show our work.
I really like the ritual of dressing and undressing. I like to say that throughout our movements, a celebration will be born.
Have you had any support from other fashion figure?
As we speak, I am alone showing this body of work.What are you expressing through your designs?
First of all I dress a space, a movement and then the body. I like to create a tragedy before suffocating the body. I really like the ritual of dressing and undressing. I like to say that throughout our movements, a celebration will be born.
Are you showing at Paris Fashion week or any other fashion weeks?
Yes, I will present my work as a video-performance-look book. I don’t have any space yet.Where can we find your designs?
To finish with, what would you wish to this blog and what do you think about it?
Your blog is well designed, a kind of diary for fashion. If you need any fashion information, your blog surely gives the answer.I’d like to see a list of buyers and some "showroom space".
Thanks to Giuseppe.
