Images from "The Meeting" by Simon Ekrelius aw12/13 Hair by With Sep
Swedish designer Simon Ekrelius started in Stockholm, where his graduating collection was voted one of the best ten from the student collections in Sweden's Smirnoff International Award, with textiles that consisted of plastic and moose. Ekrelius is now based in London, where he focuses on conceptual RTW collections that combines soft tailoring, bold prints, and architectural silhouettes with contrasting textures that reflect his seasonal inspirations. Eclectic had the chance to get up to some fashion mayhem and chit chat before his aw12 RTW hits the stores.
eclectic*: Your collections draw inspirations from architecture along with Post-modernism, Art-deco, Bauhaus, and modern painters. What is inspiring you at the moment?
simon: Its the DNA. Throughout my life I have met many people and I have felt that sometimes the connection between people is so strong, and also in some ways scary. I guess it can be real love and sometimes it's the opposite. And it's because of this connection that the things we do can be unlimited. I thought of DNA and the genes that connect personalities, whether loving or clashing, then I thought of Bonnie and Clyde, and then of Patty Hearst - some of the things people do when we love someone....
e: What are you listening to at the moment?
s: Metronomy, Art department, Santigold, the Coasts, Airplay, Bitter S weet and Graham Coxon and lots of old electric sounds such as Blue Monday etc.
e: How did you first get interested in fashion? Did you have a style icon growing up?
Designer Simon Ekrelius
s: My mum and grandmother both sewed and they were both creative people, they did all my clothes and big stuffed toys like fantasy animals when i grow up, I guess its in my blood. My grand mother and I are more similar types, she was deep and at the same time she had a wicked sense of humour, dark and naughtiness. She had a great sense of styling herself, (not giving a damn of other peoples opinion style). While growing up I also looked towards singers such as Grace Jones, (still do, she is mad in a healthy way) and Bianca Jagger,Annie Lennox in the 80's was really cool and The Cure, Duran Duran and Depeche Mode, and New Order of course.
e: On the streets, what are the main differences you have seen in emerging trends in London and Stockholm? How would you describe the Stockholm fashion scene?
s: Stockholm is like in high school, if someone is wearing something different and cool then the rest takes that on, its hilarious to see, one trend can fuse the whole city like fire, and often if you don't do that style you then easily become the weird one or the trend setter without knowing it. Its wee bit creepy in that sense.
e: How would you describe the 'Simon Ekrelius style'?
s: Simple architectural lines and complicated patterns. its sarcastic and yet it has a serious undertone, I adore the combination of dark and light. Sheer and heavy I guess is between formal and street' in a larger description but I recommend people to have a look at my web-site and then they can see, its a visual based work and not so much practical. sometimes with pockets etc but not climbing mountains in. All-though if I were a woman I would like to look stunning when I'm on top of a mountain so why not, or skip the climbing, just do the helicopter...you don't want to die in a ''North Face jacket'', its better to do it in my fake fur cape with silk dupion lining and some shoes from McQueen.
e:Who do you imagine wears your clothes and who would you like to see in them?
s: Anyone that feels like they are able too.. ''Not giving a damn of other peoples opinion'' is what they need to have in their head. Only knowing themselves that they like it and thats the most important.
e: Is fashion important?
s: Yes, its like music, art, architecture or dance. Its important that we connect with the reality of today and tomorrow and not hiding in the past as I can find people who are too much in the past slightly bit scared of today and often in denial. New ideas are a vital part of our natural cycle.
e: What direction are you heading for Spring 2013?
s: Hmm, at the moment is all under construction and a sensitive subject. Soon it will be revealed. come to Paris and see me at Zip Zone.
e: Do you have a survival plan in case of a zombie apocalypse?
s: To pretend to be one of the zombies (its easy , just not to wear foundation, add more black eyeliner, grab a sad wig and few sad black 90's pieces) and then escape with my man and two cats to an island somewhere on a boat that I designed (and pre-ordered).
e: Which films have had the strongest influence on your designs or vision?
s: Pedro Almodovar movies makes my brain work in terms of the stories and feelings.
Also the energy from films such as ''PINA'' and ''The Hours'', I feel that good work of art in all areas makes my blood pumping and I feel alive again, I just went to see Pina Bausch at Sadlers Wells and that was the best I could of done to myself, its a real treat and Pina was a brilliant artist. It really shakes up all of your-self, but you must be in contact with your own head in-order for this to happen.
e: At the Lucha Libre (a Mexican wresting ring), who would you like to see wrestle?
s: Hugh Jackman or American Chris Evans from fantastic four, (not the English
presenter one, imagine,, no thanks)
e: What is your favourite Macaroon?
s: The pink one
July 9, 2012 - 9:19 am
Those shoes are amazing with the horns, are those also by Simon?
July 9, 2012 - 9:51 am
I will have to look into who made the shoes. I do have to mention though, that his comments about North Face, left me laughing in hysterics, that was exactly how I felt growing up, and still do. I rather hike barefoot, than wear some ugly boots that aren’t comfortable anyways.