Photo: Alexandre CV
What do you make?
I make clothes. Mostly dresses, tops, and skirts for women.
My
approach to design started with the love for unique fabric and an interest in the cultural tradition of fabric making. I try to use fabrics from
different eras and regions of the world to produce unique combinations of colors, textures, and styles in
my design.
Photo: Manon Parent
Where does the name Les Enfants Sauvages come from?
It actually comes from a book that studies cases of children who were found having survived in the
wild. It's a behavioral psychology and anthropology classic by Lucien Malson.
It reveals many interesting things about the
behavioral development of human beings. The book inspired me in the
first place because I wanted a name that would reveal the "outsider"
quality of my work. The proper English translation is actually "feral
child" and not "savage child ". It is a metaphor for individuality, difference,
otherness, and freedom.
Photo: Manon Parent
You use fabrics from all over the world. How do you source them and how do you choose?
I source my fabric in Montreal and in
New-York when I go. I also order online now that I have a good knowledge of origin, brands and quality.As for how I choose, I search for colors that appeal to me. I look for distinctive colors and special motifs
that will fit the theme of a collection.
Photo: Manon Parent
I especially fell in love with the West African clothing tradition when researching fabrics from around the world. [Fabric] plays an important role in these regions. It is greatly valued by people in West Africa since people spend an enormous amount of money on fabric in that region of the world. The pagne has a very important significance in the country since it is different between different regions of West Africa. Some colors are strictly for certain ages, and every design has a certain significance, name, and proverb that reveals a unique meaning be it political, magical or plain symbol of consumerism (cell phone and perfume motifs etc...). So they really are means of communication beyond just a fabric. This is what got me interested at first. Then I asked the question, how can this be translated here?
I feel that there is a space in the
Montreal landscape of designers
for bright colors and bold prints. I also think that wearing bright colors makes one happy. I like to use
these bright and bold colors/prints in a balanced manner. Balance is key. I like
to be subtle while daring with my designs.
Do your different lines have themes?
Generally speaking, I am working under
the overarching theme/idea of post-exotism, as intended by the French writer
Antoine Volodine. His free form
literature and his theme of the "other", undetermined "other"
in time and space is what sums up my line of work. I am exploring
his literature for his tough dynamic quality because the theme of my upcoming collection is inspired by the
proletariat-working class aesthetics of the 50's combined with the "luxury
" of colors and fabric from Africa
and Southeast Asia. In the end,
my latest styles would resemble
the working attire of a crew of an imaginary Asian airline, (who are futuristic but traditional),
that would be both in the past and in the future.
Photos: Manon Parent
In your opinion, which of the countries you have visited has the most interesting fashion aesthetic?
Well, I visited Vietnam, where I found a
rich tradition of cloths and fabric making. I documented the whole process of
dying hemp with natural indigo. It was like
a dream; I had an amazing time in these beautiful mountains with the rice
fields. One of the first nations of Vietnam, the Hmong people, also have a
great tradition of embroidery that has magical powers. They also have
magnificent silver crafts. But
overall I felt a huge love and appreciation for the traditional costumes
that the Hmong wear. There
was the craftsmanship; but also this dignity in carrying an ancient tradition,
and the very product of the land: namely hemp, silver and indigo. This
unexpected (for me) mix of forms,
textures and colors was very poetic and beautiful. I always admire people who dress
poetically.
Photo: Manon Parent
What is the best music to listen to while designing/ making clothes?
Well, first, I want to respect my studio
mate ! But these days, when I am alone, I listen to Terry Riley or other
contemporary and classic music. I found out that I love Chinese opera, and 1950's
samba music. Now that it is the end of winter and all, I listen to quieter
music like the mix tape of one of my favorite music blogs, Holy Warbles, where
I discovered Reet Hendrikson, and Sir Richard Bishop.
Who do you see wearing Les Enfants Sauvages?
Hum... anybody who would re-interpret and
make my clothes personal to them.
Find new Spring/Summer pieces in store soon!
