Ahead of his AW14 showcase later today at Fashion Scout Bernard Chandran talks to us about his new collection as well as the inspiration behind his aesthetic vision.
What
do you have in-store for us tonight?
A surprise! Within thirty
seconds you see the illusion of a three piece suit which is actually an all in
one suit. I’m very inspired by menswear tailoring. It’s all about the one look
– the woman could be running the country, being a housewife… The garment speaks
for itself.
So
menswear is your main inspiration?
Yes but it’s not androgynous
- I translate it into womenswear. It’s
powerful, confident, the woman of this collection is definitely not insecure,
she has an inner confidence and is very powerful.
How
do you want to make women feel in your clothes?
I want to elevate her spirit,
for her to enjoy fashion and to be whoever she is, whether a housewife, mother,
or business woman… Whatever she does she always knows herself.
You’re
known as the “Prince of Fashion” back in Malaysia. How do you feel that your
cultural background influences your work?
Malaysia is my root but I am
also Indian and Chinese so my two cultures are always injected in my work. I
take traditional prints, such as handwoven brocade, and mix with leathers and
other fabrics to make them more trendy. Culture always inspires my clothes –
they’re traditional but in touch with the world.
How
would you describe the woman behind your collection?
My wife is my muse – she
understands art, music, culture. She doesn’t compare herself to other woman and
isn’t insecure, she doesn’t care. She knows that she’s damn good.
What
do you think about Fashion Scout?
It’s great. It improves every
year and its amazing that it provides a platform for new designers.
By Lydia Smyth. Follow me on
Twitter: @LydiaRoseSmythPhotography by Ollie Savge. (@Olisav) taken on the fashion forward LumixGM1 (@PanasonicUK)