Only the other day we were talking to friends about our ideal man. We were saying we love a man who plays with gender expectations and the GODDESS FALL 2016 collection is giving us just that with their sketches of beefy men on femme pastels. Designed by David Siferd and modelled here by the hunky Mike Soto, this season’s collection was inspired by the artist Edo who even collaborated on the project. Unveiled here first exclusively, we speak to label head David to find out more…
How long has GODDESS been in business?
I started designing the first GODDESS collection around the end of 2012, while I was finishing my degree in fashion design. I had so many ideas I wanted to put together for a brand, and some of my friends were interested in buying pieces from me, so I decided to start the label.
What inspired this new collection?
The new collection is a collaboration between myself and the Vienna-based illustrator Edo. His artwork usually portrays big, attractive men, but the way he portrays them is so delicate, and that delicateness even extends to the linework and presentation itself. I found his artwork on his tumblr and as soon as I saw it I knew we had to work together, so I reached out, and fortunately he was interested in the collaboration as well.
How did the collaboration work out?
It was quite simple, Edo is great to work with! I sent him some ideas of garments, and he made the beautiful artwork and picked out the colors for the garments he liked. He suggested some styles as well which was exciting for me to have some fresh ideas. After we got all the pieces made, I went to NYC for a photoshoot with my great photographer Dalong Yang and model Mike Soto, then sent the pieces over to Edo in Europe where he had a photoshoot as well.
Edo seems very mysterious. Can you tell us more about him?
Yes! He’s very sweet, I don’t know too much about him either, just that he used to live in London, and is a great illustrator. You can follow him on twitter at @edoiam if you want to learn more yourself.
Have you guys done mens clothes before?
All of our styles are unisex! I’ve always seen it as really important to include all types of models for GODDESS, because the brand is really meant for any person who likes it. I like to choose models who fit with the concepts and ideas of the collections, first and foremost, and sometimes that means casting men, as I did for this photoshoot.
You’re playing with typically ‘feminine’ pastel colours. Why did you go for that?
Edo chose all of the colors for this collection, and he nearly always uses lighter colors for his work. I love using pastel colors as well so I think the color palette is perfect for the collaboration.
How important for you is the contrast between typically masculine imagery and feminine themes/colours?
I’ve always loved to play with juxtaposition and paradoxes, and find gender to be a central theme of my work. If I created a solely ‘masculine’ collection, for example, I don’t think it would be very interesting, but if I mix the masculine elements with more feminine ones, it better illustrates my concepts and ideas. I’m sure people are tired of hearing about it by now, but I see gender as an entirely negative concept that I try to ignore as much as possible – in my life and in my work.
We’re in love with your model. Tell us about him.
Isn’t Mike great? He’s actually a friend of mine, and I chose him because I really think he has the same energy as Edo’s illustrations. He’s very sweet, and fun, while having a really handsome look, and I think that’s a perfect match for what Edo portrays. As soon as I started thinking of models to shoot for the collection, I thought of Mike, and the more I considered it, the more perfect I knew he was for the shoot.
What’s next for you guys?
I’ve already started designing the next collection, Spring 2017, which will be shot and released in late Summer, so be sure to look out for that. 🙂
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