FASHION DESIGNER ANDREW GEIN BORN IN SINGAPORE IN 1966, FINISHED THE FAMOUS SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE IN LONDON. Later, he studied at the prestigious Academy "DOMUS" in Milan, where his teachers were Gianfranco Ferre and Anna Piaggi. PRACTICAL SKILLS AT THE END OF STUDIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS HE HAS ACQUIRED WORKING WITH "EMMANUEL UNGARO" IN PARIS. IN 1996, ANDREW CREATES HIS OWN BRAND ANDREW GN, WHICH TODAY IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE. ANDREW DECIDED TO REPRESENT THEIR NEW COLLECTION AT THE DUBAI STORE "SAKS FIFTH AVENUE". HERE AND WE HAVE FOUND IT.
Andrew, your collections are striking in their splendor and blatant luxury. Why is it so important for you to dress a woman like a queen?
I have been surrounded by luxury all my life. My parents are big fans of the beautiful, and our house has a large collection of works from different eras - from European painting and modern art to Chinese porcelain of the Ming dynasty. We lived in central London, so I and my brother received a brilliant education.
Plus, my mom is a surprisingly elegant and beautiful woman. She always dressed in Chanel and Dior, wore the best jewelry, she was well known and always accepted in the English society of the 1970s. My sister married a respectable lawyer. So, from childhood I was surrounded by beautiful things and secular characters. Most likely that is why I wanted to become either a curator of the arts and work in some well-known international museum or auction house, or do creative work myself. I chose the second, and, it seems to me, I was not mistaken.
It is amazing to be at the forefront and create everything that is then called fashion trends ...
Yes, this is an amazing process. And the fashion world is an incredible world in which it is never boring. If you think about it, we are now working in a crazy rhythm. Previously, couturiers produced only two collections a year - autumn-winter and spring-summer, but now, on the eve of each of the seasons, pre-collections are also coming out, and, without fail, a cruise and capsule collection is being created. Total - six collections per year, that is, every two months. It is not easy, but fun. This is easy for me! I am not a workaholic, but I like to create!
And when did you decide to work independently, under your own brand? How was your style formed?
I had wonderful teachers in Milan and an excellent practical school at Ungaro, where I worked for a year. But from the very beginning I knew that I would not work for someone else, I always wanted creative independence. I decided to borrow some money from my father and start my own company.
So the brand appeared Andrew GN. As for the style, eclecticism is very close to me. I like to combine the splendor of baroque with minimalism, to weave elements of the rococo style into modern rock and roll. In the same way, by the way, I purchase art objects for my collection. I can buy a silver candlestick of the 17th century or an Faberge egg from St. Petersburg, and then a couple of paintings by contemporary artists or some modern art sculpture. This can be seen in my collections of clothes.
My motto in work is uncompromising beauty and luxury! And I do not want to create trends that change every two to three months. I am interested in creating really chic things that a woman will be happy to wear for many years, periodically taking them out of the closet. Each product of my collections is made exclusively in France, and this distinguishes the Anrew GN brand even among the most prestigious designer brands!
Where were the Andrew GN collections first presented?
First? Interest Ask! It was the Barneys department store in New York. And in the first season I sold a total of 36 dresses. In the same year I presented my collections in Paris. Over time, the brand expanded, and today one of my largest customers is the Saks Fifth Avenue network. We have a great relationship! In addition, Saks has many Russian clients.
What do Russian customers value most in Andrew GN collections?
I believe that they feel my sincere love for Russia, its richest culture and people! I adore Russia and have been to Moscow many times. I really like delicious and nothing better than Russian pies with different fillings I have not tried in the world ... Yes, let's get back to fashion, although cooking is also, to some extent, a reflection of the fashion and tastes of the era.
When I think of Russia, I imagine the splendor of palaces, the beauty of St. Petersburg, the luxury of the decoration of Orthodox churches. It seems to me that every Russian person has a love of beauty and splendor - in blood.
Therefore, Russian buyers so value in my clothes unique decorative elements and hand-made embroideries, jewelry with precious stones, craftsmanship and delicate execution of each product. They can not resist the beauty of my dresses! Every woman today knows that there should be several business suits in her wardrobe, small black dresses, classic trousers, skirts and blouses. But in order to motivate her to buy a new thing, you need to offer the woman something truly fantastic! Extraordinary! Fabulous My collections are special. This attracts them.
What fabrics best enable you to transform your ideas into beautiful things?
There are only two materials that the first is for summer, the second is for winter. Especially for the Russian. There is nothing better than a cozy cashmere item with natural fur trim. That's where the luxury is! Silk is mysticism! He is malleable and fluid, it is interesting to work with him.
Andrew, please describe your new collection in three words?
Sexy, romantic and mystical ...
What kind of dress does a self-respecting fashionista need to buy this summer?
Kaftan dress from my new collection. I sewed them from the fabrics of the brightest tropical flowers and decorated them with embroidery with beads, rhinestones and sequins. They are wonderful! And they are able to turn every woman into a real star. I create for such women! It is important for me that after such a woman everyone looked admiringly if she appears in the room. This is Anrew GN's style, and no compromises.
Thank you for the conversation and for the wonderful collection, Andrew. Special thanks for such an enthusiastic attitude towards Russia. Good luck
