Vice magazine interview – Gareth Pugh

One of the undeniable bright stars in British fashion, Gareth Pugh granted Vice magazine a rare interview for their latest once-a-year fashion issue. A critical success, acclaimed by the likes of Vogue and Dazed & Confused as well as La Wintour herself, he is definitely one of the most intriguing characters 

On being more than fashion: “I don’t think about it. If I did I’d spend too much time not doing work. PJ Harvey recently said the same thing on TV—it wasn’t until two years after she wrote her songs that she understood them. What I do is more than just the clothes. It’s getting out whatever is inside that’s screaming the loudest. I wouldn’t call it therapeutic. It’s not that conscious”

On how tough it is for new labels: “There was a point a couple of years ago, right before a show, when I barely had enough money to get my team over to Paris. But I think it’s like Alcoholics Anonymous: Take every day as it comes.We didn’t sell anything from the poodle or gimp shows—nothing until the fourth or fifth show. My first show was such a last-minute thing. I was only really thinking about the show and not selling stuff afterward“.
On opening a store in Hong Kong: “Walking around the corner and seeing my shop next to Gucci was freaky. Rick Owen’s wife, Michelle Lamy, thinks moneyed Chinese women like to look very chic, like avant-garde punks. I just make more sense over there”.
On the lack of colour: “ shapes are more palatable in black. Also, I’m into silhouettes, which are black. Though we’re actually doing colour this season: black, blue, and gold. Like an Yves Klein blue. The show is all aggressive femininity and submissive vicars and very Caravaggio”.
On triangles: “They are the strongest shapes we have. In architecture and engineering, for example, triangles are used to achieve internal strength. Also, triangles are ancient symbols of power and strength”.
 For more from the interview, check out Vice magazine.