In keeping with January 2017’s societal theme, which celebrated Generation Z and girl squads who are breaking boundaries and reinventing codes, we have chosen to give the spotlight to participative and optimistic fashion, which is always looking for new solutions.
This positive community highlights exhibitors, buyers, influencers, fashion students and other industry professionals through the portrait they created in January 2017 at the collaborative workshop with the english artist, Joe Cruz.
As you can see in this video, all of the participants had the chance to customize a black and white portrait of themselves using pastels, all with the help of Joe Cruz.
Through this campaign, we want to show the diversity of the individuals who make up the Who’s Next fashion community and who all have a part to play in our industry.
Elsa Snakers, 30, French
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
#diy #stopmotion #creative
What do you do for work?
I’m very spoiled 🙂 I have a blog where I put beauty and fashion tips and ideas for DIY, a design studio where I put on my Artistic Director’s hat and produce stop motion videos and soon I’ll launch my brand!
What inspires you?
Many things on social media, mostly on Instagram and some things on Pinterest. I’m also hugely inspired by designers, models, artists, photographers and organisations…
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
Co-creation, and seeing other people’s’ talents.
Which fashion initiative do you find the most promising, from an entrepreneurial point of view?
Taking part in a young designers’ competition and launching a virtual shop window through Instagram. I recently helped out at the Festival de Mode d’Hyères (Hyères Fashion Festival) and I learned that prizes are a launchpad and- through something very sought-after- they are helping people to distinguish themselves. Those who succeed today are those who dare to speak about themselves on Instagram, but stay humble.
What are your projects for 2017/18?
Do some collaborations to expand ELSAMUSE, get it off the ground with other universes in France and abroad, and put stars in the eyes of the public.
Follow Elsa on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and her website
Typhaine Augusto, 25, French
What do you do for work?
I am a part of a generation which doesn’t stick with just one activity, I have lots of ‘slash’ jobs. I am a photo stylist, a blogger, dj and I am taking theatre & musical comedy classes.
What do you find most challenging about fashion at the moment?
Developing « no gender » fashion to break down the gender boundaries which are lingering in the industry and in society in general.
What’s your biggest dream?
The cheesiest is to star in a musical comedy on Broadway, the most realistic is to live in London!
Follow Typhaine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and her website.
Katia Giorgino, Lazy Kat, 29, French
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
Eclectic, colourful, fun (lol).
What do you do for work?
I have a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog: Lazy Kat!
What inspires you?
Everything! Things I see in the street, on instagram, on pinterest and in magazines etc.
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
The DIY aspect and the color which really pops against the black and white portrait- it’s visually beautiful!
What is your role in this industry?
I inspire (at least I hope I do) my community and show them that you can be stylish without being a size 6!
What’s your biggest dream?
To be Lady Gaga’s BFF.
What are your 3 favorite instagram accounts?
Mine and my cat’s! Seriously though… I really like @JaimeToutChezToi, @AlexCloset and @HypeBae.
Follow Katia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and her website.
Julien Allain, 23, French
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
#joker #chatterbox #curious
What do you do for work?
Traffic manager and management assistant in a big ad agency.
What inspires you?
Pinterest, Tumblr, old photos and the cinema
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
Having complete control of my own photo! Highlighting certain elements (and hiding others).
What do you find most challenging about fashion at the moment?
Being surprising
What is your role in this industry?
Making it accessible, and helping people to make it their own.
Which fashion initiative do you find the most promising, from an entrepreneurial point of view?
The development of ‘Made in France’.
What are your projects for 2017/18?
Holidays, videos and tattoos.
What are your 3 favorite Instagram accounts?
Adam Gallagher, Pelayo Diaz and Topman.
Follow Julien on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his website.
Rudy Fontaine, 23, French
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
#Liberté #Egalité #Fraternité
What do you do for work?
I studied applied arts and then styling and modeling. I’ve been a ready-to-wear stylist for two years. At the moment I’m looking for another job in the same field.
What inspires you?
Essentially the street, from the urban and popular environment and people that I come across, and from contemporary art and history. Certain people in the music industry and their music inspire me a lot.
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
Just taking part.
What do you find most challenging about fashion at the moment?
Trying to create ethical instead of short lived fashion. Finding and using a balanced and reasonable way of producing pieces.
Which fashion initiative do you find the most promising, from an entrepreneurial point of view?
The most promising initiative is that of not wanting to turn fashion into a business, but instead consider it as above all an exchange which is a fundamental part of culture and leaves its mark on history, and not a disposable thing which nobody had any time to appreciate let alone see happen.
What are your projects for 2017/18?
- Carry on working with one or several fashion houses and really make the most of the experience.
- Start to think about eventually starting my own brand, or even a collective which brings together fashion, upcycling, performance, music and concerts.
- Quit smoking
- Find a soulmate
Follow Rudy on Instagram.
Chloé de Nombel, 24, French
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
#iwokeuplikethis
What do you do for work?
I am a film costume designer and photographer.
What inspires you?
My work is very linked to imagery, but more than photography, it’s cinema images which influences me the most today I think. We’re always looking for the New Wave, for example, or working on the staging of a piece of clothing.
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
I really liked this exercise: I loved drawing on my portrait to the point where the original is nowhere to be seen.
What do you find most challenging about fashion at the moment?
Bringing back the noughties, and making people excited about it!
What is your role in this industry?
I like clothes, everything comes from this simple observation. Specifically, my role in the fashion industry is minimal: I keep it going by buying clothes, like everyone else! But as soon as I can, as a costumer, I’d like to choose the pieces which I really like, even if they’re by unknown designers… I’d happily do that!
Which fashion initiative do you find the most promising, from an entrepreneurial point of view?
I honestly have no idea. I’m not very good at following the whole industry: I’m very tuned to new releases in ready-to-wear or in haute couture, but I don’t always understand the concept of what’s ‘underneath the fabric’ or what makes a brand successful.
What are your projects for 2017/18?
To work on a film in Iceland.
What’s your biggest dream?
It’s simple: a beach covered in sun, a calm and lovely sea, scenery where you could shoot a thousand films and each time the setting would be fresh and intelligent… For example erotic films so that everybody is naked and I don’t have to constantly worry about fittings.
What are your 3 favorite Instagram accounts?
@raccoon_tory because baby raccoons are the best thing in the world
@enjoyphoenix because it always makes me laugh
@lallo25 Alessandro Michele’s account, which I’m mentioning to maintain a bit of credibility for my interest in fashion!
Follow Chloé on Instagram.
Pascal K. Douglas, Fashion Snoops, 29, American
3 adjectives/hashtags to describe you?
#extrovertintrovert #esthete #curious
What do you do for work?
I try not to just exist but to live
What inspires you?
Daring individuals
What do you like the most about this project Z with Joe Cruz?
The support for young creatives and the positivity
What do you find most challenging about fashion at the moment?
Fast fashion
What is your role in this industry?
Journalist and photographer
What’s your biggest dream?
Happiness.. but I’d settle for a trip around the world
What are your 3 favorite instagram accounts?
@__irenette__, @le21eme, @fashionphotographyappreciation
Follow Pascal on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his website.
