'The most beautiful women don't follow general trends'
By Michelle Zhang |
September 5, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AT only age 30, Australian fashion designer Angelo Katsapis already has an enviable CV. He has worked as senior designer for Giorgio Armani on Armani's namesake main line for five years and is one of the creators of the haute couture line Armani Prive.
He has designed the evening gowns and beading for fashion shows and countless VIP clientele, including Hollywood A-list actresses such as Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston, and members of royal families.
Two years ago, he launched his own line, angelokatsapis, dedicated to women of natural class who look for a refined, easy-chic fashion style.
Katsapis was in Shanghai recently to attend the opening of Maryling, a new brand targeting wealthy, sophisticated and fashion-conscious Chinese women. As the brand's creative director, Katsapis talked to Shanghai Daily about the newest fashion trends in the upcoming autumn/winter season, his understanding of beauty and how he has managed to achieve success in the fickle fashion world in a relatively short time. Q: How did you decide to work as creative director for a new brand like Maryling? How does it compare with your own namesake line?
A: It is a wonderful opportunity to create a brand from scratch addressing the modern Chinese woman, in which I'd like to combine the Eastern and Western cultures and our respective strengths and resources.
The similarities are that both women have innate class. The price points of Maryling are more accessible and so is the style. The angelokatsapis collection is pr't-a-porter (ready-to-wear), verging on haute couture.
Q: How would you describe your design style? As a man, how do you capture women's desire in fashion?
A: My design style is easy chic.
I admire women greatly and some of my closest friends are women. I respect the challenges they face in a modern world: the balance of their femininity in a male dominated world, their independence, their balancing of career and family commitments ... They are busy, lead demanding lives and I want to create clothing that is practical for their needs, beautiful and allows their individuality come through. I do not create clothes that compete with a person, just complement them.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned from Giorgio Armani?
A: The man's incredible efficiency, style and business acumen. Not to mention the luxury of being able to design, push my abilities and have such incredible resources to realize my creations.
Q: What is your observation on Shanghai ladies' fashion style?
A: I feel that there are so many different types of women with their own individual styles, which is great! They are not afraid to experiment and to even be daring with their styling combinations. They are very expressive.
Q: What kind of women are the most beautiful? Do you have any muse when you design?
A: To me, the most beautiful women are those who are individuals, who do not follow the general trends. They are intelligent, independent and comfortable in their own skins.
My muse is ... real women. All my wonderful female friends who are inspiring by their choices in life.
Q: What are the trends for this autumn/winter?
A: Clean, modern lines to clothing. A feeling of a more contemporary 1960s trend. Military chic. Very "grown up" and sophisticated clothing. Fashion classics!
He has designed the evening gowns and beading for fashion shows and countless VIP clientele, including Hollywood A-list actresses such as Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston, and members of royal families.
Two years ago, he launched his own line, angelokatsapis, dedicated to women of natural class who look for a refined, easy-chic fashion style.
Katsapis was in Shanghai recently to attend the opening of Maryling, a new brand targeting wealthy, sophisticated and fashion-conscious Chinese women. As the brand's creative director, Katsapis talked to Shanghai Daily about the newest fashion trends in the upcoming autumn/winter season, his understanding of beauty and how he has managed to achieve success in the fickle fashion world in a relatively short time. Q: How did you decide to work as creative director for a new brand like Maryling? How does it compare with your own namesake line?
A: It is a wonderful opportunity to create a brand from scratch addressing the modern Chinese woman, in which I'd like to combine the Eastern and Western cultures and our respective strengths and resources.
The similarities are that both women have innate class. The price points of Maryling are more accessible and so is the style. The angelokatsapis collection is pr't-a-porter (ready-to-wear), verging on haute couture.
Q: How would you describe your design style? As a man, how do you capture women's desire in fashion?
A: My design style is easy chic.
I admire women greatly and some of my closest friends are women. I respect the challenges they face in a modern world: the balance of their femininity in a male dominated world, their independence, their balancing of career and family commitments ... They are busy, lead demanding lives and I want to create clothing that is practical for their needs, beautiful and allows their individuality come through. I do not create clothes that compete with a person, just complement them.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned from Giorgio Armani?
A: The man's incredible efficiency, style and business acumen. Not to mention the luxury of being able to design, push my abilities and have such incredible resources to realize my creations.
Q: What is your observation on Shanghai ladies' fashion style?
A: I feel that there are so many different types of women with their own individual styles, which is great! They are not afraid to experiment and to even be daring with their styling combinations. They are very expressive.
Q: What kind of women are the most beautiful? Do you have any muse when you design?
A: To me, the most beautiful women are those who are individuals, who do not follow the general trends. They are intelligent, independent and comfortable in their own skins.
My muse is ... real women. All my wonderful female friends who are inspiring by their choices in life.
Q: What are the trends for this autumn/winter?
A: Clean, modern lines to clothing. A feeling of a more contemporary 1960s trend. Military chic. Very "grown up" and sophisticated clothing. Fashion classics!
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