Hi Andrea! So streetwear - what is it? Hmm, I don’t know any more, the 90’s were a long time ago! I think nowadays street has lost it’s original dangerous vibe, and home is the new streetwear! Did you always want to be in fashion or was it just the family business? Going into the clothing field was a really natural step. When we were growing up you have to imagine that me and my Brother used to sleep in denim fabric wagon and we worked at the wear house every summer, so I guess it was pretty normal, in our blood even. The split from Diesel - was that an exciting moment of independence? We never split! Let’s just say we took our chance to be independent outside the family house. Exploring
use their Polartec® Classic 200 fleece fabric. For
nowadays. It’s all about word of mouth and com-
new people, a new situation and a new market.
the upcoming FW12 collection we played with the
munities. People don’t trust big advertisements any
outdoor mood of Polartec and added a dose of
more but do trust a link on a friends facebook page.
Do you have any fashion skeletons in your closet?
55DSL’s signature street design for a resulting look
We also work exclusively with a lot of international
Whats the worst thing you’ve ever worn?
that mixes cool colour with technical performance.
bloggers who advise on trends
For the next season I’m excited about a Salewa Fashion skeletons? I don’t know, I feel pretty
jacket we just finished with a super nice colour
confident with all the stuff I’m wearing. But I
and shape. We always have new collaborations coming up and I
remember that my mom when I was at Elementary school used to make me wear these shoes with
What else does 55DSL have coming up?
How do you look for your collaborators?
am going to get much more connected to music in my work. I’m planning on going to a lot of festivals this
a penny in the front. I hated them then but now Sometimes it’s pure random coincidence, we just
summer, including Calvi on The Rock festival in France
happen to meet the right people at the right time.
which we are partnering and Secret Garden Party in
Whats the new line looking like? Favourite piece?
Other times it’s friends and friends of friends!
the UK. We also have the fifth anniversary of our 10.55
Our collection is inspired by the Caribbean world,
Outside the world of fashion, if you could collaborate
magnum P.I. style. But of course still maintaining
with any brand or person what would you create?
More than this though, I’m super excited about a short
our italian heritage. My favourite piece is probably a
Maybe a 55DSL Rocket!
film we made with a bunch of directors called CANADA.
they’re very trendy!
limited edition tee project coming up in 2013.
They’re the guys behind that amazing Battles ‘Ice
gingham shirt with caribbean flowers all over it. The whole workwear/hawaiian vibe is something that
I’d love to work with loads of different artists, but if
Cream’ video. We spent two weeks on an epic road
people wear around.
I had to choose it would probably be Aaron Rose.
trip from the top to the bottom of Italy. It was crazy;
Maybe it would be something to do with vintage,
it involved a volcano, Roman baths, and a helicopter
from furniture to solar panel design.
evacuation. But you’ll have to wait till September to see
Any collaborations you’re really excited about? Or any artists you’d love to approach?
that one...
I can’t wait to see our upcoming collaboration
What would be your advice for any young creatives
with Polartec ® Classic 200 for three pieces that
looking to get the chance to collaborate with 55DSL? The most important thing is to always show your work with maximum enthusiasm. What is your favourite city in the world for style? I like Tokyo a lot because I grew up watching Japanese cartoons. I also love the midwest of America, cities like Colorado Springs, Denver and Chicago. What about London - any favourite hangouts? London is a great city. I like hanging out in Shoreditch with all its vintage shops and indian restaurants. Bars like Jaguar Shoes and old bars like the Commercial Tavern and the Old Blue Last. What are the biggest shifts happening in fashion? Are you finding new ways to have conversations with 55DSL fans through social media and is that affecting your lines? The biggest shifts I see happing in fashion are that people want, like, appreciate “real” stuff, you know almost going back to some kind of heritage and vintage per se. Yes, we are heavily driven on the social side of things - a company has to be
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Check out Andreas creations at www.55DSL.com.