LO: Was Futurstate born through your own personal style? Do you dress like you design? LS: Yes. I’ve worn black since I was quite young, and never liked the idea of looking like anyone else. I’ve often used clothing as a means of self expression. The first inkling of Futurstate was all about making something to wear out on the weekend. LO: Which came first? LS: With Futurstate I delved more into the futuristic dystopian mindset and started designing what I imagined others would enjoy wearing out clubbing. A sharp and modern look that was dark, slightly devious and edgy. A style to embody the feeling of belonging to a certain alternative tribe, while remaining distinct and individualist. LO: What is the inspiration behind your work? LS: Often I find that inspiration comes through a lot of sketching and daydreaming. In terms of research I tend to indulge in looking up fashion from different eras, film costuming, military history, lingerie, dystopian sci-fi films...the list goes on and on. Often inspiration turns up in the most random places. I enjoy keeping an eye on street and club fashion as a way to gauge the general feeling of what is going on at certain points in time. LO: Can you describe your creative process? LS: Once a theme is discovered, I sketch as much as possible and choose which styles to create for a collection. Next it’s on to drafting (my favorite part), sourcing materials, and doing up samples. That’s the concise version – it’s not exactly that straightforward... LO: This issue is entitled “the horror issue.” Your work has carries themes of an apocalyptic future. Has this always been an interest of yours or has it come about in creating your line? LS:My interest in the apocalyptic future has definitely developed since creating Futurstate. I grew up with Star Wars, and love sci-fi / dystopian film - it is often an inspiration when designing. Some of my earlier film influences I’ve drawn from have been Dune, Blade Runner, and The Fifth Element. LO: What is your opinion on our obsession with an apocalypse? LS: Perhaps it’s an underlying tendency toward nihilism / anarchy? But maybe underneath it all, it’s about rebirth. Starting from scratch - imagining a better world beyond our own. LO: What is a cybergoth and how is it that this “being” came into existence? LS: Alternative subcultures are always shifting and modifying in terms of music and fashion. To me the cyber industrial scene has grown from the evolution of industrial / electronic music,
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combined with rapidly expanding technology. Embodying technology & the future. LO: Is this your only “job” LS: Yes, for the most part. I’ve also become intrigued with costuming. On occasion I do some work for the film / tv industry. LO: What are the three main ingredients of your line? LS: Militaristic Industrial Futuristic
Perhaps it’s an underlying tendency toward nihilism / anarchy? But maybe underneath it all, it’s about rebirth. Starting from scratch - imagining a better world beyond our own. LO: Describe the Futurstate customer. LS: Our customers tend to be involved in the alternative scene, often musicians, or into clubbing, creative types, techie types. It’s hard to pinpoint, but it tends to be a range of cool and interesting people from different corners of the world. LO: How do you choose your models? LS: We look for models with a strong individualistic aesthetic. LO: You’ve been involved in many shows. What has been the most memorable experience/moment? LS: I remember one of the first runway shows I did for |FAT| Fashion Art Toronto. I had designed a new collection and I remember walking out at the end of the show to an amazing amount of applause - that moment has always stuck in my mind. LO: Where do you think Futurstate is headed? What’s the future for you as a designer? LS: On the verge of releasing a new group of designs and website for Futurstate. As a designer I’m also interested in exploring new genres including dark contemporary fashion, footwear and costume design. LO: On that note – where do you think we the general population is headed? Do you believe in an apocalypse? LS: I think we’re living in an interesting time, things are shifting and that is exciting. Apocalypse? No…at least not with a big bang. I think it will always remain as a great source of inspiration.