As fans of reality fashion competitions 'Project Runway' and 'Project Catwalk' (its U.K. version) will attest, the format of the show is more often about fomenting drama and suspense between contestants than the fashions per se. The goal is obviously to keep the audience guessing as to who will walk away with the top prize. The usual ploys and editing tricks don't always work however. As someone who avidly followed last season's 'Project Catwalk' which ended in March 2008, I personally never thought the other finalists held a candle to the eventual winner Jasper Garvida either in terms of imagination or (especially) in terms of technical execution. His exceptional talent emerged early on in the series and by the time the competition reached the final stage, to my mind the outcome was obvious.
I had the opportunity to meet Jasper Garvida recently at the Miele-sponsored London Fashion Weekend event. In person, he is every bit the shy, soft-spoken candidate we saw on 'Project Catwalk' for ten weeks and he is as prone to blushing in real life as he was during the series. When we met, he was nervously reviewing his text - Garvida has teamed up with the German high-end appliance manufacturer for The Miele Fashion Prize and he was there to address a small crowd of guests and press. Ever the dashing figure, he was wearing a crisp, asymmetrical off-the-shoulder white shirt and a stunning gunmetal gray wool coat with a fur collar (both his creations of course). Born in the Philippines, he grew up in Canada and came to London to follow his dream of a career in fashion. Upon graduating from Central St Martin’s in 2004, he worked as an in-house designer for a combination of high end labels as well as for high street stores including the popular chains Monsoon and Miss Selfridge. While Garvida looks much younger than his age (he's in his early 30's but could easily pass for a teenager), one should not be fooled by either his youthful appearance or his gentle demeanor. Beneath the surface lies an unwavering determination to build his fashion brand and to do it his way. He is also determined not to let the 'Project Catwalk' opportunity slip through his gifted fingers. He graciously accepted to submit to The Luxe Chronicle's Q&A.
How, in concrete terms, has winning 'Project Catwalk' changed your life?
Well, for the first time, I'm working for myself. That's huge. I'm preparing my first collection under my own label, Jasper Garvida, for next Fall and I'm designing a dress for Shakira Caine (wife of British actor Michael Caine) who watched the show and loves my work. I would say that 'Project Catwalk' has changed a lot for me.
'Project Catwalk' is very good at building momentum and building the suspense around the finalists. In an interview shortly before the final episode, you said that you didn't want to let the people around you down, you wanted to make your family proud. Now that you've won the contest, do you still feel that way? Has the pressure lessened for you?
Well, winning the contest was really only the beginning. It takes time to develop a brand and to build a successful business. Winning 'Project Catwalk' gave me tremendous exposure which is a huge boost to any fledgling business and to some extent, it makes getting a bank loan easier. But the pressure is still there. I work from 6:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. I've always been the type of person to put pressure on myself. Now there is to some extent added pressure because I don't want to waste this tremendous opportunity.
It's one thing to be a talented fashion designer and it's another to build a successful fashion business. Navigating this transition is pretty tricky. Do you feel like you have the kind of support you need to manage that transition?
I now have proper direction for my business and I'm working on a business plan. I'm also looking for potential business partners. Ultimately, I want my own stores and I want to control my own brand development. That takes time.
Your designs are very intricate and elaborate. In many respects, your garments are almost closer in spirit to 'haute couture' than 'ready-to-wear'. Is that the direction in which you plan to grow your business?
I apply my talent. I don't want to place limits by defining myself as a 'couturier' or a 'high street' designer. I just want to make the clothing the best way I know how.
Your parents attended the finale and were there to witness your victory. Have they always been supportive of your career aspirations?
Well, I've never told anybody this but I actually lied to my parents about my career choice. Both my parents are professionals and I'm one of seven children - my sister speaks multiple languages, I have a brother who is a lawyer, one who is a doctor and one who is a computer analyst, etc., etc. I had always dreamt of studying at Central Saint-Martins and I was desperate to get to London. I felt like I couldn't tell them the truth so I told them that I wanted to come to London to study computer graphics. I kept up that pretense for two years and told them only much later.
How did your parents react when they learned the truth? Were they upset?
They were O.K. with it I think. I realized afterwards that as long as I'm O.K. and happy then my parents are O.K. with it.
During the'Project Catwalk' finale, you went to Spain to connect so-to-speak with Salvador Dali. What is it about Dali's work that you find so inspiring and how does that inspiration get channeled into your designs?
Gala Dali, the wife and muse of Salvador Dali, was the main inspiration for my 'Project Catwalk' collection. Surrealism had always been a great influence in my work. I had previously read a book on Gala Dali and was fascinated by her life and images of her surroundings. First I went to Barcelona where Gala and Salvador had their first secret rendevous and I was inspired by Gaudi's mosaic work. This translated into me using broken CDs in producing a textile for one of my dresses and belts. Then I continued onto Pubol, the home of Salvador and Gala. I was very much inspired by her life and the way she was portrayed by Dali. He described her as an egg, hard outside and soft inside. I applied this idea using a soft and hard combition. For example, I used hard material like shells and applied them on swing coats that moved softly.
What fashion designer, past or present, would you say had the greatest influence on your own work?
I have been influenced by Paul Poiret, the first designer who was inspired by cultural costumes and turned them into a modern fashionable design such as the kimono. Madeleine Vionnet because I love her eye for detail. I love the way she worked with fabrics. She always worked with the fabric not against it. Elsa Schiaparelli, who worked closely with Gala and Salvador Dali and was also very inspired by surrealism. Last but not least, Coco Chanel who was Gala's favourite designer also has been a great influence in her classic cut and her outlook on fashion.
The current 'fast fashion' trend seems to finally be waning - are you relieved to see fashion returning to more sustainable or durable format?
Fashion is about making a statement with a garment that expresses your personality. Fashion, at least for me, has never been about wearing something once and then throwing it away. I certainly don't approach it that way.
Thank you for submitting to this interview.
It was my pleasure! Thank you.
To see more of Jasper Garvida's beautiful designs, please visit Jasper Garvida.com. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Luxe Chronicles
A young Gala and Salvador Dali, photo unattributed; 'Galatea of the Spheres', Salvador Dali, 1951; Jasper Garvida, photo by The Luxe Chronicles.
well this is real artist
Posted by: rv dealer | Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 14:30