Jonathan Anderson, a Northern Irish designer and founder of JW Anderson, shares insights on the intersection of beauty and imperfection. He discusses how personal experiences shape his creative process, revealing that his feelings of self-doubt fuel his quest for romance in fashion. Anderson also highlights the influence of art, specifically how painters like Francis Bacon inspire his work in film costume design. The conversation touches on the pressure of the fashion industry and the importance of authenticity in storytelling.
Jonathan Anderson sees imperfection as a catalyst for beauty, highlighting how personal flaws can inspire creativity and romance in fashion.
The designer adopts a minimalist uniform style to free mental space, allowing him to focus on the diverse creative expressions in his work.
Anderson emphasizes the transformative power of fashion as a means to assert individuality, stemming from his upbringing in a conformist Northern Ireland.
Deep dives
The Power of Personal Style
Personal style plays a significant role in expressing one's identity, as highlighted by a designer's experiences growing up. He emphasizes that clothing can serve as a canvas for individual expression, reflecting a deeper understanding of who we are. The speaker recalls a transformative moment in his teens when he wore striking clothing, marking the first real connection to fashion's power. This experience sparked a desire to explore and push boundaries in clothing, as he recognized its ability to convey identity and provoke thought in others.
Uniformity and Creative Freedom
The concept of uniformity in personal attire is discussed as a tool for fostering creativity in design. The designer reveals his preference for a uniformed approach to dressing, which allows him the mental space to ideate and creatively express through his work. This consistent personal style contrasts sharply with the romantic and varied designs he creates for others. By adopting a minimalist, repetitive wardrobe, he believes he can channel his energy into the design process, acting as a 'blank canvas' for his creative projects.
Challenges of Growing Up in a Divisive Environment
Growing up in Northern Ireland during a tumultuous period has significantly influenced the designer's perspective on identity and fashion. He reflects on the necessity of expressing individuality amid a conformist culture deeply affected by socio-political strife. The speaker’s early experiences with fashion stood in stark contrast to the traditional values of his rural upbringing, highlighting fashion's transformative power. This backdrop contributed to a desire to escape confines and explore creativity, pushing him to embrace unique fashions that could challenge societal norms.
Recognition and the Impermanence of Success
The nature of recognition in the fashion industry, particularly regarding awards, is addressed as a double-edged sword. While acknowledging the importance of awards as validation for creative efforts, he admits that they provide fleeting satisfaction, quickly replaced by the next project. The designer stresses a mindset of constant evolution, emphasizing that creativity should never feel complete and that the drive to innovate is paramount. This perspective encourages him to focus on the growth and breadth of contribution rather than resting on past accolades.
Collaboration and Staying Grounded
The significance of collaboration in fashion and the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive team are explored. The designer maintains that fostering a creative environment relies on collaboration among skilled individuals who challenge and energize one another. He mentions the value of avoiding complacency by inviting constructive criticism and new ideas into his design process. This collaborative spirit helps maintain freshness in his work and keeps the creative journey dynamic, revealing a commitment to continuous improvement and artistic exploration.
Jonathan Anderson is a Northern Irish designer. He founded his eponymous label JW Anderson in 2008 and has, gone on to become one of the most prolific and highly, regarded people in world of high fashion. He is the Creative Director of the Spanish luxury goods brand Loewe. He also creates extremely successful collaborations with the high street, brand Uniqlo. He has been working with the film maker Luca Guadagnino, creating costumes for the director’s last two films ‘Challengers’ with Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, and ‘Queer’ starring Daniel Craig. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Jonathan Anderson and Bella Freud discuss perfection and how his own feeling of imperfection is a driver to create beauty and romance for others; how he finds his references in art for the film costumes he has created; and how attractive and sexy it is when someone is able to draw.