©Kobi Levi 2011

-Does designing under another brand put a slight hold on your creativity?

Not at all, to the contrary. I enjoy designing for other brands because the requirements are different and I need to be creative in  different way. When designing for a commercial line the focus is on the target customer, her needs and wants. Thinking in commercial terms does restrict the designs in some way, but I still have to be very  creative in order to innovate and create attractive designs that people would like to wear.

When working on my own designs, the only restriction is feasibility. That means, that if I can find a way to produce it – anything is possible. I don't think who will wear the design. It does not concern me at all. My only desire is to create it. If people like it later on – that's great!

©Kobi Levi

 

-Is it important to you to remain loyal to one design aesthetic - or do you believe that one needs constant change for growth?

©Kobi Levi 2000 Seen in Lady Gaga "Born This Way" Music Video

In many ways change comes whether we like it or not, so it's better to embrace it. Creativity is all about change and innovation. Each designer has his or her own style and character, so sometimes it seems like a specific approach is formed. I like to re-examine my boundaries all the time and cross them from time to time.

-Did you ever think by starting a blog hosting photographs of your shoe designs, would soon have your creations worn by Lady Gaga or any A-list celebrity for that matter? 

No. I did not expect the international exposure at all. It has grown beyond my wildest dreams.

When I first started to make these designs I didn't even think about selling them. They were for my own pleasure only.

-Which pair of shoes would you say you had the best time creating and would those be your favorite of your designs?

I can't choose between them.  Each time I start working on a new design I'm very excited and can't wait to complete it. The development and production process is very difficult and demanding, so I won't go through all of it for a design I don't really like. 

-Most of your designs are humorous, does that hurt or help your brand?

Humor has a big part in defining my work and me for that matter! I don't take myself too seriously, so I have fun with ideas first and then make them into footwear designs.

I see more than just humor in my designs. Each one has got its own story. I think humor is the best way to express an idea or a concept. People react to it with a smile.

-With all the awards won and the successful exhibitions you've been apart of in the past years - What would you say one or some of biggest achievements to date are?

The biggest achievement is witnessing the way my designs communicate with so many people, from kids to the elderly. Everything you mentioned is a reflection of that. 

-Can we expect a Kobi Levi flagship store in the near future?

I chose to hand-produce the styles in limited editions and stay true to the highest quality and design standards possible. I want the brand to grow slowly and to enjoy the working process. That's why I don't think about mass production or opening stores. If that happens later on, that's fine. But that is not my focus at the moment.

-What are some of your favorite pieces to design ?

The pieces I really love creating is my own handmade hats label. Designing these makes me feel free, shows myself , and my personal point of view.

-What is it with dark colors that make you use them so much ?

The dark is an intense color that reflects myself, it’s like a personal characteristic to me. I like to play with these colors and bring a dark side in all my creations.

-What made you get into designing hats and headdresses , and who would you love to see wearing one and what would you make for them ?

The hat is my fetish item, my passion has born from a necessity to realize unique pieces from my bizarre ideas. I’d love the idea to create a hat for Lady Gaga or Daphne Guinness, for sure it would be a special creation that represents their identity.

Alessandro Mengozzi head-piece on the cover of CLIENT Magazine

- Which artist do you draw a lot of inspiration from and who were they, did they design clothing themselves ?

In the fashion world my favourite artist is Haider Ackermann, I love his cuts and asymmetry, his vision of elegance but at the same time strict. He's really my hero.

Even far from Haider Ackermann's art, John Galliano was one of my hero. He influenced my fashion point of you, especially in the first working years. I hope to see his new works soon. The fashion world still needs him. I still regret Alexander McQueen's death. He was a teacher and an icon. I still love his brand, Sarah Burton is doing really well with the line still.

Photographer, Alessandro Vaudagna  Stylist, Federica Migliazza Hats, Alessandro Mengozzi

- What do you see to be really big in fashion in the next 5 years, and have you tried to catch onto them yourself ?

For sure Haider Ackermann will be a big one in the fashion world. He has already been defined the as “ The Next Yves Saint Laurent“. A successful future is waiting for him. Unfortunately I'm not in touch with him yet, but who knows, never say never !

- What do you like to work with most?

My favourite way to work is through handicraft and consequently creating my head gear from nothing. I often use poor and recycled materials as sand, paper, tar…and move them into art/fashion objects.

-What would you like men and women in your clothing to wear ideally as an everyday outfit ?

My ideal client doesn't care about comfort too much. The really fashion forward is uncomfortable and such will remain.

 

- If you can dress any person who would it be , and what does that person mean to you and the world or fashion or art ?

Daphne! She is my dream! ;)

- If you and an artist can design something who would the person be and what would you make ?

I'd love to work with Nick Knight, a collaboration with him and his work on showstudio.com , I really like his inverted and stereotyped vision of beauty. I feel myself not so far from his sense of what’s in vogue.

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

 

-Your models could remind someone of a 21 century Tina Chow , what kind of women do you like to dress ?

 I dress women who take risks with their way of dress. a woman who has a sense of adventure. 

-The Fall 2010 collection had a lot of edgy pieces being your first collections, how important was that collection to you in fully establishing yourself ?

I think that collection was crucial to my beginnings as a designer. I found that creating these capsules has been a sure way of putting myself and my design skills out there.

-Your “Sangre” Fall 2011 seems to play with hard and soft detailing. How do you make so many elements work so cohesively ?

There’s a necessary balance needed in creating clothes, I think as long as you are in control of your materials you can do as much as you want in a piece.  

Olima Atelier SS12 "Sangre"

Lady Gaga wearing Olima

-Is it different making something for Lady Gaga or anyone else on that level ?

It is for sure, there’s always more pressure on the designer to make sure what you make will impress your celebrity client and be worn on a larger stage.

-What roll has music played in your creations ?

Music plays a huge roll in what I do, its my endless source of inspiration.

-If you can dress anyone artist alive or dead , who would it be and what would you put them in ?

I think i would have loved to dress Marchesa Luisa Casati who was an amazing Italian socialite.

-The color black is pretty apparent along with nudes and creams , what do those mean you ?

I think its just the mood I was in at the time, I went through a phase where I only wanted to make black/dark clothing

-Who did you look up to growing up , did they have an affect on your fashion work today ?

I look up to my grandmother, one of the strongest woman I know. She taught me a lot about what I know and brought necessary wisdom into my work. 

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

www.olimaatelier.com

✝

Age : 19

Interests:
Capturing beautiful moments by photography, everything mysterious, dressing-up and feeling edgy for myself, listening to Chinese people talk in Chinese(I don't understand it, but it just sounds gorgeous), wandering.

Location:
Basically a small village in Korea and sometimes Seoul.

-What’s the fashion scene like in South Asia, and where are you from ?
In Korea, for teens: avant-garde, funky in general (in my opinion), grunge, dandy and just typical Asian cute ones.

-I noticed a lot of black pieces that you wear, is that a must have for you ?
 Not like a must have ,but I just naturally and unconsciously don't even take a look at colorful pieces when shopping.
 Black is just stable, simple but charming. I always try to make my outfits not to be boring although they're all black from head to toe.

-What’s different about traveling from New York To South Asia ?
I've only been to NYC through movies and books. From my experiences of vacations in other countries, even people's trivial behaviors are different. 
We tend not to be that out-going, talk about trivial things to strangers, and there are not that enough "cool" and huge vintage/thrift shops here.
 There are lots of select (multi) shops and most teens know quite well about designers' brands. It's cool but it's sometimes sad when they seem to prefer brands just because they're brands.





-What do you do in your spare time ?
Wandering with my cameras and iPod, hanging out with my friends, dancing, thinking, looking at the night sky!

-How do you pronounce your name ?
 Literally H + yo and in and bei. so, Hio-in Bei! my nickname is Hyoni though.

-

-What’s your take on American fashion ?
It's like a big rainbow to me. very various since it's the hugest multi cultural country. but whenever I think of American fashion, it makes me think of shorts, tanning and slippers first. sexy and liberal in general.

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

Read more »

©Kobi Levi 2011

-Does designing under another brand put a slight hold on your creativity?

Not at all, to the contrary. I enjoy designing for other brands because the requirements are different and I need to be creative in  different way. When designing for a commercial line the focus is on the target customer, her needs and wants. Thinking in commercial terms does restrict the designs in some way, but I still have to be very  creative in order to innovate and create attractive designs that people would like to wear.

When working on my own designs, the only restriction is feasibility. That means, that if I can find a way to produce it – anything is possible. I don't think who will wear the design. It does not concern me at all. My only desire is to create it. If people like it later on – that's great!

©Kobi Levi

 

-Is it important to you to remain loyal to one design aesthetic - or do you believe that one needs constant change for growth?

©Kobi Levi 2000 Seen in Lady Gaga "Born This Way" Music Video

In many ways change comes whether we like it or not, so it's better to embrace it. Creativity is all about change and innovation. Each designer has his or her own style and character, so sometimes it seems like a specific approach is formed. I like to re-examine my boundaries all the time and cross them from time to time.

-Did you ever think by starting a blog hosting photographs of your shoe designs, would soon have your creations worn by Lady Gaga or any A-list celebrity for that matter? 

No. I did not expect the international exposure at all. It has grown beyond my wildest dreams.

When I first started to make these designs I didn't even think about selling them. They were for my own pleasure only.

-Which pair of shoes would you say you had the best time creating and would those be your favorite of your designs?

I can't choose between them.  Each time I start working on a new design I'm very excited and can't wait to complete it. The development and production process is very difficult and demanding, so I won't go through all of it for a design I don't really like. 

-Most of your designs are humorous, does that hurt or help your brand?

Humor has a big part in defining my work and me for that matter! I don't take myself too seriously, so I have fun with ideas first and then make them into footwear designs.

I see more than just humor in my designs. Each one has got its own story. I think humor is the best way to express an idea or a concept. People react to it with a smile.

-With all the awards won and the successful exhibitions you've been apart of in the past years - What would you say one or some of biggest achievements to date are?

The biggest achievement is witnessing the way my designs communicate with so many people, from kids to the elderly. Everything you mentioned is a reflection of that. 

-Can we expect a Kobi Levi flagship store in the near future?

I chose to hand-produce the styles in limited editions and stay true to the highest quality and design standards possible. I want the brand to grow slowly and to enjoy the working process. That's why I don't think about mass production or opening stores. If that happens later on, that's fine. But that is not my focus at the moment.

-What are some of your favorite pieces to design ?

The pieces I really love creating is my own handmade hats label. Designing these makes me feel free, shows myself , and my personal point of view.

-What is it with dark colors that make you use them so much ?

The dark is an intense color that reflects myself, it’s like a personal characteristic to me. I like to play with these colors and bring a dark side in all my creations.

-What made you get into designing hats and headdresses , and who would you love to see wearing one and what would you make for them ?

The hat is my fetish item, my passion has born from a necessity to realize unique pieces from my bizarre ideas. I’d love the idea to create a hat for Lady Gaga or Daphne Guinness, for sure it would be a special creation that represents their identity.

Alessandro Mengozzi head-piece on the cover of CLIENT Magazine

- Which artist do you draw a lot of inspiration from and who were they, did they design clothing themselves ?

In the fashion world my favourite artist is Haider Ackermann, I love his cuts and asymmetry, his vision of elegance but at the same time strict. He's really my hero.

Even far from Haider Ackermann's art, John Galliano was one of my hero. He influenced my fashion point of you, especially in the first working years. I hope to see his new works soon. The fashion world still needs him. I still regret Alexander McQueen's death. He was a teacher and an icon. I still love his brand, Sarah Burton is doing really well with the line still.

Photographer, Alessandro Vaudagna  Stylist, Federica Migliazza Hats, Alessandro Mengozzi

- What do you see to be really big in fashion in the next 5 years, and have you tried to catch onto them yourself ?

For sure Haider Ackermann will be a big one in the fashion world. He has already been defined the as “ The Next Yves Saint Laurent“. A successful future is waiting for him. Unfortunately I'm not in touch with him yet, but who knows, never say never !

- What do you like to work with most?

My favourite way to work is through handicraft and consequently creating my head gear from nothing. I often use poor and recycled materials as sand, paper, tar…and move them into art/fashion objects.

-What would you like men and women in your clothing to wear ideally as an everyday outfit ?

My ideal client doesn't care about comfort too much. The really fashion forward is uncomfortable and such will remain.

 

- If you can dress any person who would it be , and what does that person mean to you and the world or fashion or art ?

Daphne! She is my dream! ;)

- If you and an artist can design something who would the person be and what would you make ?

I'd love to work with Nick Knight, a collaboration with him and his work on showstudio.com , I really like his inverted and stereotyped vision of beauty. I feel myself not so far from his sense of what’s in vogue.

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

 

-Your models could remind someone of a 21 century Tina Chow , what kind of women do you like to dress ?

 I dress women who take risks with their way of dress. a woman who has a sense of adventure. 

-The Fall 2010 collection had a lot of edgy pieces being your first collections, how important was that collection to you in fully establishing yourself ?

I think that collection was crucial to my beginnings as a designer. I found that creating these capsules has been a sure way of putting myself and my design skills out there.

-Your “Sangre” Fall 2011 seems to play with hard and soft detailing. How do you make so many elements work so cohesively ?

There’s a necessary balance needed in creating clothes, I think as long as you are in control of your materials you can do as much as you want in a piece.  

Olima Atelier SS12 "Sangre"

Lady Gaga wearing Olima

-Is it different making something for Lady Gaga or anyone else on that level ?

It is for sure, there’s always more pressure on the designer to make sure what you make will impress your celebrity client and be worn on a larger stage.

-What roll has music played in your creations ?

Music plays a huge roll in what I do, its my endless source of inspiration.

-If you can dress anyone artist alive or dead , who would it be and what would you put them in ?

I think i would have loved to dress Marchesa Luisa Casati who was an amazing Italian socialite.

-The color black is pretty apparent along with nudes and creams , what do those mean you ?

I think its just the mood I was in at the time, I went through a phase where I only wanted to make black/dark clothing

-Who did you look up to growing up , did they have an affect on your fashion work today ?

I look up to my grandmother, one of the strongest woman I know. She taught me a lot about what I know and brought necessary wisdom into my work. 

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

www.olimaatelier.com

✝

Age : 19

Interests:
Capturing beautiful moments by photography, everything mysterious, dressing-up and feeling edgy for myself, listening to Chinese people talk in Chinese(I don't understand it, but it just sounds gorgeous), wandering.

Location:
Basically a small village in Korea and sometimes Seoul.

-What’s the fashion scene like in South Asia, and where are you from ?
In Korea, for teens: avant-garde, funky in general (in my opinion), grunge, dandy and just typical Asian cute ones.

-I noticed a lot of black pieces that you wear, is that a must have for you ?
 Not like a must have ,but I just naturally and unconsciously don't even take a look at colorful pieces when shopping.
 Black is just stable, simple but charming. I always try to make my outfits not to be boring although they're all black from head to toe.

-What’s different about traveling from New York To South Asia ?
I've only been to NYC through movies and books. From my experiences of vacations in other countries, even people's trivial behaviors are different. 
We tend not to be that out-going, talk about trivial things to strangers, and there are not that enough "cool" and huge vintage/thrift shops here.
 There are lots of select (multi) shops and most teens know quite well about designers' brands. It's cool but it's sometimes sad when they seem to prefer brands just because they're brands.





-What do you do in your spare time ?
Wandering with my cameras and iPod, hanging out with my friends, dancing, thinking, looking at the night sky!

-How do you pronounce your name ?
 Literally H + yo and in and bei. so, Hio-in Bei! my nickname is Hyoni though.

-

-What’s your take on American fashion ?
It's like a big rainbow to me. very various since it's the hugest multi cultural country. but whenever I think of American fashion, it makes me think of shorts, tanning and slippers first. sexy and liberal in general.

INTERVIEW BY DARREN C. FRETT

Read more »