Paul Aaron Collins
From London, student at the Central Saint Martin. He is the owner of his own knitwear brand which is focused on fluidity. Paul Aaron talks more about how emotion is a source of inspiration and how fashion blurring more and more the lines of gender. Imblued with the London style, Paul still wants to use bright colors in his creation to catch our eyes and make reflected happiness more than darkness.
Where your inspiration come from?
I'm super inspired by emotions. I'm a very emotional person inside, i come across as very stubborn, i always have my guard up- it's the way I've always been. But I follow my emotions really well and know how to control them a lot of the time; as cliché as it is, I'm always referencing my home, my growing up/ childhood.
I use memories as a guide and subtly introduce hints of them into my concepts. I don't have many fond memories growing up but I always make sure they fit in with my ideas. I like to make things more happy- and less dark.
What kind of customers are your targeting with your brand?
I'm a big believer in fluidity. I think that if you like it - wear it. It's more about how you feel in a garment than anything else. I come from a place where everyone is super judgemental especially if you look the slightest bit different, people don't get that being different is completely acceptable. A lot of my wearable garments are more so targeted towards the youth of today, I also like to throw some hints of 90's toys and tack in the mix. My mum's house is a constant clash of prints and textures- nothing is supposed to really go together, but she doesn't care. I think that's where i get my attitude for design from, i'll throw things together because i like it, and that's a valid enough reason for me!
Do you consider yourself as a transformist?
Most definitely. I think that we all transform at some point in our life- for various reasons. We never stay the same, we learn, grow and change from experience, lifestyle, friends.. Change is a powerful thing, and everyone should feel and become the person they want to be.
Do you think that we entering in a new era of fashion? The desire of break the code of an “oppressive” society is a revolution for you?
I feel that fashion is always pushing forwards regarding blurring the lines of gender, creating an all inclusive future for our youth. We as a community are still striving to make the world a better place and being oppressive is sometimes the only way to make a real statement, to provoke change amongst society because some people's beliefs and way of thinking is still so backwards that we have to push forwards and be the change we want to see in tomorrow's world.
Is provocation being a part of your art/creation?
Not necessarily. I don't think I provoke with my crochet. but i do think that you'll either love it or hate it- it's not to everyone's taste.
Does the use of particular colors and materials play a key role in your work?
Oh, definitely! Colour is a huge part of my process, as a knitwear designer I'm always thinking of colour ways before the design process even begins. - i don't think my garments would have much effect if they were all muted tones. But working with no colour just means you have to focus more on something else like silhouettes/texture or embroidery. Material wise, if I'm not crocheting or using knit i like something really tacky. I use trashbags a lot, I've used Christmas wrapping paper to make a garment... anything that catches my eye.
What is your definition of freedom?
Living as your authentic self, with nothing to hide- no secrets, everything out in the open. That's true freedom.
courtesy PAUL AARON COLLINS
interview LEA LARCHOUANY
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