Style in the DNA.

Interview: Ètienne

Up and coming Australian street designer Ètienne Crea the founder and creative director of uniquely brilliant Ètienne, explains his genius and hopes for the future.

At first glance, Ètienne is strikingly attractive, and when you discover that the twenty three year old is the very definition of "hands-on", you realize that there's more to this Melbourne native than ironic prints. Despite being a baby in the fashion industry, it's blatant to see that Ètienne has the drive and determination for iconic status.

Ètienne is relatively new to us, how long as the brand been around?

Although I have been working on it for a couple of years, I officially launched in October. 

What was it that first inspired you to design? Or has it always been innate?

It is something that has always come naturally to me; I guess you could say it’s in my DNA.

How would you describe your creative process?

I begin with a single element that I explore all aspects of. From my research I start to build a concept for my collection. Although at times it can evolve into something beyond what I had originally intended.

Your work is exceptionaly unique, who/what are you influenced by?

I’m obsessed with low culture, glitzy counterfeit/bootleg merchandise, and kitsch art. I guess to me, what glitters is always gold. I’m also very influenced by the avant-garde artwork of Andy Warhol. He was a visionary and an artistic genius. When it comes to fashion, I believe Gianni Versace was a trailblazer. I love his designs, specifically his opulent textiles. 

How hands on are you with the brand?

I design the garments and textiles independently. Then digital printing, pattern making and manufacturing are all outsourced locally, where I can collaborate closely with the workers.

What's the best part about what you do?

I thoroughly enjoy anything I get to be creative in, however there’s nothing better then the design process.

And downside?

The logistical side of running a business tends to get a little tedious, but it’s all a part of the operation.

In terms of the future of your brand, what do you hope to achieve?

To one day be globally recognised as an iconic brand. 

What are you currently working on, and what's the next step for the brand?

At the moment I’m in the process of developing my next collection. In the mean time I’m focusing on expanding the buzz on this one. I worked very hard on it, so I want to give it the recognition it deserves.

Do you have any predictions of what will trending next year?

I honestly don’t get too caught up in trends. Don’t get me wrong, they can be great, and they drive the industry, but they do have an expiry date, however someone’s intrinsic style doesn’t. I’m more interested in people focusing on expressing their individuality.

And on a personal level, how do you spend your free time, when you're not busy working?

In my leisure time I enjoy jogging, watching television and drinking with friends.

Want to purchase any of this fabulous gear? Simply head over to etienneclothibg.com and check out entire range.

Alexander Wang + H&M = Sportswear Chic

H&M is without a doubt, one of my top ten stores. You really can't go wrong in there, great price and incredible style, that seems to be orated way quicker than any other high street store, meaning my pockets are left empty, but my wardrobe is bulging.

One of the great things about H&M is their collaborations. Every time I see who they've lined up to collaborate with, I automatically yell "How the hell?!" I even begin to plan how I'm  going to save up to buy the new pieces and how I'm going to best the other crazy bitches who are dying for some Lanvin, Stella McCartney and Versace, to name a few. 

Alexander Wang is the current H&M collaborator. Wang is already a genius in the fashion stakes. His stunningly sexy, midnight blue dress that donned the body of the gorgeous Dakota Johnson, was like a bad girl's fairytale dream. Being not the most sporty woman in the world, I still crave sportswear, for day-to-day life, but left face it, it's hardly ever attractive, until the wonderful Mr Wang met H&M. His collection is simple, yet affective. Greys, blacks, whites and pinches of blue, put together with a cutting edge version of 80's style gym gear, to make you put the hot in to and sweaty.

In a recent interview with Elle (UK) magazine, Wang described his collaboration in five words; Urban, unprecious, technical, accessible and fun. I can't help but think that the height of the Olympics in 2012 has inspired his range. We now see sportsmen and women as icons, and why should we? They're incredible at what they do, they're normal, humble, down to earth people and they're great role models - Thiugh they do make us lazy ones feel, well... lazy. 

It fair to say, the most sport I'll be taking part in, is running to the nearest H&M that stocks this game changing range, or perhaps this collaboration will inspire me to work out?

(images belong to Alexander Wang - they do not belong to me).

Take care of you.

As the mother of an angel, I cannot stress how important it is to have someone to talk to. Whether it be a counsellor, an advisor or another mother who has been/going through the same thing. Many people struggle to open up and talk, but what happens to all the pent up frustration? It gets taken out on your nearest and dearest.

Losing a child is the hardest thing in the world and although it becomes easier to live with, the pain is still an unbearable feeling and the knowing that you have to spend a lifetime feeling that pain, makes you feel emotionally drained. When my besutiful Scarlett passed away, she was two weeks old. A baby with a lot of complications, and none that could be fixed without damaging other organs, which already had problems.

I made the decision to end her medication and we took her to a childrn's hospice where she and I spent the last fourteen hours of her life, behaving like a normal mummy and daughter, despite the foreboding future. Scarlett passed away in my arms as she lay sleeping. It's been just over two years and there isn't an hour go by that she doesn't come into my mind.

I'm filled with a ton of emotional memories when it comes to my baby girl, but in a bittersweet way, I'm glad to have them, they're proof that she existed and proof that despite her absence, I am a mum. I fortunately had a wonderful counseling service, that just ended last month. Over the last two years, Karen, my counsellor, has been like a rock. Sure, I could vent on my family and partner, but sometimes you need a new face and a new opinion to help you deal with your darkest thoughts.

I tried only once to take my own life, by taking a too many antidepressants, I was fortunate that I didn't take enough to do any harm to myself, and the possibility of looming death made me think of the devastation I would inflict on those I love. Aside from that, I found release it cutting my arms. If things got too unbearable, like being in a crowded elevator of emotion and worry, I would grab my secret scissors and reelardly scratch my arm until it bled and swelled. My arm would hurt for days afterwards but the pain stopped me from thinking about anything else.

This self infliction has become less and less, the act of opening up and talking helped some of the emotion out of that crowded elevator. Sometimes it creeps back in and almost always causes a panic attack, but I am much more able to control my emotions and my behaviour.

I worried that after my sessions with Karen ended, that I would go back to my self-harming ways but I've found that still communication with others, other women who have been through the same, is the best way to clear your mind. Sometimes there's nothing more reassuring than hearing someone say "Me too". Below are a list of links for sites that offer counselling and message boards.

• https://www.uk-sands.org/

• http://www.tcf.org.uk/

• http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

• http://www.samaritans.org/