Juan Pablo Espínola: Redefining Fashion with Bold Futurism. Discover the inimitable world of Juan Pablo Espínola, a Chilean-born designer making waves in the fashion capital of Antwerp. Fresh from his studies at the esteemed Royal Academy Antwerp, Espínola presents his latest collection, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream,” drawing inspiration from Harlan Ellison’s seminal work.
This daring collection fuses body deformation, unconventional materials, and striking colour palettes to create a thought-provoking and visually captivating aesthetic.
Espínola’s designs boast sharp, angular silhouettes that echo the mechanical essence of the cyborg, inviting us to consider our relationship with machines and technology. In a bold exploration of the boundaries between art and fashion, he challenges traditional norms, pushing the envelope of innovation.
Follow @juanpabloespinolag for a glimpse into the world of this visionary designer, as he redefines the fashion landscape with his mesmerizing creations.
KALTBLUT: Tell me how you first became interested in fashion; and why you decided to become a fashion designer.
As a person, I always felt so out of the world of looking at something and finding it nice, attractive or interesting. I think I have no confidence at all in a lot of things. And maybe until this day, I feel like this.
But I do like the feeling of having something to say about it, and always proposing something new; I like to be part of the conversation in those terms only, never losing the outsider feeling in my mind.
KALTBLUT: Tell me a little bit about your journey that led to you releasing your new collection.
To be honest, I don’t really like looking back at it.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe your style and fashion?
I just like to see the process of designing something with a different approach.
I enjoy a lot the creation, pure creation. Some people at school joke about me saying that includes a bit of madness, but I would say there’s a method to the madness.
I would also say my process is more related to an architectural process. I never really think about fashion, trends, or a garment-feeling. That is not my starting point. I like to think how I can make things both astonishing and challenging.
KALTBLUT: Are there any fashion icons who inspire your design?
There are no fashion icons that inspire my design or my path. It is just to make my own living and the first ideas of my brain tend to be extremely abstract, but I must say that I really like Japanese designers.
KALTBLUT: What would you say makes your design stand out against other brands?
I think during my life I have gotten into a lot of unnecessary problems due to just having a spirit of going against the run of the mill, the normal way of doing things and questioning authority, but at the same time, I don’t consider myself a rebel.
I think that contradiction is visible in my designs.
KALTBLUT: Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
I just do my normal work and everyday life. I love routine, and I love to wake up early and stay late on repeat. I like to be involved as much as I can in everything of what I do. And to be honest, that routine I find it really inspiring. It makes you question and try to see how on your work you can do something new every day. I like to work.
KALTBLUT: What advice would you give to people who want to experiment more with the clothes they wear?
I don’t give advice.
KALTBLUT: What are your favourite pieces from your collection?
I don’t think I have a favourite piece, but I like the feeling of the collection of limiting the movement of the body, that the body is transformed and corrupted.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe the local fashion scene/industry in your home town/country?
I come from Chile, so I would say there’s an aim to claim our local identity and show our skills in our fabrics and slow-made process, respecting the communities and the Earth. I respect the people who are trying to preserve those skills a lot.
KALTBLUT: What does being an independent designer mean to you?
Freedom.
KALTBLUT: If your brand was ice cream, what flavours would it be?
Pistacchio, because I just like it. No hidden message behind my choosing that.
KALTBLUT: What was the last music track you listened to?
I just heard ‘Thursday’ by Asobi Seksu.
KALTBLUT: Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
I am working hard to stick around and to have a future in fashion. I am reading every book I can, and I am willing to take all the time I need to be able to learn and to be ready. Maybe I will never be ready, but now I am trying to expand my work and my vision so it can reach the right people. More of me will come for sure.
Designer is Juan Pablo Espínola @juanpabloespinolag
Photography by Matías Batallé @mawbau
Model is Alena Silchenko @silychee
Produced by Studio 63 @studio63.be
