Fashionclash#11 – Introducing Italian fashion designer Fabio Bigondi with an interview. All photos by Pasarella Photography! I am in love with Fabio Bigondi’s collection: Sons of Guns! Synthetic knitwear covering faces and bodies in striking shades of brown to pink. Modern streetwear from Italy. The young designer was born and grew up in the suburbs of Bologna. Every collection for him is a means of communication, a way to convey what he thinks of the world in which we live in! I had a chat with the designer about his work.
Name: Fabio Bigondi Age: 24 Hometown: Bologna, italy Menswear or Womenswear: Menswear www.instagram.com/slymepunch / www.facebook.com/fabio.bigondi
KALTBLUT: Fashion – Makes Sense ?? What does this means to you?
Regarding my work, I do my best to send a message through the garments, they have to tell a story. Fashion is my way to raise my voice and talk about what I see in the world, and what I would like to change. So it has to makes sense.
KALTBLUT: Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival?
This decision was born as I’ve watched the festival several times, thinking I wanted to be apart of it. Once I’ve felt I was ready, I applied. It’s such a great opportunity to exchange ideas and be inspired by others with the same passion of mine.
I’ve always loved how FCF gives young designers the chance to show their work. They let you express your art and you’re totally free. I wanted to show everyone this collection as I thought it exposes my style and taste 100%.
KALTBLUT: Can you tell us something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2019? What was your inspiration?
This collection is about weapons and guns. I’ve been inspired by the work of the photographer Richard Mosse. He photographed war scenes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but he used a infrared film which totally changed the look of these raw images and made them look beautiful.
My collection tells the same story. Today many people sees guns as something positive and necessary, something Manly and powerful. I wanted to ironize on that and expose this issue that is becoming more dangerous day by day.
My goal was also to compare cultures that wants to be different from each other, and show that they are the exact same on this issue. I mixed the American street-style, with middle east’s tradition, using military equipment to tie them.
KALTBLUT: What kind of material did you used for the collection?
This collection is based on contrasts. It goes from rough fabrics like leather, canvas, cotton to the most fancy ones, synthetic knitwear, iridescent nylon and printed jersey.
Knitwear is a masterpiece of this collection, I’ve used this furry, shiny nylon yarns to create bodysuits and to cover inflatable rifles. Prints are another focus, I created different variations of my own version of camouflage, on cotton, canvas, nylon and even on caps and bandanas. All jewels, chains, buckets and embroideries are realized with 3D printer, made of PLA, a biodegradable filament.
KALTBLUT: What challenges did you face during the design process?
This has been my graduation collection and it has been a huge challenge to me to take it this far. When I decided to apply to FCF I wanted to start with something new, but I never gave up the idea of reinventing Sons of Guns. And that’s exactly what I did. I took the garments and I worked hard to elevate them to a higher level.
The study of the concept is always the most itense part of the process. I always do a lot of research before I pick my inspiration, as I said, it always has to make sense. Since I’ve started working on Sons of Guns, I’ve never stop thinking about it., make changes, adjustments, and I’m still doing it right now. But that’s how I can see myself growing through my collection and that’s very rewarding.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe your self and your work?
I literally have two opposites living inside me and so as my work. I love to shock people with impactful designs but, at the same time, I like to make them think about it and give their own interpretation of it. Even if sometimes it’s hard to get the meaning of a collection at a first look, it is crucial for me not to give too many tools to let people understand. I think fashion never has to me too obvious, and I’m not referring just on clothes, but to the whole atmosphere of a fashion show.
I’m deeply convinced that fashion, just like every form of art, should express not only ourselves as designers, but also as people who lives in a specific space and time and who has many opinions about that.
KALTBLUT: What would you say that is the biggest influence to your design process?
Since I was a child I’ve always been attracted from African culture. It is something that always follow me in each collection I make, even when I’m not thinking or doing research about it. Ethnic costumes and objects, are always one of the first things I think about when I start to develop a collection. As I said, I’m very focused on actuality, wars, poverty, social issues, that is always my starting point, to choose cause to help further. The goal is to break barriers, make people think about certain themes that are not specifically related to fashion.
KALTBLUT: If you had not become a fashion designer, what would you do instead?
I’m very passionate of graphics in every single way, not only fashion. That is also something I’m still working and discovering through my designs. I would definitely be a graphic designer. I’ve always wanted to be a wrestler as well, but I don’t see myself doing it in this life.
KALTBLUT: Who’s your dream client?
Jaden Smith, Wizkid, Billy Porter, H.E.R. and many artist from Afropunk Festival’s scene.
KALTBLUT: What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?
I think it was a knots dress for a doll, and I was 5 years old.
KALTBLUT: What can we expect from you in near future?
Creativity is always about learning and evolving to me. I’m planning to do a master very soon, to improve my skills and define my style even more. Maybe then I’ll be ready to start my own business with a brand. I’m also planning to start my own line of accessories, inspired by this collection. It’s a new project I’m so excited about and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
all photos by
Pasarella Photography, www.pasarella.eu
Instagram: @pasarella @pasarellaphoto
www.fashionclash.nl
