Text, Carey Zamarriego, Contributing Writer
Edited by Vivian Kelly
Toni Francesc
GARUDÀ AW 11
*Cute anecdote: One of the security guards at the front mentioned that Toni Francesc tried to enter the show through the front entrance, saying “look, that’s me, there is my name” (pointing to ‘Toni Francesc’ written on the wall) and had to be told to go to the backstage area.*
Our general impression of Toni: very warm, friendly, playful and gracious.
The Backstage pre-Show Interview:
The Fashion Examiner: The inspiration for your collection was the mythical Phoenix (a bird which, every 500 years, rises from its ashes anew), where did this source of inspiration come from? A trip to India? A story? A photo
Toni Francesc: It can be said to be Indonesian. It does have its roots in Asia, but this is not an Asian collection. It is inspired by the idea of rebirth, of coming back from ashes, from fire.
TheFE: Your collection is about renewal, is it also a commentary on the state of the world now after the crisis?
Toni Francesc: Exactly, mainly for me, because it is something I am living and experiencing. I refer to everything that surrounds me in my clothes. Spain is in a tough situation and all of us need to emerge and experience a rebirth, a renewal, from these moments of ash.
TheFE: At the time of creating your collection, do you think about trends and Pantone colors, or do you do whatever you want?
Toni Francesc: I believe that inspiration comes from other places. I don’t search out trends. If anything, I need to create them. Generally, I look at things outside of the world of fashion; that is where I am inspired more. Everything around me is reflected in my clothes. For Artificial Life, two collections ago (AW 2010), I met with a group of friends through Facebook, while we were having dinner, everyone wasn’t interacting with each other, but with others via technology, we didn’t experience the moment. It’s this; playing with simple moments and arriving at their complexity that I like to do.
TheFE: This is your fourth time showing at NYFW, how does it feel compared to the first time?
Toni Francesc: Ah, yes (giggles). I feel the same as the first time; really THIS is the first time. The nerves are always there, usually I appear to be very calm, but the nerves and my stomach are turning on the inside. But everything is under control and I hope it goes well.
TheFE: You and Custo are two Catalan designers showing at NYFW. Do you find any similarities in your designs? And are you two friends?
Toni Francesc: Friends-friends, no, but we do know each other and I really admire the work Custo does, he has been working hard for a long time. But our styles are very different.
TheFE: Finish these sentences:
What I like most about NY is…(the city and the people).
What I miss most about Barcelona is…(my family, but I brought them to NY, that little boy who just ran up to us is my son).
*Toni also brought along his wife and mother.*
The Collection/Show- Highlights
Started with a striking redhead wearing a trench, skirt and animal print top.
Animal print cocktail dress with a wrap leather belt (my favorite!!)
Elaborate backless silk jumpsuits in gray and orange.
Mixing silk with wool and leather. (ie: silk orange top with gray pants)
Silk pieces that looked like watercolors with splashes of deep reds, maroon, oranges and gray.
Trends:
- Wide leg pants (black with backless high neck silk top)
- Bright red lipstick on the models (also gave the crowd L.I/P Cream from Mehron in Big Apple red).
- Wool jacket, trenches and dresses with bottons to bring in a bit of a military feel.
- Gold leaf belts with gray wool dress and also skirts.
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