My life as an outsider | Hussein Chalayan

Summary

The speaker, a designer in the fashion industry, shares their unique journey as an 'outsider' blending art and commerce. They discuss their diverse projects, from biannual Paris shows to installations in galleries and museums. The script touches on themes of separation, displacement, and the evolution of life's pace, exploring creative expressions in fashion, film, and technology. Highlighting dualities and the immigrant experience within various disciplines, the speaker showcases how embracing the outsider perspective can lead to innovative and inspiring outcomes.

Takeaways

• 👗 The speaker is a designer in the fashion industry who also embodies the art world, creating a unique fusion of disciplines and cultures in their work.
• 🎨 They have the freedom to be an 'immigrant' within various disciplines, which allows them to embrace dualities in life and work.
• 🏠 A childhood picture at age 11 signifies the roots of their 'outsider' status, showing early interests in technology, design, and the world of women.
• 📝 The AML clothing series represents a creative response to the feeling of separation, allowing a dress to be a token of presence or absence.
• 👗 The idea of 'future archaeology' is explored through a dress covered in iron filings and buried, later dug up to show its acquired life and value.
• 🛋️ The concept of displacement and the need to move quickly in times of war led to the transformation of furniture for efficient transportation.
• 🎥 A film meditates on the themes of moving, isolation, and the speed of life, from body movement to consumption and economy.
• 👠 The 'Swift shoe' project with Puma is an example of how a single thought can manifest in different forms: gallery, fashion show, and commercial product.
• 🕊️ The speaker's upbringing by women influences their fashion philosophy, aiming to empower women and avoid objectification.
• 🎵 Music is a significant source of inspiration, with its profound impact surpassing that of visual arts.
• 🤖 Technological fascination from childhood led to the creation of 'bionic dresses' that move on their own, reflecting on the impact of the environment and societal changes on body imagery.

Q & A

What is the speaker's professional background and how does it relate to their identity as an outsider?

The speaker works in the fashion industry as a designer, organizing biannual shows in Paris and managing their own temporary spaces. Despite being commercially successful, they also engage in artistic activities such as filmmaking and installations, which positions them as an outsider within the fashion industry, allowing them to fuse different disciplines and cultures.

How did the speaker's childhood in Cyprus influence their work?

The speaker's childhood in Cyprus, particularly their interest in technology, design, and the world of women, as seen in their room at age 11, laid the foundation for their unique approach to design and art, which includes embracing dualities and fusing unlikely worlds.

What is the significance of the AML clothing series mentioned in the script?

The AML clothing series is a conceptual piece where dresses can be written on, sprayed with perfume, worn, washed, and even sent to loved ones. It represents a token of absence or presence, allowing the dress to carry personal messages and scents.

How did the speaker's experience of separation during childhood influence their work?

The speaker's experience of separation from their mother at a young age, when they were sent to a boarding school in England, influenced their work by inspiring the creation of the AML clothing series, which serves as a tangible way to express and deal with the feeling of separation.

What is the concept behind the dress covered in iron filings and buried in the ground?

The dress covered in iron filings and buried in the ground is an exploration of how a garment can acquire its own life and become a piece of 'future archaeology.' It represents the idea that an object with value today could be part of an archaeological archive in the future.

Can you explain the project 'Fore, name, M, you, so' and its relation to war and displacement?

The project 'Fore, name, M, you, so' is a reflection on the need to move quickly during times of war and the displacement it causes. It involves transforming furniture into forms that can be easily carried away, symbolizing the urgency and necessity of preserving one's possessions during conflict.

What is the theme of the film that starts in London and ends in the Bossus?

The film is a meditation on the theme of movement and isolation, exploring the journey from London to Istanbul and ending in the Bossus, which divides Asia and Europe. It highlights the emotional and psychological impact of displacement and constant movement.

How does the speaker's work reflect the impact of speed on modern life?

The speaker's work, particularly the project starting with a crystallized moment of a crash, reflects on the impact of speed on modern life, including the speed of the body, consumption, and the economy. It examines the consequences and inertia created by the rapid pace of contemporary society.

What is the concept behind the 'Swift shoe' and how does it relate to the theme of speed?

The 'Swift shoe' is a commercial product developed in collaboration with Puma, embodying the theme of speed. It is a tangible expression of the idea that one thought can manifest in various forms, from a gallery environment to a fashion show and as an accessible, usable product.

How does the speaker's upbringing by women influence their fashion designs?

The speaker's upbringing by women has led them to focus on empowering women through their fashion designs. They aim to project a self-confident woman who is not an object and does not need to hide behind clothes, reflecting a strong and independent feminine image.

What is the significance of the 'Peeping lady' in the speaker's work?

The 'Peeping lady' represents a figure who, although hiding behind clothes, is merged with the folds in the garments, symbolizing the complex relationship between women, clothing, and self-expression. It challenges the traditional notion of women hiding behind their attire and instead shows a powerful and integrated presence.

How does the speaker's fascination with technology since childhood influence their current projects?

The speaker's childhood fascination with technology, sparked by the Bionic Man, has led them to create innovative projects such as the 'bionic dresses' that can move on their own. This reflects their ongoing interest in exploring the apparent impossibilities of technology and its impact on the body's image.

What does the speaker mean by being an 'immigrant within different disciplines'?

Being an 'immigrant within different disciplines' means that the speaker has the freedom to explore and integrate various fields, such as fashion, art, and technology. This allows them to discover new worlds, create unique connections, and potentially develop new disciplines altogether.