09.11.10

The Interview-Gemma Slack

Gemma Slack models her SS11 collection for us from New York.

Milliner, Noel Stewart collaborates with Gemma Slack for SS11.

Gemma Slack

Gemma Slack is a designer Fashion156 has watched grow since her graduate collection at LCF. From interviewing Gemma backstage at her AW 09/10 collection to reporting on her AW 10/11 exhibition to analysing her SS11 collection, Gemma Slack is a designer who continually inspires us.

 

Your SS11 collection is entitled Muse and Machine, can you explain this?

That’s not actually the title of the collection, but I like it. I was trying so long to think of a name but nothing seemed to fit, we can use ‘Muse and Machine’ as a working title though?
The collection was based around an imagined muse- A modern, artificial ‘Femme Fatale’. A creature who is seductive and desirable, yet indifferent and un-giving. Her power residing within the artifical; not her sexuality. An artificiality that announces she is not really human, but the perfect machine. The photographic prints were intended to simulate the real (as with the muse) whilst actually being an unreality that passes itself off as real, though on closer inspection is clearly not.
The leather ‘prosthetic devices’ were intended to confirm [her] artificiality, and internal workings-as with the machine- while offering a contrasting vulnerable, stylized reality.
 
You just collaborated with Noel Stewart with him creating hats for your SS11 lookbook how did this come about? 

Noel is a friend of the stylist I work with Kate Ruth and I had been wanting to make hats for the SS11 collection and been designing a few; then Kate suggested a collaboration with Noel and introduced us. We sat on my studio roof for a while discussing and going threw my sketches and pieces from the collection. We were really into each others work, ideas and processes so that’s where it all began really.
It was  a great experience to work with someone as talented as Noel, and I think were both pretty pleased with the end result. So that always helps.
 
How were the Paris Showrooms with Vauxhall Fashion Scout?

Paris Showroom’s are always an interesting experience; everyone-designers, buyers and press- are exhausted as its at the end of all the fashion weeks and months of preparation work, but it’s a great platform to exhibit work especially with the amount of international and influential attendees.

The days were mainly taken up with international press and buying appointments and meeting various people passing through. Its always an exciting experience when you pick up a new store or client, and its incredibly useful to get feedback and hear peoples opinions. The evenings are mainly made up of lots of parties, cheap vino and wondering around trying to find a cab late at night in Paris! Which anyone who has been to PFW will vouch is actually impossible.
 
I understand you are currently in the U.S. for the next month can you tell me more about this.

Indeed I am. The U.S. was a spontaneous thing, I had a few appointments with clients I work with in LA and NYC and decided I would extend my stay as new meetings kept coming up and I’ve been meeting some really great people over here. Im also finding it really inspiring to research and design in a completely new and exciting environment.

Images courtesy of Gemma Slack

Posted by Susan Walsh

Tags: Interview Gemma Slack New York SS11 Paris Showrooms