SIMEON FARRAR

How did you become interested in fashion design?
As an artist, I used to incorporate various types of media into my paintings and began using t-shirts as a substitute for canvas. I liked how the paintings seemed more alive, unrestricted by the edges of a canvas. Some independent stores in London noticed these t-shirts, so I made more. Almost by accident, I became a fashion designer.

How important is collaboration in fashion design?
Collaboration is one of my favorite aspects of all the artistic work I do, whether in fashion, art, or music-making. I love the element of surprise in the creative process, and since it’s not always easy to surprise yourself, working with others whom you respect and trust becomes a way for something entirely new to be born. I find that unbelievably exciting.

What's your process for designing a new collection?
I tend to start with loud music and lots of paper, drawing or making marks based on whatever comes to mind in the moment as I react to my surroundings. The drawings reflect my feelings, current events, and the music I’m listening to. These initial sketches are then edited and transferred onto screens, marking the beginning of the second half of the process. Multiple screens work in conjunction with one another, allowing garments to be created live and intuitively as I layer prints and wash certain pieces.

How do you balance creativity with wearability in your designs?
I must say, I do find it somewhat irritating that someone actually has to wear my designs at times. I want to keep layering a surface, but I have to contain this urge in a way I wouldn’t if it were a piece of art.

How do you stay inspired?
Inspiration is a product of energy, and energy is generated through movement, and movement is change. I want to ensure that my thinking and creativity remain fluid. I never want to feel as though I’ve fully arrived at something, because the world offers infinite possibilities to discover. This infinity exists because, as humans, we are not static—we are constantly growing. I want to embrace that continuously.

What's your favorite fashion magazine?  
DUST Magazine.

What's your favorite fashion film?
I recently watched High & Low about John Galliano and found it incredibly inspiring. He’s a complex and unusual character but fascinating.

What's your favorite type of collaboration?  
It's a partnership that allows for complete freedom on both sides, so trust plays a big role. We’re currently working with an amazing Japanese label called Basemark. They send us their new samples, and we respond to whatever arrives. They're constantly evolving and challenging us, and I think together, we create truly interesting things.

What's your favorite project you've ever worked on?  
In 2011, we collaborated with a shop called Johnbull in Japan to raise money for the victims of the massive earthquake that struck in March of that year. We designed a series of prints and then traveled to a place called Minamisanriku, one of the areas hardest hit along the coast, where we set up a small print workshop in a temporary shelter. Many children from the town joined us, and we taught them how to screen print. Together, we created some incredible things. I will never forget that trip—it was humbling, horrifying, and beautiful.

How do you handle creative block?    
Creative block has got to be one of the most uncomfortable feelings to experience. I think the best way to handle it is with patience. We often experience blockages when we've outgrown or moved on from something creatively. This explains the discomfort: your surroundings—whether mental or physical—no longer surprise you, so a part of you has already moved forward. It’s actually an exciting time because it often precedes a new breakthrough. We just need patience and trust. Still, it sucks.

What's next for you in your fashion design career?  
I want to organize an exhibition on the theme of Protest/Activism. I envision it as a large, multidisciplinary show incorporating art, poetry, fashion, and music. The world feels turbulent right now—perhaps no more so than at other times in history—but in all the fields of expression I work in, there are many voices that deserve to be elevated. Turbulent times often inspire incredibly creative voices, and I want to bring some of them together under one roof.