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R.A Exclusive Interview: Jose Duran, Fashion Designer

Launching his label in 2008, Dominican designer, Jose Duran is no stranger to the fashion industry. Molding inspiration from historical moments, challenging the forces between fluidity and structure, creating Avante-Garde yet wearable designs, Duran creates a signature evident in every collection.

Recently featured at Blueprint 2011(Singapore) and returning back to showcase his F/W 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week. Duran takes time off for our exclusive interview with never before seen, behind the scene shoots… …

(Behind the Scenes Credits: CARLOS RODRIGUEZ)

R.A: We are such huge fans of your work that we don’t have the words for it. How would you describe your designs and inspiration from season to season? Cause I want to wear them all!

Jose Duran: I’m glad you like my designs. When it comes to my view in fashion, I get inspired by “non-beautiful” things, by homeless people, how they drape and put things together. Even by war, suffering of communities and historical moments.

R.A: What is your day to day basis being a fashion designer?

J.D: I’m a very “normal” person. I love hanging out with friends and family. When I’m back in Dominican Republic, I would spend most of my time working, presenting my work to Paris, New York and even Singapore. I’m always in a creative mood, thinking about my next collection.

R.A: Speaking about your next collection, what could we expect to see?

J.D: This year, I’m greatly inspired by androgyny, samurai at war and also my African roots with a Parisian chic touch. I will be using colors for the very first time in many years but still keeping cuts and dark tones, lots of suits, my signature drape dresses and of course lots of skin showing. I will debuting my very own shoe designs as well.

R.A: Which fashion designer do you look up to?

J.D: No doubt the late Alexander Lee McQueen, an inspiration from the very beginning of my designing career.

(Featured on the cover of Vogue Homme Japan Vol.6)

R.A: Growing up, who do you admire and how have that person inspire you?

J.D: I used to help my father, Micheline Thomas, in his mechanic garage as a child, getting dirty and greasy. Working with interestingly shaped car parts gave me inspiration, I believe very much evident in my work. Not to forget painter, Kehinde Willy.

R.A: Which individual, living or passes-on, would you want to see wearing your creations?

J.D: Grace Jones, Omahyra Mota and of course Lady Gaga.

(Amber Rose wearing Jose Duran at BET Awards 2011)

R.A: We know you recently worked with model, Andrej Pejic, how is he in person?

J.D: I loved Andrej since the first time I saw him during Paris Fashion Week. I was so amused by the looks on the crowds faces, confused by his gender. He is a great person and young person, very professional on set.

(Jose Duran with model, Andrej Pejic)

R.A: In your own words, what could be missing in the fashion industry?

J.D: We are lack of real people, real artist and diversity.

(Black Diamond Adolescent Exhibition for Fashion For Passion)

R.A: Have you ever had a weird inspiration?

J.D: A couple of years ago, I did a show inspired by women who suffer from breast cancer and those who had lost parts of their body. I wouldn’t call it weird but more towards interesting.