There was definitely a huge media buzz going on, even before the public get to set eyes on his collection. Gracing the inaugural MFW 2011, Singapore, it was only more then appropriate for Fashion designer, Kim Wilkins to showcase his debut collection: BODYBOUND. Graduating from the Royal College of Arts, Kim has been exposed to the crazy world of fashion growing up in a family involved in the trade. Spending many years in
perfecting his designs, the results were evident in his end product. Inspired by the macabre photography of Joel-Peter Witkin, the collection screamed Avant Garde, Erotic and Gothic. R.A speaks to Kim, on his recent success and digs into his journey on becoming where he is right now as a fashion designer…. …
R.A: Hey Kim, your hard work sure paid off with your recent debut at MFW. What were your emotions like during that period of time?
Kim: They were a mixture of excitement, trepidation and hysteria. I think it’s always like that before a show: hardly anyone has slept and there is such a huge amount of effort and skill invested into each garment that everyone wants the result to be perfect… it all felt very “focused!” The team at Daniel Boey Productions really helped hold it all together.
R.A: How did having photographer Joel-Peter Witkin as your inspiration for Bodybound came about?
Kim: I can’t remember the first time I saw his photographs, I think it might have been while I was interning at McQueen, many moons ago, and I came across his work while researching for them. I have always found his work mesmerising. They are both seductive and unsettling; they sort of reel you in and kick you in the gut, at the same time.
R.A: Hoped you like the shots by our fashion photographer Fadli Rahman =)
Kim: I’m a great fan of Fadli through and through. I was talking to the boys from KTZ earlier in London and we all agreed that we will be watching his future progression with great interest.
R.A: What are you currently working on right now?
Kim: I am preparing a studded t-shirt… I don’t want to give too much away, but think golfer meets muscled jock.
R.A: Is there going to be a signature style we will see in future collections?
Kim: It might be too soon to say, everything changes, and you evolve with your work continuously. I’d like to think that my collections will retain their spunkiness throughout my career. Its quite important to me that Fashion exists to challenge the status quo: nothing is sacred, no one is safe. For me “Fashion” is a medium to rally against mediocrity in the world.
R.A: From McQueen to Zegna to Matthew Williamson, what have you gain through the experience?
Kim: That great ideas come into reality through sweat, spit and sleepless nights.
R.A: Which designers, do you look up to?
Kim: Thierry Mugler, Elsa Schiaparelli, Mason Jung
R.A: Do you think the fashion industry is affected by the downward spiraling economy? How would you as a designer fight it?
Kim: This is an interesting/ frightening period. I think that a good outcome of the current economic crisis is that a lot of “fluf” in the industry has been cast off. Big brand corporations have been hit the hardest, mainly as a result of complacent attitude towards their audience’s growing demands for more design for their dollar. They can no longer get away with filling the shelves with un-designed tat. The fashion savvy public are design educated… they “get” conceptual designers like Margiela and Chalayan, they savour the drama and choreography that goes into a McQueen show, and the couture like work that is involved in creating quality garments.
It has meant that the industry has had to mature quickly to catch up with it’s audience, who are braver and more sophisticated than they have ever been.
Speaking as one of a number of new designers, born out of the recession, we can adapt much faster, and have a far more contemporary attitude towards our craft and our customers.
R.A: Create a word out of ‘’R’’ & ‘’A’’ in relation to either yourself or anything in particular.
Kim: disARming
Interviewed by: Randolph Tan and Hanz Moniefiero
FADLI RAHMAN : PRIVE. featuring clothes from BODYBOUND by Kim Wilkins. Hair and MUA : Raudha Raily Mahmud & Andy Razali Models: Jean-Paul Faint, Tatu Timonen, Renan Bonin Bonin & Steph L. Assisted by : Rachel, Jo and Nikhil. Special Thanks to CARY & RICE from GlamourInc/Best of British.
