The moment her garments hit the racks of Opening Ceremony for Spring/Summer 2011, I knew that London-based designer Yasmin Kianfar was going to be one to watch. Being a lover of all things white, pastel, and lace, it was her intricate laser-cuts into different variations of silk that made me fall in love, as well as her sexy-- yet extremely feminine-- cuts. I have followed the young designer's line ever since.
Yasmin's beautiful designs well surpass her years of experience-- as a recent graduate of Central Saint Martin's University in London, the new Spring/Summer 2013 collection impressively marks her fifth collection to date! Just very recently did I get one of her classic laser-cut tees in white (pictured above), a beautifully stunning alternative to your white tee, that can be worn from day to night. Needless to say, I was very, very happy by this.
Since we were in touch, couldn't help but ask her a few questions about her designs, inspiration, life, and loves!
MF
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Yasmin Kianfar
A writer-- I loved studying English literature!
MF
What was your school experience like?
What was your school experience like?
YK
I went to a girls school in the countryside
from ages 4-16. The whole experience was blissful
and maybe a little naive. It was the best time. I remember feeling very carefree... I made my
best friends there. I still have the same close friends from when I was seven
years old!
MF
When did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer?
When did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer?
YK
Believe it or not, it was not before I did my final collection at Centrail St. Martin's... Then I knew.
MF
If you weren't a fashion designer, you'd be an...
If you weren't a fashion designer, you'd be an...
YK
Interior Designer. I've been house hunting, and so, I am getting quite into homes and interiors at the
moment! My mum is an Interior Designer-- a
very good one, too!
MF
Describe the first garment you created:
YK
Probably
the final garment I made for Foundation at Camberwell Art School. It
was inspired by Daisy from the Great Gatsby. I made a dress with printed
lace in a very light colour onto White, so it was a very subtle print
you could only see in the light.
MF
About how many garments make up each of your collections?
YK
I usually end up with about twenty garments-- and so I always seem to end up with fourteen looks. There is a logic to it, in that I
need a certain amount of tops/bottoms/dresses, etc.. I am not rigid with this
number though!
MF
What is your design process like? How does a garment change and evolve from the beginning to the end?
What is your design process like? How does a garment change and evolve from the beginning to the end?
YK
To be honest, the garments evolve largely on the page as I draw them. I would rather draw through several different options than create each of them. I am big on non-waste and this allows me to minimize what gets discarded at the end of a season!
To be honest, the garments evolve largely on the page as I draw them. I would rather draw through several different options than create each of them. I am big on non-waste and this allows me to minimize what gets discarded at the end of a season!
MF
Laser cuts and open shapes appear throughout your collection. What draws you to this?
Laser cuts and open shapes appear throughout your collection. What draws you to this?
YK
I guess it all goes back to [the textile] Lace. I have always loved it-- but when I began to think about design, I was intrigued by the concept of taking this old craft and making it contemporary.
I guess it all goes back to [the textile] Lace. I have always loved it-- but when I began to think about design, I was intrigued by the concept of taking this old craft and making it contemporary.
MF
Who is "your girl?"
Who is "your girl?"
YK
My girl is intelligent, style conscious more than fashion-conscious. She is subtle and elegant.
My girl is intelligent, style conscious more than fashion-conscious. She is subtle and elegant.
MF
What is the inspiration behind the SS13 Collection?
What is the inspiration behind the SS13 Collection?
YK
The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is inspired by Sun and Surfing. The blue and coral were from those elements. The leather dot embellishment was from the concept of using the holes that were laser cut away. I also liked the idea of making the same pattern on a garment but in a different way.
The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is inspired by Sun and Surfing. The blue and coral were from those elements. The leather dot embellishment was from the concept of using the holes that were laser cut away. I also liked the idea of making the same pattern on a garment but in a different way.
MF
Your favorite garment you ever designed and why:
Your favorite garment you ever designed and why:
YK
That's a hard one. I would say a dress from my Spring/Summer 2012 collection: it is a laser-cut white under-dress (like a slip) that has a nude silk overlay. I just feel that this piece just sums up my brand.
That's a hard one. I would say a dress from my Spring/Summer 2012 collection: it is a laser-cut white under-dress (like a slip) that has a nude silk overlay. I just feel that this piece just sums up my brand.
MF
Your favorite collection thus far and why:
Your favorite collection thus far and why:
YK
I would say Spring/Summer 2013 because it really demonstrates some signature aspects but moves them to the next level. I love the colours and fabrics too.
I would say Spring/Summer 2013 because it really demonstrates some signature aspects but moves them to the next level. I love the colours and fabrics too.
MF
What is the most surprising experience you've had while being a designer? The most exciting?
YK
The most surprising experience I would say would be how easy it has been to make contact with people that seem unattainable or out of bounds. Some of the best responses I have ever received were when I just went straight to the top and sent an e-mail to a head buyer or fashion director. It has been surprising and exciting!
What is the most surprising experience you've had while being a designer? The most exciting?
YK
The most surprising experience I would say would be how easy it has been to make contact with people that seem unattainable or out of bounds. Some of the best responses I have ever received were when I just went straight to the top and sent an e-mail to a head buyer or fashion director. It has been surprising and exciting!
MF
What inspires you to create?
YK
Believe it or not, just watching girls on the street. I love watching how people put their looks together. I myself can be a bit simple in how I create an outfit so I like to see other things, even if to discard them. It makes you think about clothes in a different way.
What inspires you to create?
YK
Believe it or not, just watching girls on the street. I love watching how people put their looks together. I myself can be a bit simple in how I create an outfit so I like to see other things, even if to discard them. It makes you think about clothes in a different way.
MF
If you could collaborate with any designer, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
If you could collaborate with any designer, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
YK
I'll be boring and cliche and say Chanel... but nothing compares! Or Chloe. I am really very classic at heart, though I do love the idea of Creative Directing one of those classic houses and making them a little more fresh.
I'll be boring and cliche and say Chanel... but nothing compares! Or Chloe. I am really very classic at heart, though I do love the idea of Creative Directing one of those classic houses and making them a little more fresh.
MF
What designers do you admire?
What designers do you admire?
MF
If you could have any celebrity-- current or in history-- wear your clothing, who would it be and why?
If you could have any celebrity-- current or in history-- wear your clothing, who would it be and why?
YK
I like Keira Knightley, Kate Bosworth as contemporaries. In History, Lauren Baccall and Lauren Hutton would be amazing.
I like Keira Knightley, Kate Bosworth as contemporaries. In History, Lauren Baccall and Lauren Hutton would be amazing.
MF
Your ultimate goal:
Your ultimate goal:
YK
To open a store in London where I had an atelier underneath.
To open a store in London where I had an atelier underneath.
MF
Your favorite item of clothing as a child:
Your favorite item of clothing as a child:
YK
A matching silk top and trousers that had tiny polka dots on them.
A matching silk top and trousers that had tiny polka dots on them.
MF
Your favorite things in your closet:
Your favorite things in your closet:
YK
This white lace skirt which I seem to wear all year round!! And my chanel 2.5- a ridiculous purchase that took a while paying my mum back for!
This white lace skirt which I seem to wear all year round!! And my chanel 2.5- a ridiculous purchase that took a while paying my mum back for!
MF
A designer or brand I may not know about:
A designer or brand I may not know about:
YK
My good friend Marina has a beautiful silk brand called Marina, London. The collection contains simple pieces that are beautifully cut in silk. She creates really lovely things that you will keep in your closet for a long time.
My good friend Marina has a beautiful silk brand called Marina, London. The collection contains simple pieces that are beautifully cut in silk. She creates really lovely things that you will keep in your closet for a long time.
MF
Favorite spot in London:
Favorite spot in London:
YK
The roof at Shoreditch House has a great feel-- I prefer it at night with the lights and the fire!
The roof at Shoreditch House has a great feel-- I prefer it at night with the lights and the fire!
MF
Favorite restaurants in London?
Favorite restaurants in London?
YK
Bocca di Lupo, an Italian restaurant on Archer Street. I have had a couple of really great dinners there. Have the crab pasta! Also, I love the ice cream from Gelupo.
Bocca di Lupo, an Italian restaurant on Archer Street. I have had a couple of really great dinners there. Have the crab pasta! Also, I love the ice cream from Gelupo.
MF
Favorite shops in London:
Favorite shops in London:
YK
To be honest, I rarely shop and I am not a loyal shopper at all! But at the moment I am more into house shopping than clothes! But Browns on South Molton St is a great store, I could definitely go a bit crazy in there if given the opportunity!
To be honest, I rarely shop and I am not a loyal shopper at all! But at the moment I am more into house shopping than clothes! But Browns on South Molton St is a great store, I could definitely go a bit crazy in there if given the opportunity!
MF
Favorite spot in NYC:
Favorite spot in NYC:
YK
I don't go a lot when I'm there, so I'm probably super out of date! I really like the restaurant Peasant! I love to stay at The Hudson and the big Dean & Deluca near Opening Ceremony. Oh--- and Opening Ceremony of course!
I don't go a lot when I'm there, so I'm probably super out of date! I really like the restaurant Peasant! I love to stay at The Hudson and the big Dean & Deluca near Opening Ceremony. Oh--- and Opening Ceremony of course!
MF
Favorite spot in the world:
Favorite spot in the world:
MF
Eight songs you couldn't live without:
YK
1/ Rhythm is a Dancer, Snap
1/ Rhythm is a Dancer, Snap
2/ Under Control, The Strokes
3/ The Cave, Mumford & Sons
4/ My Baby Just Cares for Me, Nina Simone
5/ 007 Shanty Town, Desmond Dekker
6/ 54-46 That's My Number, Toots & the Maytals
7/ Running Up That Hill, Kate Bush
8/ The Love That I Saw In You Was Just a Mirage, Smokey Robinson
MF
Your theme song:
YK
Like a Prayer, Madonna
Like a Prayer, Madonna
Top 5 Movies:
YK
1/The Royal Tenenbaums
1/The Royal Tenenbaums
2/Almost Famous
3/Three Men and a Little Lady
4/Atonement
5/Bright Young Things
MF
Five things that you love right now:
Five things that you love right now:
YK
1/ Buttoned Headboards
1/ Buttoned Headboards
2/ Matthew
3/ My new Burgundy Skirt
4/ Coconut water with Pineapple
5/ The Kartell Ghost Chair
MF
Favorite books and/or authors:
YK
Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger
When God Was a Rabbit
A Million Little Pieces
MF
Your spirit animal:
Your spirit animal:
YK
Cat
Cat
MF
In a nutshell, your philosophy is….
In a nutshell, your philosophy is….
YK
Don't worry what anyone else is doing, just worry about what you're doing.
MF
What do you think is the best advice you could give young emerging designers?
What do you think is the best advice you could give young emerging designers?
YK
Don't get into debt: start small and grow.
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