Tomorrow is the big day for menswear at the DC Fashion Week in Washington DC. I am eager to meet Stella Bonds, who will be showing at the Menswear Collection Show in the evening.Prior to the event, I was able to interview Stella, who skillfully unifies old world craftsmanship and elegance with new world style and sensibilities:
Where are you from originally?I was born in Bogotà, Colombia, and when I was 6 months old my mother died; so I was raised by my grandmother and my aunts. Actually, the first aunt, “Tia Sofia,” who took care of me as a baby just passed away last week. A very sad moment for me…very sad.
Where are you currently residing?
I live in Alexandria, Virginia. I am a city person, but I like a little of quietness; so Alexandria offers that—plus, it is very close to DC.
Tell me something about your background…
My background is in graphic design and, since I was little, I was the kid doing the drawings for the sisters at my school—I studied with nuns…
How did you go from drawing to graphic designs?
I always liked to draw, but I never thought I would be making clothes until a stranger—now a good friend—approached me and asked me if I wanted to represent his Italian shoes men’s line, because he liked the way I dressed… I told him I did not know anything about shoes but I would try.
And where did that lead?So I did, and I went to Las Vegas. While I was there I met the designer Ron Segal—shoe designer for many players in the NBA. He liked my look, as well, and he asked me if I would like to learn shoe designing and I said “yes.” He sponsored me to go to Spain and while I was there, I fell in love with the men’s shirts, so I learned about the basics of cutting a shirt. I came back to USA; I started to sew shirts; and one thing followed the other. I did finish my training as a shoe designer, as well.
What is your objective in designing for men in the US?
I think men in USA are too shy to show their bodies, so I want to make clothes that emphasis their bodies. We all talk about curves and we think immediately of women…well, let’s talk about lines and curves and that would be the men’s body, which is completely beautiful.
How do you achieve this specifically?
I also think that men need to be a little more aware of what they wear, so I offer simple but well-sewn pieces with details that make them look casual and sexy but not tacky. I do not like big t-shirts or shirts cut straight. It is a terrible look because it blocks any shape and, if the man is a little heavy, it looks even heavier.
What would you consider your main inspiration?A men’s body is what inspires me. I think if a piece is very well put together, he can wear roses and look good. I like all the extremes.
Do you adhere to a particular approach?
Yes. I do make clothes that can be very simple as it is in this collection but with something edgy. I like color in men, so most of my pieces will have color. I love different prints.
Sum up for me the Stella Bond look.
Wearable couture.
How does the fashion scene strike you in DC?
Very quiet. A little boring for me; that is the reason why I will like to change that image, but I go slowly so people don’t get afraid.
For example?
By putting more color and by being persistent in designs that can be simple but having some adventure when you were it.
How do you compare DC to Spain?My personal experience is that, in DC, it seems like we forgot clothes are a way to express and that fashion could be the reflection of you as a persona. Many of the men I relate with here would never go for a beauty treatment, for example, and then shopping for new thigh pants. In Barcelona, men are aware of themselves. They have manicures and pedicures, and they do not mind mentioning it. They want to wear the latest pants and are not afraid to change styles.
How long have you been showing at the DC Fashion Week?
Three times.
What has your experience been here?
This is by far the only event in DC that is well organized and it gives the opportunity to designers to show their collections. I wish it will be individual shows for each designer but that is a long shot.
Have a look at Stella’s runway collection: Stella Bonds Knows Male Lines & Male Curves!
Photos & slideshow Copyright Stella Bonds.
