* uN NOUvEAU iDEAL by fILEP mOTWARY

Dear iDEALS, since the begining of my BLOG, one of the links I had added on my favorites list was Devastee. The French designer duo have been around since A/W 04/05 when they presented their first collection during the FESTIVAL D'HYERES. The have just launched their first Jewellery pieces , made in a very different way than the ones we were used to see or buy so far. I am honored to feature Francois Alary and Ophelie Klere on Un nouVEAU iDEAL. This is an interview I've been longing for. Before I move to what DEVASTEE said to me, I would like to thank VILMA GOYA, Devastee's biggest follower and good friend. FilepMotwary:All three names you have given to your previews collections ( A.W 04/05 “My suicide looked over you”, S.S 05 “ I would like my depression to be fashionable”, A.W 06/07 “ BLEAKFUN”) show a love affair (almost) Devastee has with the meaning of suicide and depression. Where did this fascination start? What does “BEING IN CHARGE FOR MY OWN DEATH “mean
for you? Ophelie Klere : It’s not my part. It’s more Francois’ thing. Francois Alary : Actually, it’s not a fascination. It’s very natural to me. As far as I can remember, I’m in «love» with death, suicide stories, etc… My parents can testify! My first drawings, when I was 3 or 4, were about hanged people, heads cut off and spiders. It’s not a joke. I have no explanation. Some teachers wanted me to see a psychiatrist, but I never did it. I have been afraid of it when I was aroun18. I was really ashamed of who I was, so I tried to become the ultimate extreme of it. Now this period is finished. I don’t question myself anymore. About the choiceof death, I understand what you mean; I’m not stupid and I know that there’s nothing completely innocent when you talk about suicide. It’s never JUST ONLY for fun. But I don’t want to find something else. I don’t look for any answer or philosophy. I don’t care. FM:I know that your brand occupies different people from around the world. How important is for you to brake the borders of fashion? How do you see the future of fashion in general?OK: My main concern is to build our label, Devastee, as I feel it. I don’t want to look at the others, before me, or around me. And God it’shard when you’re in the fashion business, and live in Paris ! Everybody
complain everyday about how fuckin hard is this business. It would bore me stupid to think like that, and I would be so sad. Concerning the future of fashion; I’d say that we should soon see some H&M stuff in Vogue. Don’t you think? FA: I’m not that interested in fashion. I mean that it’s only a matter of fun and creativity for me. I think it’s the same for so many people in the fashion business today, in Paris at least. I’m not sure if it’s a new phenomenon. But I guess the future of fashion is made of this. FM: What needs to happen to Devastee now? FA&OK: Things just happened. But we have to keep them secret.
FM: Your first Jewellery collection which is actually out just now is surely something to wave for. Instead of beads you used VIAGRA, Valium, Extasy pills……How did this idea start? Aren’t you afraid of any authorities? Who is Colleen Wolstenholme ? OK: The starting point of this story was our meeting with Colleen. She’s a Canadian artist. She was already doing some jewellery pills. We loved her stuff and asked her if she would be ok to create a collection for our label. She loved the idea, we discussed about our expectations… And it happened. That’s all. Before being afraid of the authorities, we have to see how the people
react. We have to make plans for the future. Anyway, we have a very good lawyer. FM: What is your idea of an important achievement? FA: Finding happiness retreated into the shadows. OK: Yes, definitely, retreated into 7 homes all around the world: 1 in Paris, Sur L’ile Saint Louis; 1 in the South of France, near Cahors; 1 in the state of Montana (US); 1 in California; 1 in London (Notting Hill); 1 in the South of Ireland (near Limerick); and 1 in Italy (Assisi). Living in these 7 houses, with my 2 cats and my 2 ducks following us. That would be the best. FM:How is Parisian Fashion Scene at the moment?Who is gonna live and who is gonna hit the road? OK: As I said before, I can’t stand any thought about that kind of things. FA: Then I have to answer… As always, Paris moves a lot. Concerning the fashion business, I’d say the big thing is the guys from Surface To Air. They’re not really hyped, cos’ they’re relatively discreet. But OMG you should see how they are everywhere, behind almost every great new thing. They have a real intelligent vision of actual fashion. It’s so new (everything tends to be so repetitive with fashion). Like their tradeshow Rendez-Vous, they do things like no one before… And it works sooo much! FM: What’s the target group you have in mind when working on a new collection? OK: I have in mind a shop I visited a few months ago. It’s calledPapeete, in Riccione, Italy . They don’t buy us. And it’s not that I especially liked it. But I had the deep feeling that everything in this shop was representing the exact target of a luxury fashion designer.I’m sorry because it’s impossible to describe, but for me it means a lot. FA: I’m so bored with the commercial aspect of fashion. I’m glad that Ophelie keeps it in mind. For we prefer to be inspired by people we love. Our number one is an Irish actress, Antonia Campbell Hughes. She’s so special and so charismatic. Really the kind of girl you don’t meet everyday. She’s a kind of “muse” for our label. We love to imagine our clothes worn by her. It’s far better for creation than thinking about a “target”.FM: Is there a music album that has a great effect on you both when listen to? FA: We don’t have an album that has a great effect on us both. For music is not important in our common creative process. But mine is “Cruelty and the Beast” by “Cradle of Filth”. Very childish feeling, but it still remains after numerous years! OK: Mine is the same kind of remaining childish feeling about “No need to Argue” by the Cranberries. FM: What do you think about my blog,  Un nouVeau Ideal ? Ok: It’s def an impressive enterprise!!! How can you manage to find all these contents for everyday??? FA: I’m sure you have a few slaves working for you in the shadows. It’s impossible that you can manage to do it alone!!!! FM: Yes , trythfully I do it almost all by myself. Thank youso much for this interview. I am sure your fans and clients will be very happy about it and the opportunity you have just given them to know more about you.

NOTE: Copyright of this interview is owned by FILEP MOTWARY. Unauthorized copying not permitted without my handwritten permission.