Style & Design
Originally published on Tuesday, 24th February 2009
Rachel Freire
Liverpudlian Freire believes artists have a reponsibility to make the world a more beautiful place, and has been working to this end via theatrical sets and costumes, extreme nakedness and body modification. Now she turns her hand to fashion as part of On/Off Presents...
Describe your style in three words.
Period drama meets bladerunner.
What are the inspirations behind your collection for On|Off?
Combining flattering wearable pieces with the completely decadent.
Creating clothes that are meant to be worn to death and will hopefully retain their worth in all states of their demise.
Fish and cycling.
What do you love about showing in London and how would you say it differentiates itself from other fashion capitals?
The audience here is so diverse it allows for much more creative freedom than other places. I think people are more open to fashion as art and the boundaries between styles are more readily taken on by the most unexpected of people.
How do you think the fashion industry will hold up in the current economic climate?
People will always want beautiful things, and artists have the responsibility of making the world a more colourful place. At a time like this people being more cautious will just make them more discerning.
What is your best kept fashion secret?
Army surplus. It's the way you wear it.
What is one lesson you’re grateful to have learnt in your career?
Coming from a background in theatre and film I value the art of working as part of a team. I think fashion can be quite a singular sport, but you can't do this on your own. No one is truly original and inspiration comes from the dynamics of the world.
One thing you wish more people knew about you?
I never get to make clothes for myself, and rarely buy them. Like mechanics who have a sh*t car and decorators who have a sh*t house. I also don't keep the things I make. I tend to give them away as I love the idea of them being out in the world rather than in my closet gathering dust. But this causes problems when people want things to shoot from me so I'm trying hard to stop it!
What’s the first thing you’re going to do when Fashion Week is over?
Sleeping! No, probably drinking more. Going about visiting all my friends who I haven't seen for a long time. Then I'll be off around the world putting things into production and getting new inspiration.
What does the future hold?
If I knew that it wouldn't be any fun
