2015: During these hectic times, where everyone needs some sort of superpower to make it through the day, menswear designer Henrik Silvius, has set out to leave his mark in society through his fashion-forward creations and uncommon point of view. Muscular Dystrophy is not easy to deal with, but this never stopped Silvius from paving a career in fashion through blogging and styling at first and then with the founding of his own label in Copenhagen. According to him, “the world of fashion is ahead of the current and we believe that so is he.
Before the launch of your brand, you served as a part-time stylist and fashion blogger with pretty killer aesthetics. Did this former experience have an influence on your designs?
Absolutely. I had always loved fashion and it was only a matter of time until I started to design clothes. I mean, becoming a fashion designer was never an actual choice- I believe it was always meant for me. In my years as both a stylist and a blogger, I felt that something was missing in menswear and my well-stocked wardrobe was just not enough to help me express myself to the extent I wanted to. I was close, but not close enough. Now, my style and aesthetics have become the epicenter of my brand and I feel that through my creations, I have finally succeeded in satisfying this need of mine.
You lead your way through life hand-in-hand with Muscular Dystrophy. Do you find this to be a challenge regarding the creative process?
Well, to be honest I don’t find it that hard. Annoying sometimes, yes, but not hard. That’s just the reality of my life and I’m pretty used to it by now. You just have to be creative and look at the options instead of the obstructions. That being said, I’m an extreme perfectionist and sometimes it can be quite hard for me to delegate tasks in the working process. It’s very important for me to be involved in all parts of the brand. I simply can’t stay away from any of it. Even though it’s challenging and time consuming to be in on everything, I believe it makes both me and the brand stronger and even more complete. I have been blessed with a wonderful team of people around me and I include them in every step of the progress as much as possible- but designing is definitely my home field.
Life in a wheelchair must have given you a different eye-level. What have you observed from there that others might have missed?
With an eye level just below the belt, I always meet people’s wardrobe before their eyes and I’m quite sure that this has sharpened my sense of detail. I believe that the options of my eye level- along with an inherent dedication to perfection- are the platform for my designs.
We know that one of your purposes as a designer is to change the reality that you have seen. Why did you choose fashion as your medium to make that change?
I don’t know why I master this skill, but I think that fashion or clothing in general has become my way of expressing my feelings and thoughts on human behaviour or the state of the world. Sex or global warming. Plastic cougars. Everything. It’s my first priority to remain creative and make a mark on the world. Fashion is my brush.
You are focused on menswear design because you believe that something is missing in that area. But what is your take on womenswear?
Womenswear doesn’t take up a lot of my thoughts at the moment to be honest. I’m frequently asked when a HENRIKSILVIUS womenswear line will be brought to life. I won’t deny it will happen, but I’m just into menswear at this point. With that being said, I don’t look at my brand as a women- free zone, the clothes just happen to be worn by very muscular men walking back and forth for five minutes to extremely loud music.
The demand for unisex clothing has been on the rise for a while now. Do you think the world of fashion is serious on eliminating labels or it will never truly get away from social constructs?
That’s a big question! I have to say that labels and sexes in general are extremely essential subjects and together they compose the defining platform for the inspiration behind my work. The world of fashion is- in many ways- ahead of the current society and social constructions. I feel that the next couple of years will offer even greater room for diversity and alternative lifestyles, and that makes me really happy. While being extremely fascinated by a male physique similar to that of a Greek God, I really love bringing extremely feminine elements into my menswear. That way I feel that I’m creating my very own gender through my work.
In the past you’ve stated that having a super-powered alter ego is very important. After a very promising journey in fashion, do you find that the Henrik Silvius of today has become that guy?
I’m extremely proud of what I have achieved so far and I could not have done it without my super-powered alter ego! That being said, I don’t think that an alter ego should be a constant state of mind. Batman only wears his cape when he needs to be Batman. The rest of the time he is just Bruce Wayne. The ‘super-you’ is a tool you use to achieve your goals in life, like a uniform to conquer the world in.
To sum things up, what is your favourite 90’s trend?
Easy peasy! Justin Timberlake’s awkwardly big earring in the *NSYNC video for ‘I Want You Back’ and the combination of super tight tops and oversized bottoms.
Full interview: http://chasseurmagazine.com/chasseur-interviews-fashion-designer-henrik-silvius/
