LENA QUIST: “I WOULD NEVER WEAR JEANS AND A T-SHIRT”

INSPIRED BY HIGH-END ALTERNATIVE FASHION, GLAM ROCK AND HER SWEDISH ROOTS, LENA QUIST IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HER FIRST EVER HIGH-FASHION COLLECTION. WITH HIGH HOPES OF SEEING IT ON THE RED CARPET IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AGENT2 MAGAZINE’S JENNIFER BUTLER DISCOVERS THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING OUT IN A CROWD, LENA’S LOVE/HATE AFFAIR WITH SPANDEX AND WHY SHE IS THE ANTITHESIS OF A TYPICAL SWEDISH DESIGNER.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I understand that 80′s music is something you are passionate about…

The kind of clothes I make always come from somewhere different; I can find inspiration in pretty much anything. But as you said, music inspires me a lot. Mainly music from the 80′s era is the inspiration for my clothing line. I love Kiss, Madonna and Michael Jackson.

What kind of customers do you get and how do you want your clientele to adapt in the future?

Most of my customers are glam rockers, both girls and guys. I get requests for clothes from a lot of musicians and models. It’s people who want to and need to stand out and be memorable. Since I want to make it in high fashion I’m hoping for more fashionistas, magazine people and celebrities.

Which designers do you get your influences from?

I try not to look too much at what other designers do to get inspiration, that’s when you tend to lose your own style, but I always check out the runway reports and the new collections as soon as they’re out. My favourites are pretty much always the same; Marchesa, Alexander McQueen (RIP), Betsey Johnson, Versace. I really like sexy, edgy and glamorous outfits, just like my own designs.

Your collection has moved further into the higher end of fashion, towards couture. Why did you decide to do this?

As much as I love the rock’ n’ roll spandex stuff, the thing I’ve always wanted to do is red carpet gowns and cocktail dresses, so I guess you can say it’s just me living my dream. As an alternative designer you can only reach a certain level and I wanted more than that, so the step into high fashion came naturally.

Are there any celebrities that wear your clothes?

Not like A-list Hollywood celebs, at least not yet. This new couture collection is going to a style house in L.A. so hopefully it’s just a matter of time. Besides that I’ve got some cool rock bands wearing the designs on stage and in music videos, and in the glam-rock subculture they’re big names.

Spandex is not an easy fabric to wear, what made you choose to use it so much in your collection and why do you love it?

That’s true (laughs), but the reason why I chose spandex was mainly because that was what I was missing myself when I, as a glam rock chick in the early 20′s, went out shopping. The kind of spandex in the shops that I found were just bad fitting and low quality, so I simply started to make cool, well fitted, high quality spandex wear and that’s what my customers have continued to ask for. My relationship to spandex is really a love/hate affair. I love it because it can look really hot on the right person and it’s a very pleasing material to work with, but at the same time I can really hate making all those pants. It’s totally uninspiring and doesn’t feel creative at all.

How has coming from Sweden influenced your collection?

Well, I’m pretty much the opposite of the typical Swedish designer. I would never wear jeans and a T-shirt. I love glamour; sequins, studs, feathers and animal prints. I prefer a tight fitting garment before loose fitting clothes. So my collections are pretty much a reaction against the typical Swedish fashion.

Where do you see your collection going next?

Starting with this spring collection, I will make the high fashion line more exclusive. I want to make the high fashion line in beautiful silk fabrics. The Classics line will be inspired by the high fashion collection and but will be similar garments in stretch fabrics. I want them to be cheaper to buy and easier to wear, without walking the red carpet.

Have you any regrets so far in your designing career?

I don’t believe in having regrets. Of course there are things I could have done differently, but instead of having regrets it’s better to try to learn from the mistake you made.

What have the highlights been?

The highlights have been all my shows and all the great people I’ve got to know through my job. I meet so many talented people and that’s inspired me a lot.

How would you like to develop your runway shows, will you be doing London Fashion Week at any point?

London Fashion Week is my long term goal. I know a lot of people who want to see me there and I was hoping to start showing LFW this fall. But I need to be more realistic and wait until at least next spring. Because of all the changes I’ve made to the brand there are other things I need to focus on and other things I must get straight first. I have to be organised before getting on with such a huge thing as a fashion week show.

lenaquist.com

Words Jennifer Butler