01of 05
Edvin Thompson for Theophilio
Taylor Hill/WireImage
How did you get your start?
What does American Fashion mean to you?
American fashion is progressive and defines many cultures and communities within America.
Which celebrity dressing moment is most memorable to you and why?
Dressing Sha Cari Richardson and Alton Mason was my most memorable moment because it was my first time dressing someone for the Met Gala
Who is your dream celebrity client and why?
My dream celebrity client is Rihanna. The icon she is and where she is from is so inspiring. I believe we share similar stories coming from the Caribbean islands of Barbados and Jamaica, extending our community through the art we do.
02of 05
Jameel Mohammed for KHIRY
Mike Coppola/Getty
I started working in the fashion industry via summer internships in women’s apparel design that I was lucky enough to undertake in high school. Each was an incredible step in confirming that this was the industry that I wanted to make my mark on.
WhenMichelle Obamawore KHIRY to theBecomingbook stadium tour in 2018 I had just moved back home with my parents after several years in the industry – I was feeling like my position in the industry was very tenuous and marginal, so to see one of the world’s most recognizable and important women wear my brand in a moment of personal doubt was incredibly encouraging.
I would love to dress Rihanna. I feel like her style is iconic and personal, and I get the sense that she’s incredibly self-directed in her style. I would love the opportunity to collaborate with her on items and looks that would marry our two aesthetic worlds.
03of 05
Maisie Schloss for Maisie Wilen
Arturo Holmes/Getty
04of 05
Kenneth Nicholson
I began designing in high school and after studying fashion design at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco and time in the USN, I moved to Los Angeles and started interning for LA based fashion labels. After finding it difficult to be brought on a team in a permanent capacity, I decided to start my own label (which had always been my plan) launching Kenneth Nicholson in 2016 with a feature of my first collection in The New YorkTimes.
I think there is a notion of ease that sometimes accompanies American Fashion. Whether its day or evening there is this idea that ease is more often than not accounted for, or at least that has been the case for the better part of the last century. I think that factor as a rule seems to be changing as we engage shifting attitudes in society mainly the want to express more of personal identity.
I would love to work with several celebrities. Tilda Swinton,Kanye West, Timothee Chalamet, Kid Cuddi to name a few. Currently I think it would be fitting to work with LaKeith Stanfeild. I think he has a unique quality about himself. When you watch him you really get a sense that he is an artist’s artist, there’s layers and depth to him. I feel that there is a kindred kinship, I’ve also felt similarly about Donald Glover.
05of 05Eli Russell Linnetz for ERLSean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via GettyThe Venice Beach native — who got his start as a child actor — is a true multi-hyphenate creative. Throughout his career, Linnetz has directed music videos forKanye West, co-produced an album for Kid Cudi, written songs for Teyana Taylor, designed stages forLady Gagaandbuilt the ultimate chill surfer-inspired label with ERL.When the fashion designer found out about his CFDA honor, he just so happened to be in the middle of getting A$AP Rocky dressed for the Met Gala. (The rapper wore Linnetz’s multi-colored quilt designer on the red carpet).“It was an overwhelming moment of ecstasy. I didn’t really process it till later that night. I’m not one to celebrate. The next day I started sketching what I was going to wear to the CFDA awards,” hesaid.As for his fashion philosophy, Linnetz wants to keep the laid back spirit of his hometown alive and says he hopes the industry will start to embrace “more chaos” and “less rules.““I don’t think too far into the future. I focus on the textures and colors that bring me happiness,” he continued. “Venice is far away from all those big fashion giants. In Venice, there are no rules. I often just walk the streets bare foot in my boxers and no one questions it. It’s about finding things on the side of the road and living free. Laid back and no stress.”
05of 05
Eli Russell Linnetz for ERL
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
The Venice Beach native — who got his start as a child actor — is a true multi-hyphenate creative. Throughout his career, Linnetz has directed music videos forKanye West, co-produced an album for Kid Cudi, written songs for Teyana Taylor, designed stages forLady Gagaandbuilt the ultimate chill surfer-inspired label with ERL.
When the fashion designer found out about his CFDA honor, he just so happened to be in the middle of getting A$AP Rocky dressed for the Met Gala. (The rapper wore Linnetz’s multi-colored quilt designer on the red carpet).
“It was an overwhelming moment of ecstasy. I didn’t really process it till later that night. I’m not one to celebrate. The next day I started sketching what I was going to wear to the CFDA awards,” hesaid.
As for his fashion philosophy, Linnetz wants to keep the laid back spirit of his hometown alive and says he hopes the industry will start to embrace “more chaos” and “less rules.”
“I don’t think too far into the future. I focus on the textures and colors that bring me happiness,” he continued. “Venice is far away from all those big fashion giants. In Venice, there are no rules. I often just walk the streets bare foot in my boxers and no one questions it. It’s about finding things on the side of the road and living free. Laid back and no stress.”
source: people.com
