French subtitles, Flemish subtitles
Belgium
(Click to enlarge)Zoë Vermeire is the Belgian finalist in the H&M Design Award 2012. She recently graduated from ENSAV – La Cambre Mode. Zoë is 24 years old and lives in Ghent in Belgium.
Q: What inspires you at the moment?
A: Films. I have a preference for quite bizarre films. They are a perfect way to temporarily hide from what’s around me. It’s like entering another world, which gives me the space to think and create my own world. But daily life inspires me as well. Everything is a possible trigger for a new idea.
Q: What do you read?
A: Ham on Rye – Charles Bukowski, Uncle Oswald – Roald Dahl, Gstaad 95-98 – Marek van der Jagt.
Q: Less is more, or the more the merrier?
A: I like things that are sober and intelligent. But it depends on the time and the situation, and the style and the feeling that comes with it. I think it’s not always a choice; sometimes the ‘less’ or the ‘more’ chooses you.
Q: What’s your favorite scent?
A: Maybe the humid early morning scent of woodland. The scent of the desert wind.
Q: Favorite thing to draw while talking on the phone?
A: I don’t draw while on the phone. Sometimes I don’t even talk while on the phone.
Q: Favorite color?
A: The color of dawn.
Q: Favorite material to work with?
A: Wool, silk and leather. And I would love to work one day with wood and gold. Any material is good, as long as I can be creative.
Q: Describe the first item you designed.
A: I can’t remember, but it might have been an orange carrot, made of scraps of old fabric I found in my house.
Q: Favorite fashion era, and why?
A: I think the fashion history is very rich and every era has its interesting and valuable elements. But I find the 1930’s very fascinating, and I also like the Teddy Boys.
Q: Favorite fashion designer at the moment?
A: Viktor & Rolf.
Q: Favorite historic fashion designer?
A: Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen.
Q: What do you listen to?
A: Bluebob, Pink Floyd & Ennio Morricone.
Q: What’s your dream, career wise?
A: To be able to create everything I dream of; such as a coat collection, a shoe collection, a film, a sculpture, a collection of sunglasses, and a collection of handbags. When I feel like it and to do it in an intelligent, qualitative and creative manner.
Q: If you had to do something else, what would it be?
A: The same, but in another genre. Maybe become a sculptor, and work with stone, marble and clay instead of fabrics.
Q: What lies ahead for students trying to make it in fashion today, compared to 10 or 20 years ago?
A: Depends in which way you want to make it in fashion. I have the feeling that the fashion industry has become very big and on a certain level maybe less accessible. But I also feel that everything is possible if you work for it.
