Denmark
(Click to enlarge)Louise Boye Andersen is the 26-year-old Danish finalist in the H&M Design Award 2012. She recently graduated from The Danish Design School, in Copenhagen, although she currently lives in Stockholm.
Q: What inspires you at the moment?
A: The Bauhaus group, the Memphis group, graphic patterns, old Japanese kimonos, menswear, clever details, interesting color combinations, textures and materials.
Q: What do you read?
A: I’m reading Jonathan Franzen’s “Freedom” at the moment. It’s kind of boring, but I’m really stubborn, and I’m going to finish those 600 pages no matter what it takes.
Q: Less is more, or the more the merrier?
A: I usually work by combining those two, and I think the contrast is very interesting. If I had to choose, I would definitely go for “less is more”.
Q: What’s your favorite scent?
A: Freshly grounded coffee.
Q: Favorite thing to draw while talking on the phone?
A: I never draw while talking on the phone.
Q: Favorite color?
A: I really like the color “nude”, at the moment particularly in combination with dark blue or bright yellow. I’ve always liked that color.
Q: Favorite material to work with?
A: I love suede, because it brings a high quality to almost every shape. I also love silk crepe and raw silk, because it has a quality look, has a silk feel, but no Barbie Doll connotations.
Q: Describe the first item you designed.
A: I designed a skirt with lots of pleats that was very detailed and tight around the hips. I think one of my friends still has it today.
Q: Favorite fashion era, and why?
A: I admire Commes des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake for the paradigm shift they caused on the European fashion scene in the early eighties. They all have such a clever way to work with fashion, and a very refreshing take on femininity.
Q: Favorite fashion designer at the moment?
A: Dries van Noten is my all time favorite, but I could mention 100 designers who would share second place.
Q: Favorite historic fashion designer?
A: Madeline Vionnet.
Q: What do you listen to?
A: Rihanna, Robyn, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Alexander, Cat Power, Kanye West, Johnny Cash, L.O.C. I don’t have particularly “good” taste; I just like whatever makes me happy.
Q: What’s your dream, career wise?
A: I have lots of dreams and ambitions about creating beautiful objects that people will use and treasure, but I don’t have a big plan. I’m a follow-my-heart kind of girl.
Q: If you had to do something else, what would it be?
A: I think I would be an artist or a graphic designer.
Q: What lies ahead for students trying to make it in fashion today, compared to 10 or 20 years ago?
A: I have no idea really, but I think that the competition is constantly getting harder, but at the same time there are more opportunities.
