UK
(Click to enlarge)Stine Riis is the 28-year-old finalist from the British schools in the H&M Design Award 2012. She recently graduated from London College of Fashion, and is currently living in Copenhagen.
Q: What inspires you at the moment?
A: English sculptor Thomas Houseago, Guy Bourdin, Vilhelm Hammershøi, Finn Juhl & Wegner.
Q: What do you read?
A: I really read too little these days, mostly the newspaper on Sundays. The latest book I read was ’Just Kids’ by Patti Smith. I’m planning to read Siri Husvedt book ‘The Summer Without Men’ when my mom finishes it. I really enjoyed ‘What I loved’.
Q: Less is more, or the more the merrier?
A: Less is more, definitely. Being Danish, I have the legacy of Wegner, Finn Juhl, Thorvaldsen and Hammershøi to rely on.
Q: What’s your favorite scent?
A: Philosykos by Diptyque, it smells like a fig tree and reminds me of summer.
Q: Favorite thing to draw while talking on the phone?
A: Usually I walk in circles when I’m on the phone, just can’t sit still. If I happen to have a pen and a paper in front of me, I draw all sorts of patterns with squares and triangles.
Q: Favorite color?
A: I don’t have one, but many. I love color and to combine colors. I started with watercolors when I was quite young, and I would spend hours blending and experimenting with different color combinations.
Q: Favorite material to work with?
A: Again, I have more than one. Each material has its advantages and limits and it’s playing with these limits that is exciting and keeps the ideas coming.
Q: Describe the first item you designed.
A: I think it was a hat that I sewed on my mother’s sewing machine when I was seven years old. I used foam and fabric and the shape was quite odd. It wasn’t nice, but definitely different.
Q: Favorite fashion era, and why?
A: At the moment I’m obsessed with pocket details and straps inspired by the chic Parisians in the 50′s. Also the simplicity in the shapes of the 90’s is a favorite.
Q: Favorite fashion designer at the moment?
A: Raf Simons.
Q: Favorite historic fashion designer?
A: Yves Saint Laurent.
Q: What do listen to?
A: The Whitest Boy Alive, The Tallest Man on Earth and Malk de Kojn.
Q: What’s your dream, career wise?
A: To start my own fashion label.
Q: If you had to do something else, what would it be?
A: Architecture or furniture design, I’m a texture freak.
Q: What lies ahead for students trying to make it in fashion today, compared to 10 or 20 years ago?
A: Hard work. I don’t know how it was 10 or 20 years ago but today there are just too many students competing for the same roles and many have no choice but to work for free if they want a chance to get a paid job.
