INTER-VIEWS OF FASHION: Chloe Sevigny

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In 2007, Chloe Sevigny made her claim into the fashion world by designing a very successful like for Opening Ceremony. For A/W 09, Chloe decided to stretch her reach into menswear.

Were you surprised by the success of the first collection?
I was and the shoes did really really well. Originally we were just gonna do menswear or unisex this season but I thought we should do some girl’s shoes because I still see some of the editors wearing them. So the shoes, people really respond to. But I was really surprised. Especially for me, Opening Ceremony’s such a perfect and organic fit.

With Humberto (Leon, Opening Ceremony co-founder), we’ve always seen each other around and we go to the same parties, like the same kind of music, dance at the same clubs, have a lot of the same friends. So we just had a lot of the same references when we were designing the collection. It was a very natural fit for me.

Your first collection was inspired by your Junior High years, is your menswear from the same period?
I guess so. I was hoping that a lot of pieces were more timeless. A shirt jacket in navy, it could be from any period. We wanted to make lots of oversize jackets for girls. My favourite piece is probably the full pants. But they’re all pretty classic pieces.

You’ve appeared on the cover of L’uomo Vogue in menswear. What’s your take on androgyny?
When I was 19, 20, I had very short hair and I was very into the androgynous look. But I was much thinner then and I’ve filled out and become more of a woman now. I don’t think I could pull it off so much now. But I think the androgynous look is so beautiful. It’s one of my favorite looks on women.

You had The Slits play the party for the first collection. What music were you listening to this time around when you designed the collection?
This time around, I wouldn’t say music so much influenced it. This was more outdoorsy, preppy, alternative, bit grungy.

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