Occasionally we neglect our male readers with a lack of substantial mens fashion posts. It’s not that we don’t care or forget, but sometimes with mens fashion it takes a little longer to find something to pique our interest. So in the interest of our readers we have found something for the boys, and for the ladies. Libertine-Libertine is a newly established label out of Copenhagen who, in less than twelve months, have found an envious list of stockists across Europe. Their look is sort of typically Danish – clean lines, subtle feel, a kind of softened style that looks effortlessly cool – but it’s definitely something with universal appeal. The concept behind the clothes comes from a design trio. Kind of like the three musketeers (but of fashion), each has a part to play in the concept, construction and presentation of their collection. We spoke with Rasmus, one third of Libertine-Libertine, about classics, collaborations and the culture of their business.
CANVAS: One would have to assume all three of you have worked in the fashion industry, or at least a creative, business-minded industry, at some point.
Libertine-Libertine: We all have our basic back grounds in the fashion industry but in completely different areas. Pernille has been a design executive for some years now & Peter has studied philosophy in the creative industries and worked with various projects. My own back ground lies within music, sales & communications.
In ten months you’ve manage to establish the label in twelve different markets. Why do you think the label had such a strong start-up?
We launched the brand in Paris last summer and felt immediately that people were ready and on the look-out for a newcomer on the scene and having a narrow, focused first line and a strong philosophy behind the brand quickly gained us some great renowned stores all over Europe. Also, there is no doubt that our constant traveling the past 10 months has contributed strongly to the platform we have established. It is hard and time consuming work but we love every minute.
A libertine is someone who would be considered ‘morally unrestrained’. Is it that you’re all a little naughty?
In many ways, yes. We were all very bored with the industry standards before we started Libertine-Libertine and wanted to establish and implement an agenda of our own – show that it is indeed possible to do things differently and to avoid the horrible fashion hierarchy.
Is the collection maybe an idea of what you think is right and wrong, but in a fashion sense?
Definitely not. That would too big an interpretation.
What does the name mean to you, and how did you find each other and start the label?
The name was born during a long stay in Paris after long strolls, hours of conversation & a few glasses of red wine. We all have a special connection to that sinful city and the name captures a lot of the emotions associated with it. We wanted a name that would allow us freedom to pursue whatever project we felt like doing no matter the direction – with other words; no restrictions.
Your aesthetics are driven by contemporary culture, literature, art and music. Who or what encouraged the ideas for winter?
For the AW10 season we have done a collaboration with two British artists Sacha Maric & Tom Gottelier. We built these amazing contraptions out of gathered wooden pallets and recycled materials and worked day and night screwing them together. The project was born out of sketches Sacha Maric, a long term collaborator and friend, did late autumn last year and we were immediately drawn towards the playful and determined atmosphere in the ideas. There is an exciting and intriguing perspective in the images that I am really fond of and some of the pieces are quite sculptural in real life.
Was there a distinct reference from any of the above that threads through the collection?
We wanted to show productivity, passion & determination – all positive values. I think it shows in the collection with colourful polka dots, checks & lining details plus the great print series done together with Mathias Høg from Shredsled Society. The main inspiration for the collection is drawn from our strong roots in street culture and one of the ambitions was to create a collection that defines a casual & masculine style on the men’s part whereas the women’s line captures a versatility in style and contains both maritime & casual pieces, as well as a darker and more sexy side.
You talk about consciousness and existentialism. Do you consider yourselves philosophers of design? How does the search for meaning, or the idea of freedom and responsibility translate through your clothes?
No, not of design. That would be an overstatement, but we are conscious people when it comes to the way we grasp our work. It is very important to see this as a journey, an adventure for good or ill and we value all the experiences that follow with this line of work highly. This mind set follows the collections for sure. We mainly use durable and heavier fabrics and include hobo inspired details such as torn patches on the knits etc. so there is definitely a feeling of hitting the road Kerouac style in our clothes.
