Canvas readers, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful menswear label from Sydney, Beat Poet. I had heard whispers of their work through local boutiques but it was the girls at M.A.P who averted our eyes in the right direction of their design ideas. There’s been a void in the Australian menswear market and I think these are the boys to fill the gap. What has completely overwhelmed me about Beat Poet is their intelligence and integrity. It’s really refreshing, and quite inspiring, to come across a brand that has such a strong intellectual approach to design, particularly when these boys look so young!
CANVAS: I would like to talk about your previous fashion life as designers of German label Punk: Linie Flache. What elements have you taken from that design experience and put into Beat Poet?
Beat Poet: Punkt Linie Flache translates to ‘Point Line Plane’ the basic design elements as they extend outwards. It was taken from Kandinsky’s manifesto of the same name that explores, among other things, the relationship between musical composition and the composition of a painting. The only thread that links that project to Beat Poet is the DIY element, which is now much more disciplined than it was in those days.
I keep reading about what Beat Poet stands for…subversive elegance, sharp proportions, but the thing that stands out to me is ‘simple geometry’. Is there a maths geek hidden somewhere behind this dandy aesthetic?
Not exactly… We are interested in form, proportion, balance, order and disorder. We often use elements taken from mathematics because they point us towards the most logical outcome, concepts such as the mobius strip and the golden proportion for example.
There’s also a mysterious sort of omnipotence to some areas of maths that is intriguing, it’s very hard-line and uncompromising.
Do you consider yourselves pseudo-Australian? What forced the decision to migrate to Sydney?
We have lived most of our lives in Sydney but we maintain a healthy distance from the local culture because we enjoy the isolation of the city. Sydney is one of the youngest cities in the world especially in terms of culture and architecture and we enjoy the huge potential and optimism that the city radiates.
Do you feel that you are more successful because of the move? I don’t mean in a monetary sense, because everyone has a different measure of what success means, but somehow more fulfilled in terms of how you’re getting your ideas across?
We relate to the Belgium designers, especially those who are based in Antwerp. We are in the same position, we are isolated from the major cultural capitals and we are able to filter everything that is happening around the world through an untainted lens. We are unaffected by trends but can see what is happening elsewhere without being caught up in it. From this position it is very easy to decide what we are going to be influenced by and what is irrelevant to our direction. Because we are unaffected by local culture we are able to be more intune with the global zeitgeist. With globalisation dissolving local culture, we feel this international outlook on subculture is the only way to remain modern and relevant.
There’s been talk of creating a complete Beat Poet brand that extends beyond simple apparel attire. How close are you to fulfilling those ambitions?
We’re just starting to feel comfortable with the wardrobe so that concept of a complete brand is something we don’t want to rush. We are much more comfortable with gradual evolution than rapid expansion. Having said that we are slowly starting to explore wider design ideas: footwear, leather, installations, books etc. One at a time though, we don’t want to dilute the brand.
You refer to press material as propaganda on your site? What cause is Beat Poet trying to promote?
Our only cause is our vision of what we feel modern menswear should be about. We are intrigued by the power of manifestos and other styles of propaganda to inspire new ideas and energy in people who can relate to the concepts put forth. The power of ideas to mobilise indiviudals is quite fascinating. We find that, propaganda aside, most people understand what the brand is about just by looking at a few pieces. Our process is designed to infuse the overall concept into everything we do. You can see it in the attention to detail, the proportions, the unwillingness to compromise.
How much control do you have over how the brand is perceived and by whom?
Between the two of us we cover most aspects of our label: all patternmaking, grading, graphic design, fabrication, sales. So we feel we have the ultimate control over how the brand is perceived. As we grow we are taking more people on board which has been different for us, but very rewarding. Ultimately you have to relinquish some control over your brand, however we have been pleasantly surprised by how many people understand and respond to our aesthetic almost immediately.
Beat Poet Menswear
www.beatpoet.net
For PR enquiries please contact Management And Publicity
www.managementandpublicity.com.au
