The London-based designer Hussein Chalayan was in Mexico City in May for the world premiere of his "Level Tunnel," another iteration of the increasingly common merging of commercial branding, fashion, and a strong marquee name. Here's what Chalayan had to say about D.F. on his first visit here, in my interview with the designer:
I feel like I’m facing a cocktail of humanity. I feel it’s a city of 10 different cities, and I’m quite overwhelmed. I find it’s completely a proper international, cosmopolitan city. I think there’s a strange Americanization as well. I guess it’s almost like Spanish imperialism has been replaced by American commercialization. But I think the city is really vibrant, there’s an incredible energy. I’m really impressed. And it feels really clean, weirdly. Like really, really clean.
Read the rest of our conversation in the current issue of Celeste magazine, where Chalayan touches on the good and bad uses of technology, today's generation of young designers, and his favorite article of clothing ("It's from my men's wear. It's called a Box Jacket. I wore it today."). The tunnel's official website reports: "2,800 people visited the tunnel in Mexico City -- everything from design school students to local celebrities -- and they seemed to agree. There was a strong sense of pride that Mexico had been chosen as the site for the world premiere."
Now, the consensus among people who saw it, as far as I heard, is that Chalayan's tunnel "experience" is impressive but ultimately does not achieve the kind of breathtaking effects we've come to expect from fashion's foremost trailblazer. Nonetheless, for me, it was a real treat to meet Chalayan, especially as he's transitioning into a new venture as creative director of Puma. Definitely expect some trippy results from that pairing.
The current issue of Celeste features also interviews with Diane Pernet, Jeremy Scott (both interviewed by Angela Esteban Librero), Vik Muniz (interviewed by Mauricio Limon), and photo stories by Napoleon Habeica, Alexandra Carr, Pablo Franco, and Valerie Phillips. (Shout-outs to editor Paola Viloria and translator James Young.)
* After its premiere in Mexico City, the "Level Tunnel by Hussein Chalayan" is scheduled to travel to Athens and Paris. Photo above from designboom.