He’s observed Vivienne Westwood munch on carrots with chopsticks, witnessed Jeremy Scott dance around Boombox in a Mankini, and would like to meet Stephen Hawkins in a dark alley. These are just some of the memories and moments shared by Andrew Bannister. The creative force behind one of London’s most exiting designer labels – studio_805.
I caught up with him after his label’s debut at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week… here’s what he had to say.
Why did you decide to design under the name Studio 805 and not your own?
I like the connotations attached to it…plus my name isn’t very exciting, is it?
Also, where did the name Studio 805 come from?
It came from my old address in Leeds where I lived for the final two years of my fashion degree.
Do you primarily describe yourself as a menswear designer?
Yes in that I design for myself; but a lot of my pieces are intentionally unisex, I try not to limit my market! The more the merrier I say.
Who or what inspires you?
Me, myself and I to be honest, I’m quite shy so clothes are a language, or signal, I use to express myself. I’m continually pushing my dress sense in order to find out what I can get away with! This behaviour drives my collections and in turn my label.
Your collection reminded me of Leigh Bowery, was he an inspiration for the collection? If so, why?
Yes, in the sense that his drive was similar to that of mine mentioned above, I admire his creativeness, guts and massive sense of humour!
You worked at Vivienne Westwood for a while, did the time you worked there influence the way you design? And was she as eccentric as she appears?
Of course, but not literally, I learnt so much from the pattern cutters I worked with, especially the care and accuracy they took with pattern drafting and cutting. Getting the pattern right can make or break a garment, regardless of the fabric used. As for Vivienne, errr, a little, I can remember seeing her once eating a pile of shredded carrot with chop sticks. Is that eccentric enough?
Your slogan seems to be ‘fashioning a future’, what do think will happen within fashion in the next 5 years? And where would you like to be in that time?
Who knows, if I knew that I wouldn’t be in fashion I’d be a rich man! I’ve only just started my journey and it’s already getting terribly exciting.
Where do you currently stock? And how much do your garments typically cost?
My flat! No stockists at the moment but I did have one-off pieces at the pineal eye before it closed. I’m working to private orders at the moment but will be looking at stockists climbing aboard this year. Price wise it depends…they have a high finish and some pieces are more complicated/time consuming to make…vests from £60, through to shirts from £120, trousers from £150 and ending at tailored jackets from £400.
On your myspace page there are photos from the now legendry Boombox. What was it like to be in a place full of so many creative people? And did any of them have an impact on the way you think and create your garments?
I really miss boombox…it’s one of those times in your life that passes by far too quickly but will always be with you…it was just an honest, crazy laugh! No impact on my designs but when out clubbing i always dress by the same rule: not to wear the same outfit twice. It’s a tough brief but one that always gets results!
Do you have any stories you can share about your experience there?
None that I can remember - hang on - Jeremy Scott and a low cut men’s swimsuit spring to mind! Best leave it there!
You once studied chemical engineering, only slightly different to fashion, what made you change career and design?
The fear of being trapped on an oil refinery for the rest of my life…a boiler suit and hard had is not a good look!
Is there anything else you would like to add at all?
Don’t mix black and brown
And lastly… Steven Hawkins in a Dark alley???
No comment!
I caught up with him after his label’s debut at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week… here’s what he had to say.
Why did you decide to design under the name Studio 805 and not your own?
I like the connotations attached to it…plus my name isn’t very exciting, is it?
Also, where did the name Studio 805 come from?
It came from my old address in Leeds where I lived for the final two years of my fashion degree.
Do you primarily describe yourself as a menswear designer?
Yes in that I design for myself; but a lot of my pieces are intentionally unisex, I try not to limit my market! The more the merrier I say.
Who or what inspires you?
Me, myself and I to be honest, I’m quite shy so clothes are a language, or signal, I use to express myself. I’m continually pushing my dress sense in order to find out what I can get away with! This behaviour drives my collections and in turn my label.
Your collection reminded me of Leigh Bowery, was he an inspiration for the collection? If so, why?
Yes, in the sense that his drive was similar to that of mine mentioned above, I admire his creativeness, guts and massive sense of humour!
You worked at Vivienne Westwood for a while, did the time you worked there influence the way you design? And was she as eccentric as she appears?
Of course, but not literally, I learnt so much from the pattern cutters I worked with, especially the care and accuracy they took with pattern drafting and cutting. Getting the pattern right can make or break a garment, regardless of the fabric used. As for Vivienne, errr, a little, I can remember seeing her once eating a pile of shredded carrot with chop sticks. Is that eccentric enough?
Your slogan seems to be ‘fashioning a future’, what do think will happen within fashion in the next 5 years? And where would you like to be in that time?
Who knows, if I knew that I wouldn’t be in fashion I’d be a rich man! I’ve only just started my journey and it’s already getting terribly exciting.
Where do you currently stock? And how much do your garments typically cost?
My flat! No stockists at the moment but I did have one-off pieces at the pineal eye before it closed. I’m working to private orders at the moment but will be looking at stockists climbing aboard this year. Price wise it depends…they have a high finish and some pieces are more complicated/time consuming to make…vests from £60, through to shirts from £120, trousers from £150 and ending at tailored jackets from £400.
On your myspace page there are photos from the now legendry Boombox. What was it like to be in a place full of so many creative people? And did any of them have an impact on the way you think and create your garments?
I really miss boombox…it’s one of those times in your life that passes by far too quickly but will always be with you…it was just an honest, crazy laugh! No impact on my designs but when out clubbing i always dress by the same rule: not to wear the same outfit twice. It’s a tough brief but one that always gets results!
Do you have any stories you can share about your experience there?
None that I can remember - hang on - Jeremy Scott and a low cut men’s swimsuit spring to mind! Best leave it there!
You once studied chemical engineering, only slightly different to fashion, what made you change career and design?
The fear of being trapped on an oil refinery for the rest of my life…a boiler suit and hard had is not a good look!
Is there anything else you would like to add at all?
Don’t mix black and brown
And lastly… Steven Hawkins in a Dark alley???
No comment!
