THE BLONDS

Interview by Marc Sifuentes | Photography by Johnny Vicari | Styling by Marc Sifuentes | Art Direction by Louis Liu

The Blonds are injecting fun, glitter, rhinestones, and life back into the fashion industry. With an undying love of all things glamorous and fabulous: the clientele of The Blonds is pretty easy to pinpoint. Born from New York nightlife culture, the fashion label is nothing short of reverential towards The Blondes before them such as Marilyn, Brigitte Bardot, and Jayne Mansfield to name a few, as well as the over-the-top camp produced by drag queens and nightlife performers. With a roster of A-list celebrity clients from Madonna to Beyonce to Miley Cyrus, their impact on fashion and performance is clearly evident. Inspired by the same musicians they dress, the duo also finds creative ideas in art, film, textiles, and pretty much all that glitters. We are always on the lookout for talent and vision which goes beyond the traditional scope, and Phillipe and David of The Blonds surely do take us to another planet where everyone is blonde, glamorous, and has a twenty-two inch waist.

How did you two meet?

David: One amazing night out in NYC.

Phillipe: I snuck out of a school dance with my best friend Olys and went to the Roxy instead. David and I spotted each other from across the room. The connection was instant, like we’d known each other forever.

David: It was like a movie, the last days of the mega clubs in New York. Magic!

How did you begin as creative partners?

Phillipe: After meeting, we started creating our own looks when we would go out.

David: The Blonds came later, but we definitely planted those seeds with that time spent experimenting on ourselves and friends.

How would you describe your brand’s aesthetic?

Phillipe: It’s all about glamour and fantasy! We want our clients to escape from the everyday and have fun with their style. You don’t have to be blonde to be Blond! It has nothing to do with your origins or look. It is meant to be a state of mind, and all about expressing yourself and injecting that glamour and fantasy into your life!

David: The Blonds are about a lifestyle, an attitude, a strong look. The corset is the centerpiece of every collection. It is the framework in which we start each season and will always play a huge role in what we create. Quite simply, it is the best way to shape the body and maintain that perfect hourglass silhouette. It is a powerful thing when someone sees themselves in a different light; we always strive to push the boundaries to make people look and feel amazing.

Phillipe: People have a tendency to forget that the core of what we do is custom made for performance. These are not something we expect someone to wear on a daily basis, even though I might! These pieces are special and they tell a story.

David: So much work, thought, time and energy goes into everything we do. From the research and experimentation through the toiles and final looks. It’s a process we take very seriously and enjoy each aspect of, but we always maintain that sense of humour about the collections. It’s all meant to be very tongue in cheek.

Phillipe: The point is that your looks change, so just have fun with them!

The Blonds are known as an over-the-top, glamorous aesthetic–what is it about the drama and performance that inspires you both?

David: We find it exciting because those dramatic moments in film, art, a concert, or life are always the most memorable and entertaining. We love being a part of those moments when the volume is turned up.

Phillipe: Which is the main reason music inspires us the most and we love what we do. It’s the ultimate outlet when we have the opportunity to work on a concert or tour.

When was the formative moment when you both decided to design a clothing line?

Phillipe: It was something we always wanted to do. Even as children growing up we’d take whatever was around us and make it wearable and fabulous. My father taught me how to sew at a young age and has been my biggest supporter since starting The Blonds.

David: Our parents were key supports and encouraged us to do and be what made us happy. Even though it was in the air around us, there was a turning point in our career and the catalyst was Patricia Field. It was her initial vote of confidence that gave us the opportunity which kick started it all. Pat has played a huge roll in our development as a brand and supported us throughout this incredible adventure.

What was your first big break as designers?

Phillipe: Beyonce wore the first corset we ever made in her “Upgrade U” video. Later we went onto do work on various performances with her incredible stylist, Ty Hunter.

David: Each time we get to work with a client is a big break because the competition in the industry is getting vicious! When we started no one was doing anything like this and a lot of people said “no”, “you’re crazy”, “who would wear that?!” etc. Now there are so many new and established designers that cater to this area of the industry. Also, there have been so many “breaks”, but make no mistake they don’t just happen, you have to work for them and make it happen. You have to focus on what it is you want, understand it, visualize it, then realize it.

Phillipe: YAS! Just go for it!

MADE Fashion Week has given us these amazing opportunities and the freedom to express ourselves however we choose without the permission of any establishment.

How did you come up with the name “The Blonds”?

Phillipe: When beginning to start the line, we were going through a “Blond Moment” (and still are), we were bleaching our hair, always shared similar obsessions, and emulated the legendary blondes of the Hollywood Golden Age, along with characters like Barbie, or Daryl Hannah in Splash. The word Blond with no “e” is the masculine version, so it’s a sort of play on the word, as most people relate that word to women.

David: Yes anything and everything to do with this idea, this feeling of being Blond. While discussing what to call the line we were stopped in our tracks by a gallery window. On display were giant Warhol paintings of Barbie and it clicked: THE BLONDS!

The fashion world is known to be tough, stressful, and blindingly fast-paced. How exactly did you break into the industry?

David: As we said there were many breaks, but it can be tough and the fashion world is running at its own pace. However, we work on the edge of this business where the reality and fantasy meet. It’s hard to define what we do in words, but at the end of the day we did things our own way and created a niche for ourselves. Thankfully we’ve been able to maintain the purity of the brand’s vision.

Phillipe: The show aspect of what we do has really become like performance art. MADE Fashion Week has given us these amazing opportunities and the freedom to express ourselves however we choose without the permission of any establishment. What Jenné Lombardo, Mazdack Rassi and Keith Baptista have created with the MADE program is something so profound.

David: We are so grateful for everything this has contributed to The Blonds success. This program defies what previously existed, it’s a revolution of creativity, a family of tribes, a place for
the rebels to run wild!

What icons do you draw inspiration from? Who is the muse behind the fun, exaggerated glamour?

Phillipe: Oh my god, seriously!? It’s so hard to list them all! From Marlene Dietrich and Josephine Baker to Cher, Grace Jones and Marilyn Monroe of course. Glamorously funny women like Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball. Any personality that has no limits where glamour is concerned!

David: Our clients are the muses, they are an endless source of inspiration like mythological goddesses or super heroes.

Your designs employ a lot of applique, embroidery, and other very interesting and elaborate design elements. What draws you to this aesthetic?

Phillipe: We’ve always been attracted to anything that reflects or refracts light, like a prism. Crystal is our favorite material to work with, because the effect is so exciting. We’re obsessed! Anything to exaggerate the body, the hourglass curve, and waist!

David: We currently work with Preciosa Crystal to create new ways of utilizing the material. Of course we’ve even implemented their range of chandelier components into some of the pieces to create depth and scale for a three dimensional quality. Most of what we create is done in an organic way, but there is an architectural element there as well.

What was your most memorable/favorite runway show you have done so far?

Phillipe: Mine of course! They have all been fun in their own ways, but our first runway show really meant the most.

David: That excitement of having that opportunity to show what you worked so hard on is thrilling. From the MAC make-up looks to the Christian Louboutins, it’s a total look. Every season is different and getting to do what we love is truly amazing!

If you could choose to work with any woman, dead or alive, who would it be?

Phillipe: Marilyn Monroe, Aaliyah, Jessica Rabbit, Amy Winehouse, or Lana Del Rey.

David: Josephine Baker, Rita Hayworth or Carmen Miranda. It would be great to work with Tina Turner, Cher or Janet Jackson one day. Diana Ross HELLO! We also love Chloe & Halle and Grimes.

What books, movies, artists, or TV shows do you find yourselves referencing the most?

Phillipe: We love artists like Dali, Kahlo, Koons and Warhol. We’re also into different types of Animation. Illustrators and Make up Artists like Kabuki. I grew up on shows like Jem and the Holograms, and She-rah, where everything sparkled and anything was possible! But music is our main inspiration and we’re total film buffs as well.

David: Almodovar, Tarantino, Wilder, Luhrmann, Marshall, Waters to name a few. We also love fantasy, science fiction, horror and gore films, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Argento, Ridley Scott… Growing up it was all about Bob Mackie’s designs from the Cher show to Wonder Woman. Currently we’re watching, and absolutely LOVE The Get Down on Netflix.

What is the most challenging part of working in a partnership?

David: Phillipe and I share a similar outlook and aesthetic when it comes to design. The few differences we have are actually an asset, and the outcomes always turn out even better than the original concepts.

Phillipe: We love working as a team creatively, because we challenge each other to make it better or more, more more. It’s everything! Plus two Blonds
are always better than one!

You’ve referenced in previous interviews that Madonna is one of your favoriteblondes, what is it about her that you love so much? What was it like when Madonna chose your designs for her “Living for Love” video?

Phillipe: We totally lost it! Madonna is everything! She’s fearless! For this project we worked closely with B. Akerlund, her Costume Designer and Stylist, to create a piece within the theme of the video. The piece was also inspired by a look from our Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

David: We admire her incredible talent and drive, the work she is doing outside the music is also very inspiring. On top of that she’s a smart, strong, independent rebel that doesn’t take shit from anyone.

Dress by The Blonds

Besides the United States, what are some other markets that are big for you?

Phillipe: We have clients all over the world: Qatar, Japan, Australia, China, Taiwan, Mexico, Korea, England…just to name a few.

David: It’s a common misconception that the US market is the only market. It’s simply not true. Every country has rock stars! Once we’ve tapped into that, it inspires our private clients in that region. It’s also interesting to see the differences in each culture and what that fan base is attracted to.

If you knew then what you know now, what would you do differently?

David: We would most likely take a similar, if not the same path in life. I really can’t see us doing anything else.

Phillipe: Absolutely no regrets!

The theme of a strong, femme fatale is heavy in the brand, where does this come from?

Phillipe: Femme fatales are usually the most complex and interesting characters in a book, film or real life; I even consider myself one. I’m completely obsessed with Catwoman and Jessica Rabbit, good girls gone bad.

David: We use narratives, real or imagined to come up with the themes or looks for a show. It makes producing these events more interesting when there is a story to tell. We enjoy mixing elements to create a paradox much like the the conflicted personality of the femme fatale. That character is the core of it all.

What is your personal definition of style?

Phillipe: Style is something that does not have a definition. It’s really up to the individual what they want to convey or feel at that moment.

David: Style is fluid like gender or any other outward expression. Clothes are not just meant to be practical, and we don’t think of our work in those terms. We prefer to live in the moment.

Where are your favorite spots for food, nightlife, and culture in New York City?

Phillipe: We frequent Indochine on a regular basis, The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market is amazing. The MET is great for research and inspiration. Even though I grew up in this city, I discover something new everyday.

David: Central Park is so gorgeous, we bike there a lot and take Fifi & Bijoux there for picnics. Sometimes we attend film festivals and concerts in Lincoln Center. It’s always great to go dancing when we can. Susanne Bartsch and LadyFag throw the most fabulous parties!

Leather Jacket by Just Cavalli | Tank Top by Ann Demeulemeester | Jeans by Diesel

New York City is so different from the rest of America in many ways, what is it about this city and its culture that inspires you? How are you affected by your experiences in the city?

Phillipe: Everything about this city is exciting because it is ever-changing. New York City is engrained in our brand’s DNA and the cultural impact only enhances that.

David: No day in New York is ever the same; it’s like sensory overload.

At Iris Covet Book we like to cast a spotlight on the good that people are doing in the world, are there any charities that you are involved in?

Phillipe: We’ve been involved with the MAC AIDS Fund and Viva Glam over many years as well as City of Hope, Life Ball, DIFFA, and amFAR.

David: HIV/AIDS is still a huge issue, and we do everything we can to support this cause, the ongoing research, and care of those in need is still so necessary. It’s an important aspect of what we do, and a responsibility that everyone should take very seriously. Anyone that’s in a position to give back needs to do so in order to make a change.

What is the next step for the brand? Any new partnerships or collaborations you can tell us about?

Phillipe: We just relaunched our website, theblonds.nyc, and we’re so excited about this new collection. There are red carpet options, and a lot of what you will see is a departure from the performance pieces, even though that will always be included. We recently collaborated with Moda Operandi on a curated trunk show, something we plan to do more of in the future.

David: This season, we focused on wearability more than ever before. The Blonds e-commerce will be up soon, making everything more accessible to our current clients and hopefully new ones! We’re looking forward to expanding the brand in diverse ways, and it’s always great to partner with brands that are not usually connected to garment design. We’re partnering with Lexus this fashion week on cars wrapped in The Blonds signature prints.

Phillipe: There are a lot of new things coming up so stay tuned!

For more information on The Blonds visit THEBLONDS.NYC or @theblondsny on instagram