What if clothes could tell stories, not just keep up with trends? For Antonio Vattev, fashion is a bridge across eras, translating the rebellion of ’70s rock icons and the avant-garde into today’s world. Here Vattev talks about creating pieces with both substance and soul – clothing that goes beyond fashion and captures the energy of past subcultures, the thrill of self-expression, and his vision for a future where style is timeless, not disposable.
hube: In your opinion, what constitutes beauty in fashion? How do you navigate the subjective nature of beauty in your designs, and do you believe there is a universal element of beauty that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries?
Antonio Vattev: That’s a big question. Beauty in fashion, to me, is all about imagination – it’s the storytelling, the way you make people feel, and how you bring a smile to their faces. Beauty isn’t universal; everyone finds it differently. For me, beauty happens when a story I present gets people thinking, smiling, dreaming. Everything that makes me feel this way is beautiful.
h: Fashion is often seen as a reflection of its time, capturing the zeitgeist. How do you see your work contributing to or challenging the narrative of the current era? Do you aim to create pieces that are timeless or those that distinctly represent the present moment?
AV: I always ask myself this question at the beginning of a new collection. Today, with so many voices and influences, it’s hard to define what fashion or culture looks like. I draw inspiration from the past – how fashion elements defined eras. My goal is to introduce an element from the past but make it feel modern. It’s a fusion of timelessness with a touch of today, creating pieces that are relatable now and in the future.
h: Would it be important for you, personally, to be remembered as a timeless artist?
AV: Honestly, I don’t think about myself being remembered. It’s more about the clothes speaking for themselves. I want people to feel good wearing my clothes, now and in 10 or 15 years. This timeless magic is what I aim for, more than my own legacy.
h: How do you balance the practical aspects of wearability with the artistic and conceptual ambitions of your designs? Do you see a tension between fashion as a functional craft and fashion as an expressive art form?
AV: There’s a constant tension between practicality and artistic expression, especially in menswear. Over time, I’ve developed a structure where we start with a showpiece that expresses the core message, and then adapt elements into wearable designs. It’s about creating a world in each collection where every piece, from the statement to the practical, belongs together.