Hello Jantine, I am honour to be able to feature you on the site today. I am excited because your collection has really captured my attention! I do have a few questions to ask you so let's start off with this one: out of all the fashion schools in the world, what was the main reason why you chose to study fashion design at Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp?
The Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp was a great academy for me as I wanted to feel the freedom of creating without too many restrictions due to the fashion world. At the Antwerp Academy I felt completely free to create whatever I wanted, of course with the great coaching of my teachers. The high level artistic approach was important to me to develop my own views. Also, the city of Antwerp feels anonymous and free, which attracts me to this city. It is all about your own evolution in work and life in general.
You are right, I always think the students at Antwerp Academy have a more artistic approach on fashion designs and this is probably one of the main reasons I like to see the year end show a lot! Speaking of artistic approach, do you consider yourself as an artist? If you did not study fashion, do you think you would still be working in the arts and fashion field?
I don't really think of myself as an artist neither as a fashion designer. I find it difficult to put a name on it. I was working as a fashion designer at the time and I am grateful for the years at the Antwerp Academy. However, I feel attracted to a lot of disciplines and because of that, I presume my work will evolve probably in a different direction. I would love to develop my work more in a sculptural and architectural way, without being restricted and with the freedom of an independent artist.
I can see your clothes are inspired by the architectural way and I am actually looking forward to see what you will be doing in the future. After creating a few collections during your stay at Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, is there a particular signature element that can represent your brand?
Through my studies I discovered my love for handcraft, yarns and threats and building constructions out of them around a body. I will certainly work further around this as it feels like writing. I love to write by hand on paper and I love to work in 3D with my own two hands. The intimacy between my work and myself is very important to me. There are so many ways to explore the world that it feels like a never-ending story and with this collection I just wrote the first chapter.
If this collection is only the first chapter of your designer's life, I have a very good feeling the up coming chapters will continue to be amazing and I am looking forward to see your skills to evolve! Now let's get back to your graduation collection, what sparked you to create it? Was there a story behind it?
For this couture collection, I was strongly influenced by the textile sculptures from the 1970's and specifically the macramé-technique. That was the starting point to construct pieces of clothing out of cord and yarn, straight from the body and using only one type of knot. The collection consists of 12 complex and labour intensive pieces, sometimes completely knotted and sometimes the macramé is integrated in the garments. My main focus is to find the daring symbiosis between the handcrafted pieces and the minimalistic, pure designs of the garments. The silhouettes are both rich and refined, centered around the fragile yet firm constructions.
When I first looked at your collection, I was amazed by the construction of the pieces. Your pieces are something I rarely see in the fashion scene so they are very fresh to me! If you could team up with an accessory brand to enhance your collection, which brand would you choose? What kind of products would you want to produce?
I find it difficult to mention a brand. If I would have the possibilities to produce accessories I would like to focus on gloves and jewelry. My collection consists of knotted pieces as well of translations of these pieces. It can be interesting to take these translations and work further around them.
Somehow, I feel like Bottega Veneta's weaving accessories will work well with your collection but that's just my opinion. Last but not least, now you have graduated, what is your next step for your fashion career?
I am currently working on a new project, the next chapter. No fashion label coming up but gaining more experience and discovering the possibilities I have with my work are the things to do for me right now. Meanwhile I am still working on a few projects with my graduation collection and I also keep my eyes open for collaborations and jobs.
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After some intense questions, now it is time for some fun trivia questions for Jantine. Let's read what are her favourite things!Country:
Belgium
Drinks:
Wine
Fashion Designer:
Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Couture
Color:
Black
Quote:
“I don't need much, but this, I need” (PJ Harvey)
Snack:
Homebaked cake
Material:
Leather & yarns
Month:
June
Musician:
PJ Harvey
Season:
Spring
It's truly an honour to be able to interview Jantine van Peski this week and I am looking forward to see her next chapter in her designer's life. I wish her all the best and I will keep you posted when I have more news from her. All photos are courtesy of Jantine van Peski.
Stay tuned to see who I will be featuring from Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp next week!
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