Interview - Clarence de Vil

It's WYSIWYG Wednesday on Incognito, so basically What You See Is What You Get. And today you get to know Clarence De Vil, a young american DIY designer.

Photo credit : Monsieur Jerome

CLARENCE DE VIL - Interview

D.I.Y Designer : Clarence de Vil ( Jonathan Spence, Age 21)
Location : Manhattan, New York City 
Contact : Facebook / Tumblr / Twitter  / Instagram
Photographers sites : Monsieur Jerome & Rich Cat Events

Clarence please tell us who you are.

In the insanely abstract times of tumblr and digital advertising basically dominated by coffee drinkers and cig smokers I like to think of myself as a revelation; a man that's risky, daring, polite and not afraid to push boundaries...a young designer with abstract ambitions.

How did you come to fashion design? And what do you like about it ?

I've always done well in school and showed commitment as a creative being. After living in three different cities consecutively for the past three years and creating a network nationally and internationally it was the friends that I made and I hung out with faithfully during my first summer in NYC in 2011 that drove me to get into fashion design. Everyone that I surrounded myself with was driven to be someone creatively. Whether it was a painter, singer, song writer, creative director or a graphic designer they all encouraged each other to become the person beyond the being that we saw in each other. I always had an eclectic since of style but, I never thought about being a designer. I love the fact that I can stand for something through clothing.

Can you describe your personal style?

My personal style is something alien. I would say that my style is relative to 90s Givenchy & Etro 2010 with a pinch of Caribbean and Egyptian inspiration. I'm a huge fan of mixing patterns. I know people look and wonder, "why?" When I get dressed in the morning I don't get dressed to fish for compliments. Honestly, I just throw something together, make sure that I'm in love with it and walk outside. My style used to be relative to my creations but, over time (a year), my style has become more Clarence de Vil.

Photo credit : Monsieur Jerome

Can you tell us about your creations? Does your personal style influence your creations ?

My creations are all books. Each series I am creating is a library. While I have a muse, Akira Adel that wears all of my pieces each piece is given to a certain person that represents the piece best. Right now I'm currently working on a piece called Love for the denim and bone series. Photos of "love" will be coming soon. The presented in this interview is the pisces vest. The title and the piece speak for themselves. 

Clarence and Akira Adel wearing the Pisces vest  Photo credit : Richcat

I have heard about your muse and seen an interview about how you met and how she became your muse. But reading your second answer, I have the impression that the pieces you create are very personal as only certain people have model, wear them.
Can you explain to our readers why Akira Adel is your muse ?

I chose Akira as my muse the moment that I saw her. When I met her we had an energy that was fluid. We went out to W.I.P one night while I was living in Tribeca, NYC and it was the first time she wore the pisces vest. The moment she slipped into the piece she became my Liza Minnelli and I, her Halston (considered one of America's first designers world wide).

New Release Akira Adel, Clarence's muse Photo credit : Richcat

Do you picture some people wearing your creations while making them ?

I don't see a certain person in my clothing when I'm creating. I see a vault with my story.

Each piece is a certain story. Once the piece is made I wait til I run into someone that fits the piece. I don't necessarily look for models. I aim to meet someone real that's filled the emotion that I felt while creating the a specific piece.

Clarence, you definitely don't lack style. Thank you for your time and we look forward to see your next designs ! 

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