How does your background shape your DNA as a designer?
I studied architecture and this inspired me a lot to look at design, shapes and aesthetics in a more technical and emotional way.
My ethnical background (Surinamese, mixed growing up in Holland) shaped me in a certain way where i try to bridge the gap between different people, cultures and believes. This turned into “Filling Pieces”.
How did you first discover your passion for fashion?
My mom always told me to dress well and to take care of how I would present myself. This is where the passion for fashion started at a younger age.
What has been a notable turning point in your career?
The start of our first apparel collection and building that out to become a overall fashion brand instead of a footwear brand. We wanted to expand out vision on different products and clothing felt very organic to move in to.
Also opening our first ever store.
Filling Pieces – First RTW Collection
What are your main sources of inspiration?
Traveling, talking to like minded individuals and the hunger to keep innovating. When I started, Kanye West and Pharrell were my biggest inspirations as they paved the way for the niche between high end fashion and streetwear. From a design point of view, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe really inspire me on the daily.
What are a couple of your favorite pieces from your Fall Winter 20 collection?
Most definitely the Carabiner Heels (our first ever women’s heels) and the Western Boots, both unique and boundary pushing.
What are the most attractive and appealing aspects of the Filling Pieces universe and it’s history?
That we are bridging the gap in everything we are doing.
How much do you think loafers can be a new must have in the next few years in streetwear?
Loafers are becoming bigger and more acceptable as consumers are inspired by an authentic and nostalgic feeling of their dads and grandpas.
Filling Pieces was on Colette’s brand list, during the store’s golden years. What was it like working with one of the best and most creative multi-brand stores in history?
It was a dream that became reality. Sarah Andelman and her team have been pioneers and global leaders, I will forever be grateful for their important support.
Once I was at your party during Paris Fashion Week where you played as a DJ… What is your relationship with music and how much influence does it have in your work?
Music is the biggest inspiration, as it goes hand in hand with fashion. Other than that it connects people from different worlds and believes, which is of great power.
You are undoubtedly one of the pioneers of the Amsterdam fashion movement around the world; does it make you proud?
Very proud, as we are a second generation after Patta that paved the way. My close friends of Daily Paper, Olaf Hussein and TNO are doing great and we support each other closely.
How much do you care about craftsmanship? Am I wrong or is there a lot of attention to quality?
A lot! Quality is one of our most important assets of the brand.
Congratulations on the opening of the flagship store in Amsterdam, especially since it is difficult to believe in the success of a physical store in such a complicated time due to the Covid-19 pandemic… What do you feel encompasses the future of retail experience?
Thank you! Physical and digital retail go hand in hand and are an important combo. It’s been hard to fully celebrate and translate our retail concept to the consumers, but hopefully soon we can properly open and launch the concept!
But it’s great to finally build a space that breathes our DNA and aesthetics.
How do you see social media’s role in the future of the fashion industry and especially for that of brands?
Of big importance, as it’s one of the main extensions of the brand experience.
The content needs to stay relevant and appealing to your consumers, so the challenge is to stay on top with your consumers.
What does a designer or new brand have to have in the first place to catch attention?
Be original and bring something to the market that hasn’t been done yet.
How do you see the progression of your career in relation to where you are at present?
Everyday is a new adventure and step but I’m super grateful for where we are and what we have become. But to be honest, we have big ambitions and sometimes it feels like we just got started!
Where do you hope to see Filling Pieces in the next five years?
Bigger, better and more global, with the same brand vision by continuing inspiring and renewing in our own Filling Pieces” way. By taking elements of different domains in art and make them wearable pieces
CONTACTS
Instagram: @fillingpieces | @gsrnn
Web Site: www.fillingpieces.com
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