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Blog Post
ROUGH ONLINE IN CONVERSATION WITH SYLVIE MILLSTEIN
- by Yuliia Support Team Lead
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- 14 Feb, 2019
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Interview
she is a force to be reckoned with and also on a mission to empower women through her creativity. Since embarking on her own fashion label 'Hellessy', founded in 2012, Japanese- French designer Sylvie Millstein has amassed a dedicated women followers in all levels in society through her elegant, sassy, sophisticated, feminine and laidback style aesthetics. Millstein understands the modern day woman's lifestyle and because of that has managed carefully created a unique style that transcends from daywear to eveningwear. A revolution for almost every woman. ROUGH ONLINE caught up with the designer to know what the future holds for her brand and more...
ROUGH ONLINE: What Hellessy means to you? Starting from the brand name, surely it has a very personal connotation...
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: 'Hellessy' originates from my sons', Hendrix and Lennox, and my first syllables of our names. I wanted something personal, but not my name. Hellessy embodies the life I began to live after moving to New York, as a working mother always on the go you need something that translates to all aspects of your life.
ROUGH ONLINE: How would you describe Hellessy in three words?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: Colourful, Seductive and Fluid (sculpturally)
ROUGH ONLINE: You have a broad experience in luxury merchandising. How do you combine fashion business and creativity?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: After working at CHANEL for ten years, I've learned what it is that women want to wear. Design, quality, fit and cost are the key components I analysed over my career and these are now integrated into me and the way I design. Getting a good grasp of this, and considering the new lifestyle I lived after moving to New York, I wanted to put these together in a way that allows for my creativity to transpire while creating clothes that a woman can wear times and times again.
ROUGH ONLINE: There are three sources of inspiration in your designs: French, American and Japanese fashion. Which aspects do you pick from each tradition?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: The elegance from the French, minimalism from the Japanese and adventure from the Americans.
ROUGH ONLINE: Each of your collections credited some of the most renowned visual artists. I'm thinking of Robert Mapplethorpe, Slim Aarons and Helen Frankenthaler to name a few. Is art fundamental in your creative process?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: Art is a great source of inspiration for me. I like to find beauty in all aspects of design and art, transcending it from a piece on the wall to everyday life, whether that translates in my designs or my home.
ROUGH ONLINE: Would you define yourself an art lover/collector?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: Absolutely. My first purchase was Andy Warhol Campbell's Soup print. I begged my cousin, who is an art dealer in Japan, to sell it to me off his living room wall!ROUGH ONLINE: Which is Hellessy female archetype?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: The Hellessy woman is a busy, driven and accomplished woman. She exudes confidence and a sense of ease. She loves beauty in life, from art, dressing to interiors. She doesn't want a complicated wardrobe but nevertheless wants to make an impact.
ROUGH ONLINE: I think that androgyny is another key concept to describe your silhouette. How do you find a balance between feminine and masculine elements in your design?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: The core of the brand was built on sophisticated separates, such as a statement tops and tailored tapered trousers, which exude the ease of a men's wardrobe while the adorning fabric adds a touch of movement and fluidity, complementing the female figure.
ROUGH ONLINE: Your design highlights some unusual erogenous zones for women. You focus more on arms, shoulders, legs and the back, rather than hips and the neckline...
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: I like things that are really linear and flattering, just ever so slight hint at seduction. Bare shoulders are still slightly unexpected and yet very alluring.
ROUGH ONLINE: Looking backwards, how has Hellessy developed since its launch in 2012? What defines Hellessy signature now?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: The essence of Hellessy still lies in the core elements of a wardrobe, perfectly executed in luxe fabrics. The signature trompe l'oeil silhouettes, textured fabrications or bold colour combinations continue to elevate the brand.
ROUGH ONLINE: What we should expect from the next collections?
SYLVIE MILLSTEIN: For the next collections, I'd like to keep the focus on the Hellessy woman and continue to build her wardrobe by increasing the range of styles available.