Angela Hooker

Reporting for you from the far away town called Franklin, Tennessee i had the luck of getting a hold of a designer based in London.

Angela Hooker.

We contacted her via myspace and she responded and said she would be interested in doing an interview. Said - did.

After showcasing her CSM graduation collection in 2006 Angela has been working in the industry and we do think quite successfully. In January of 2007, only one year after graduation, she had her first exhibition and the KIRON Gallery in Paris. Same year different month Hooker was invited to the Exhibition a la MAC, Maison des Arts de Creteil.

What a year but there was more to come. in 2008 Angela took up her skills as Illustrator. 

She designed the cover of various music artists such as Revolve. She is writing a children's book at the moment.

Ever since she has been designing for artists/musicians and since 2009 she is a textile designer for Felder-Felder (a Label that i will speak about later).

But before we start let me give this statement. 

Angela Hooker is a talent that we really don't see every day and we think that this girl has great and outstanding talent for the business. 

Was Fashion your lifetime dream?

- Always had a instinct for it. Drawing wedding dresses for my friends in school brakes since I'm 7 years old. 
I saw an exhibition of Issey Miyake in Paris (fondation Cartier), he showed me how fashion could be art too.
After this I watched a documentary of Saint Martin's School showing the political "vail" collection of Hussein Chalayan graduation show, again proved you could express your ideas of the world on the catwalk too. I felt i could do it too.

what would you have done instead?

- Instead of fashion i probably would have worked in advertisement, designing logos, slogans...etc. 

Now Angela, when i look at your designs i see a lot of country looking at me. mixed with rock and roll and bohemè Parisian prostitute. Is there something true about my interpretation or am i totally mistaken?

- My latest collection brings to life a children story book I wrote (A young girl traveling on a sailing boat through different scenery's). The rest emanates from my life experience, traveling from Paris to Rye, East Sussex in England, on a boat more then a 100 times since I am born. And all the Mountains I have been camping at (Alpes, France, Italy, suisse). The rolling stones are my top band, the first CD i ever possessed, I am afraid they influence my work too. So yes you are mostly right Mark.

When did you decide that you want to go to Central st. Martins?

- I decided to go St. Martin's when I saw this documentary the year before hand 2005, with Husseyn Chalayan "veil" collection I was well impressed and did not see myself anywhere else if I wished to persue a fashion (not even Parisian fashion school tempted me after this TV programme on Arte)

Who would you say inspires you the most. Or what do you need to be creative?

- What inspires me the most are landscapes, from rocky mountains, majectuous forest, to old castle, cranes, the city.
I am a big fan on Spanish 17 century naive painting, I use it as a palette, a map to design textiles, Picasso inspires me tremendously too. I admire Victorian time fashion and military costumes from around the world.
Since I start to work with musicians (for their flyer, animations, CD covers...etc) music adds now a big dynamic to my work.

What are your plans for the future?

- My plan for this year is to published my latest children's book. And start a children's clothing label from the age of 3 till 6 years old - I am also working on production for designers; I wish to carry on that too, create for them some unique hand made textiles - carry on the occasional made to measure; from stage outfits or suits I do.

Thank you Angela for taking the time :)

MB