Interview with Artist and Designer Gia
Gia is an artist through and through. For over twelve years, she’s worked in the fashion industry with luxury brands to sharpen her own profile as a professional fashion designer. Her journey took her to the fashion metropolis of Milan, where she learned from and worked with the high-end fashion brands until she finally launched her own brand LAB ACCIDENT.
What is your background? How did you end up designing your couture?
I come from an entirely artistic background, spanning from my middle school years to earning my university degree. With over 12 years of experience in luxury fashion, I’ve honed my craft as a professional fashion designer. My journey led me to Milan, Italy, where I immersed myself in the world of fashion and collaborated with various high-end brands long before embarking on my own project.
The inception of my brand, LAB ACCIDENT, was serendipitous, hence its name. Originally, I never envisioned pursuing such a venture, having primarily worked in prêt-à-porter. Social media was never my forte either. However, amidst the Covid era, I launched my Instagram account purely for the joy of sharing my passion for leather, latex, and high heels. At the time, I hadn’t started creating my own pieces. But then, driven by my exacting tastes and an inability to find accessories that met my standards, I decided to experiment with crafting collars and masks. Armed with a single piece of leather and some basic tools, what began as a hobby blossomed into a full-fledged career over the course of three years, with my leathercraft education primarily sourced from YouTube tutorials. It resonated deeply with me, reflecting my lifelong affinity for costumes and couture. Before long, inquiries from admirers about acquiring my collars and masks transformed this endeavour into a thriving business.
The name LAB ACCIDENT aptly encapsulates the unconventional genesis of my brand and the supervillain motif that pervades my work.
What is unique about leather? Why did you settle for that material?
My fondness for leather traces back to my formative years, where it became a staple in my everyday wardrobe. Its robust, empowering, and sensually charged aura resonates deeply with me. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, I admire leather’s durability, with well-crafted pieces capable of enduring a lifetime if properly cared for.
In terms of feel and working: is there a difference between vegan leather and leather?
Indeed, the disparity between leather and synthetic materials is profound. I don’t use vegan leather, I favour rubber as a more fitting alternative due to its natural properties and suitability for my designs. Unlike faux leather, which essentially amounts to plastic, rubber possesses superior durability, it can be moulded into different shapes and does’t pollute the environment.
What is so special about masks? You work a lot with masks. What is so fascinating about masks?
Quoting Oscar Wilde’s timeless wisdom from The Picture of Dorian Gray “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Masks, in particular, hold a special allure for me. They afford wearers the freedom to embody any persona they desire, transcending societal taboos and oppression. Every supervillain needs a kickass mask, I’ve got you covered, literally!
https://www.instagram.com/officially.gia
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