Josep Font: A Slice of Spain

From architecture to fashion, creative director of the Spanish label, Delpozo, Josep Font, talks exclusively to L’Officiel India, about the company’s vision, his journey of earning a place at the prestigious NYFW schedule, and the new surprises awaited in the brand’s language of luxury.

You started your journey as an architect and now, you’re the creative director of the 41-year-old Spanish label, Delpozo. Describe your journey so far...

L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now

I’ve always been intrigued by fashion. It is my work and my lifestyle; it is the way I express my ideas and thoughts. However, I decided to study architecture, as it was a more formal and traditional training. During that period, I started to take design courses, and I participated in a competition in Paris, which I won. Earning the Air France Mode Prix, finally made me realise that fashion was my passion. With my background in architecture, I gained insights in proportion, shape and volume, which I apply continuously throughout my designs, in every collection.

You had to fight your way in, to get a spot at the New York Fashion Week schedule. You have now showcased over five seasons. Why New York?

It was very challenging for me, to start a new chapter with a new language. I wanted to bring a fresh and modern vision to Delpozo. I respected its legacy. We wanted to preserve it, as we incorporated new symbols as well. New York was always present in our international expansion project; it’s a window to the world, and it made sense to show our collections there.

What was your vision for Delpozo?

People have responded to Delpozo very well since the beginning. As I mentioned, the global perspective of the brand was always present. However, the first show was in Madrid, in honour of its founder: a closing and starting turning point. We were lucky enough that a couple of journalists and buyers from Moda Operandi, as well as Net-A-Porter came to our show, and were fascinated with the feminine silhouettes and timeless designs. That made us confident to pursue NYFW.

How would you define the ideal Delpozo woman?

I envision a woman who has no defined nationality, age, profession or background. One of the most important things is that, she dresses for herself; not for others; and that’s where one can see how she understands fashion and what suits her best. She is very intriguing which creates an aura around her. She is delicate yet strong, and is ahead of her time. If I had to choose someone, I personally admire Jean Seberg. I love her indecency and modernity.

What inspired your FW16/17 collection?

I was inspired by the 1930s film, Metropolis by Fritz Lang, and by Daria Petrilli, an Italian digital illustrator. In her work, she combines an unsettling femininity, with the romance, even as the women she portrays are fused with a surrealist nature. Also, nature too, is very important to me; it’s my constant inspiration along with art and architecture. I wanted to portray the industrialism shown in Lang’s film, but with a feminine side to it.

What’s next for your brand?

We presented our first Resort collection in June, and are opening a boutique in London (near Sloane Square Hotel, Chelsea), which is very exciting. Hopefully, we will be launching our first fragrance, in 2018. I’ve been working on it for the past two years. Our goal is to become a reference in the luxury world.

What is your biggest motivation in your everyday workspace?

I look for inspiration in nature, art and architecture. I’m inspired by the exhibitions I visit, ballet, operas, trips I take, books I read, or anything that sparks my interest. However, watching my team work, putting so much effort and care in making our garments, that makes me very proud. Without them, we wouldn’t be achieving all this. Several artists inspire me, and I recreate this in my work for the Delpozo collections. For one of my past winter collections, I discovered a Russian painter, Andrey Remnev. I love his work. Pedro Rodríguez and Balenciaga are my main references in fashion design; I respect their work very much.

Five fun facts about you…

My father found out I was designing through a news feature of my award in Paris; I love chocolate; I have a summer home in the countryside of the Costa Brava (Catalonia); birthdays at our headquarters always end up as big party celebrations (last year for a retiring seamstress, we brought in a traditional Madrid dancers’ group called ‘chulapos’) and… I can’t start the day without my veggie juice.

From the July 2016 issue of L’Officiel India.