OUTBACK WITH….DIANE PERNET
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Diane Pernet has been described as a ‘Godmother’ within the fashion world but to me she is more of a goddess. I first saw her when a friend I regularly stalk on Facebook, went for dinner with her and posted a photo from the evening. I was totally intrigued, as you would be when she looks as incredible as she does.
Diane initially came into the public eye with her fashion line which she launched in New York during the 1980s. Later moving into Fashion Journalism, Diane then set up one of the most important fashion sites - A Shaded View On Fashion. She’s now gone on to extend the brand with the A Shaded View On Fashion Film festival. See below for more info…
http://www.ashadedviewonfashion.com/
http://www.ashadedviewonfashionfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DianePernet
What’s your earliest fashion memory?
A little yellow cartwheel dress with zig zag trim that my grandmother made for my sister and I. I loved it. I felt like a dancer in it and remember twirling around in it with the skirt flying around me like a saucer. It was so eye-opening how something like that could instantly transform your mood.
What look that has been dead and buried would you like to see make a resurgence?
Well, as far as I’m concerned, if a look is really good, then it hasn’t been dead or buried because there will always be someone out there to appreciate it. Having said that, I’ve always loved 1940s-era shoulder pads which have been revived and revived but not so much in recent seasons.
What is your fondest memory of New York in the 80s?
Meeting my friend Brian Beker. There were many great memories but, one night after dinner, he did something magical that shows what kind of person he was. He asked me where I’d like to go if I could go anywhere on the planet. I said I didn’t know and so he asked if I had a map. When I said that I didn’t, he told the taxi to stop at Rizzoli Book Shop and then came out with a copy of the New York Times World Atlas. We went back to my place and he told me to pick a place anywhere in the world that I wanted to go and the money would be there for me. It was pure fairytale come true. So thanks to Brian Beker, I went to Darjeeling – it was the most amazing trip staying at the Windamere Hotel, which at the time was a royal family’s place of welcome for refugees.
Aside from that there are many great memories from NYC in the 80’s but it would be too long to get into it. There was the moment when the buyers from Seibu came up to congratulate me after a show and they said that they would like to buy ‘the collection’ not just 'place an order’. I’d never heard those words before. This was a pivotal moment in my fashion career. That was pretty magical in a different way too.
Who has inspired your signature look? Do you ever feel trapped by it?
I’m my own inspiration. We are all prisoners to our own vanity. Just watch how people edit their own portraits for Instagram nowadays….
Who first called you ‘Godmother for the world’s emerging fashion talent’?
I have no idea but it is quite a title to live up to. I’m flattered of course but naturally I don’t see myself quite like that. I know that I have influence and that I’m a champion of emerging talent but….
What do you think lies in store for fashion publications?
I think we are currently witnessing the rise of printed magazines again. It’s funny but a few years ago we would walk past kiosks and it really looked like the death of print. Then about two years ago, magazines were on the rise again.
I think they will continue to exist and play around with elements that are dear to print like typeface and paper quality. Articles will be more reflective as they cannot match the instantaneous nature of the web so it has its own advantages over digital too…
With regards to social platforms, what do you think will be the next Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc? Do you have a preferred one?
At the moment, I’m really into Instagram. It took me a while to give up my blackberry but the iPhone is a bit like a toy that I am enjoying. What is next? Interactivity. We already have so much with vine, viber, gifboom…super 8 and all the many ways to improve the quality of your photos. I don’t know what’s next. Maybe interactivity through your clothes, glasses and accessories? And how materials and energy can be woven into the textiles? This could be the next big outlet. Something concrete to integrate with the digital tools…
Do you have an ultimate goal? Have you achieved it already and if so, what’s next?
I’m still building my festival, ASVOFF, and that is an ongoing process. The challenge is how to make it better year after year as it is important to keep finding new ways to improve the environment and to keep travelling around the world. I don’t think there’s usually an ultimate goal in anyone’s life – or at least that’s not how I see things. But if I were pressed to say something I suppose it would be to simply make sure I’m still inspiring and being inspired until the very end.
Who is your favourite designer and why?
a) – Deceased – Charles James
b) – Current- Rick Owens
c) – Upcoming - Aitor Throup
You’ve started ASVOFF too. Do you have a film that’s a guilty pleasure film?
I have my all-time favorite films to fall back when I need something familiar and comforting but I don’t think I really have guilty pleasures. Not when it comes to film. I don’t think so. I simply love the genre and it touches me in many ways.