Filep Motwary from the widely-read ‘Un Nouveau Ideal‘ fashion website interviewed A#6 curator Veronique Branquinho in December 2008. Here is his insight into Veronique and her creative past, present and future.

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In October 1997, longing to start her own label, Veronique Branquinho designed her first womenswear collection. Simultaneously, she designed the women’s collection for the Italian house of Ruffo Research for two seasons and participated in exhibitions all over the Belgium fashion scene (notably at Colette with Raf Simons). In January 2003, she enriched her world by adding a menswear collection. The first boutique in her name, opened in August of the same year. In 1998 she won Best Designer Award at the VH1 Fashion Awards. Late March, Earlier this year, Branquinho’s work retrospective opened it’s doors at the Fashion Museum of Antwerp (MoMU). The exhibition entitled Moi, Veronique: Branquinho Toute Nue (I, Veronique: Branquinho Totally Naked) exposed the designer’s clothing and references from the last decade. This conversation took place a few days before entering 2009.

Filep Motwary: You expressed interest in ARTS when starting your career. How did you finally chose to devote yourself in Fashion?

VERONIQUE BRANQUINHO: It was in the late 80’s, when I discovered the work of the Belgian Six that I started being interested in fashion.
I admired the work of Dirk Van Saene en Martin Margiela.
They spoke a language that I could understand, and most of all, could feel.
I wanted to communicate on the same way.
Before that, fashion just was something that belonged to another world.

FM: The memory of your Spring Summer 2005 collection is still haunting me. It was the only Branquinho show I attended so far and the soundtrack, OMD’s “Dream of me” has become on of my favorite songs since that day. If I close my eyes, I can see it all again. Tell me, how difficult is to create a good presentation, something as memorable as this, so cinematic, poetic and yet such a powerful effect at the same time?

VB: Thanks. For me, fashion is not only about creating clothes but most of all about creating a universe. The women, the music, the setting, the clothes are all equally important to me.
All these elements together make that you can create the right emotion.

FM: Your work looks as something very personal, yet has a clear Belgian identity. Why do you think Belgian fashion made such a strong impact , back in the late 1980’s and still continue to ROCK the world , by being so individual, to this day?

VB: All Belgian designers are very different and make very different collections. The thing that connects them is individuality. They all do their thing, apart from trend, in good and bad times. That ‘s what makes their work incorruptible and honest.

FM: You worked very close with fellow Cypriot, stylist, Panos Yiapanis, even before he became so big. How was this relationship?

VB: In the first place we are friends, even if we met trough our work. I have good memories going to music festivals and watching movies together.

FM: You once said in an interview: “To conquer sex is much more attractive that the act itself”. What is sex for you? How does it appeal in your work?

VB: Desire is the drive to satisfaction. I love to be on the road.

FM: Earlier in 2008, you had a retrospective exhibition of your work. Its been four months since it ended. What is the taste “in your mouth”? Do you feel that your work has made a first complete circle?

VB: In fashion we are always thinking of the future.
The exhibition did allow me to make a stop and look behind. 10 years is a good time to make up the balance. To be proud of the good things and learn from the bad things.
I left my luggage behind and feel light and free for the next 10 years. I always say that my collections are like my diary. Now it’s like I finished a chapter in my book and I’m ready for a new one. A virgin white page is always inspiring.

FM: Does it tire you, this whole procedure of fashion? The collections that come one after the other, the press? Do you have moments of solitude?

VB: My relationship with the fashion system is an ambiguous one.
I feel good when I’m creating, but sometimes I feel frustrated because of the high speed deadlines. Ready or not, every six months you need to show your work to the world.
That’s why I envy other creative people like writers, painters, musicians,…, they show their novels, paintings, music,…, to the world when they think it’s ready and not because there is a new season. But on the other hand, because of the time-pressure you can react quickly on the sign of the times. And that is what fashion is about: Communication.
Alert and with the finger on the pulse.

FM: What is Romance for you and how do you think it reflects through your work?

VB: Romance is the fuel of life. Indispensable.