Fashion: From The CorridorInterviews
Minnesota Muse
Monday, September 21st, 2009
If ever naming someone the “Midwestern Alexander McQueen“ is mandatory, Laura Fulk will undoubtedly take the prize. Fulk, a 26-year-old designer of decidedly edgy clothing, has been part of the Minnesota underground design scene since its infancy. She debuted her first solo, ready-to-wear collection “Suffocate” last spring. Recently, she took a break from working away on her SS10 collection to discuss with me what it’s like to be an up-and-coming designer and why Midwest fashion rocks.
Q: What influences your work?
A: I’m really inspired by artists, sculptors and women in art history. Annie Oakley is another female inspiration. Alexander McQueen is by far my favorite designer; there are little touches of theatrical [in his designs], without being over-the-top. I pay attention to designers, but try not to get too much inspiration from their collections.
Q: On cakein15.com you said you wanted to work with more bands. Has that worked out for you? What bands have you worked with or hope to in the future?
A: I’ve been working with up-and-coming bands. I love it; it is a great way to get your work out there. A lot of people notice what they’re wearing on stage, and it influences their performances. I want to work with more bands, but I haven’t worked with anyone huge yet. A dream band to work with would be Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; I love her openness and her willingness to explore fashion. Santigold is another. I love girl rockers; I think they are so badass and hardcore. They’re the ideal client for me.
Q: Your style skews more cult, versus mainstream. Do you think you will ever open a store or do a collection for a store that would be more mainstream?
A: I’m all about staying off the beaten path; I’m open to everything and anything. Doing a budget line stretches your talents, and I would be open to that. I’m going to head that way, but keep my edge; it will be more ready-to-wear than what I‘ve done in the past.
Q: How would you describe your designs in three words or less?
A: Edgy and fearless.
Q: What’s the best way for people outside of Minnesota to get a hold of your designs?
A: Email is the best way to contact me. Send picture ideas for custom-made clothes to info@laurafulk.com.
Q: What do you want people to take away from your shows? Is there a message you always try to convey?
A: I’ve only done one solo show; it was such an experience. I had only done group shows prior. I want to create an experience; I want people to think, “What the heck did I just see?” I want them to walk away and keep thinking about it. I want to wow people.
Q: If you had to categorize your clothes, what genre would you label them?
A: I hate the word costume; I’ve done theatre in the past and it’s a completely different state of mind. I think of my clothes as avant-garde. I’m always trying to break the boundaries and do it bigger and better; step it up a notch. I want to transcend my “category“high-end or cult or costume, or whatever it may be.
Images via laurafulk.com
Posted in: Fashion, From The Corridor, Interviews
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Great questions and article. Fulk not only showcases edgy and strong designs she also sounds self-assured and headed towards more great things.
This stuff looks crazy. I don’t see how a person could make a living designing wholly impractical, outlandish clothing, but if that’s how she’s doing it, more power to her.
Perhaps she’s not trying to make a living and she’s simply following her passion?
Right on, Riley. Making a living and following your passion — you’ve got some pretty sweet work, yourself. Comment readers, check out http://www.thisisourwork.net.
Thanks for the kind words JuliaH! I think Laura is definitely a designer to watch in the upcoming months! And cellularbus, sometimes clothes have to be impractical and outlandish. Clothes are just as much about making a statement as they are about wearability. If you read in the article, her next collection will concentrate more on being ready to wear as opposed to purely conceptual. Keep an eye out for my review on her RTW collection this spring- I think you will enjoy it!
Hope cellularbus isn’t making a comment on the four pics above…can’t judge a book by its cover. this girl’s collection of work is amazing and will be setting trends for all one day soon!
I very much enjoy Laura’s work. She is an artist that happens to use clothing as means for expression. You’re right that trend and ready to wear are a necessity, but they don’t inspire. Laura’s work makes you look at fashion in different ways. She doesn’t conform to conventional rules or guidelines. She’s a breath of fresh air with a new point of view. Is like comparing landscapes to Picasso.