For some people the word success has turn into an entire hectic drama, some others don’t even know the meaning of this word yet, but life it’s a box full of surprises, you never know when the lucky charm is gonna hit your road. Certainly Michael Bastian‘s life is one of those; his optimism and high expectations have lead him to the place where his now, hard work and sleepless nights are an obviously synonym of his successful career trough the last years, in reward of all his work, Michael Bastian is the current winner of CFDA best Menswear Designer of 2011, plus adding more things to the list, this designer has very clear of how he wants his work to be portrayed in the fashion industry, and what he expects the next upcoming years. With a business future full of success and life full of experiences; he still works very hard to continue delivering each year the best of his aesthetic & work.
In the other hand Michael Bastian label is carried in over 35 locations in America, Canada, Japan, Europe & Middle East, in 2010 he started working in collaboration with GANT by Michael Bastian, in which he delivers menswear & womenswear collections each season, all with the same modern- classic edge that his very know for.
It is true that life can change from one day to another, but is also good to show people what you can do to get to success, Michael Bastian‘s life is a great example of how hard work can take you far in life, no matter how many ups and downs the road of success can bring, giving up seems to be an unknown word and never an option for this incredible designer.
Few days ago Michael Bastian took the time for us, and answered our questions, from his first steps into the industry, to the things he consider important in life, we are very honored to have this interview featured here in Metrovelvet.
Photo by Sean Waters
Jhon Jairo Santos: Tell us Michael where are you exactly from ?
Michael Bastian: Lyons New York, a tiny town on Lake Ontario.
JS: How’s a day in the life of Michael Bastian ?
MB: Well, If I’m on the road for work visiting factories, it’s pretty intense. If I’m in New York, it’s a little calmer. But I always seem to be just a little jetlagged all the time.
JS: Do you remember a what age you felt that your passion was being part of the fashion industry ?
MB: Well, I kinda feel my job found me and not the other way around. I never intended to be in fashion, it just kind of happened though a series of jobs I found interesting and here I am. It’s really made me a big believer in that sometimes, what you’re best at finds you.
JS: Tell us a little bit about your journey trough life, what took you to the place where you are right now?
MB: Happenstance and luck played a big part in it, that I know. I also think I’ve always been observant and intuitive and a hard worker, so that’s the other side of the coin.
JS: Did you study something related to fashion or design?, where?
MB: No; I studied Marketing at Babson College– a hard-core business school in Wellesley Massachusetts. I always thought I would end up either in advertising or on Wall Street.
JS: What’s fashion for you?
MB: It’s kind of against my nature to think about menswear and fashion in the same sentence– menswear is much more about personal style to me, and unfortunately fashion has very little to do with personal style.
JS: Any favorite fashion icons ?
MB: I love how JFK Jr. used to pull himself together. He was the best at the unstudied, modern American look for guys.
JS: Two words to describe yourself ..
MB: Obsessive and considerate– that’s a weird combo when I see it written.
JS: How was the experience to be the men’s Fashion Director at Bergdorf Goodman during 5 consecutive years?
MB: It was actually the best training I could have ever received in luxury Menswear.
JS: Tell me all about how you felt when you got nominated for the CFDA Menswear Designer of the year award, where you expecting that ?
MB: We’ve been nominated 5 times in a row (the first time was for Newcomer in Menswear) so we had all gotten to the point where we kept our expectations very low, and thennnn lighting strikes. I didn’t have a speech prepared or anything.
JS: What about the emotions during the ceremony, when they mentioned your name as winner?
MB: It’s really quite overwhelming to be standing up there in front of all of your design heros and Lady Gaga. I was genuinely dumb-struck for a few seconds there.
JS: Now tell us a little bit about what’s the men that you want to portrait in all your collections?
MB: I always think of the guy who responds to my clothes as being a little more introspective and quiet, maybe I’m just projecting my own personality on them. But whoever he is, he’s concerned with details and quality.
JS: Which do you consider the next big trend for menswear 2012 collections?
MB: I think men are going to begin dressing up more, not because they have to, but because they want to. There’s a whole generation of young guys who never had to wear a suit to work, and to them a suit is really one of the most ‘fashion’ things they can wear, I see it with the young guys who work in my office.
JS: What’s your favorite piece in your wardrobe at this moment?
MB: I’m really loving this linen double breasted jacket in charcoal with a dark green over plaid, weirdly enough it goes with everything.
JS: The last advice that Michael Bastian can give to all the young people out there with the same dreams and goals in life ?
MB: Don’t be lazy, take every job seriously, even if it isn’t your dream job. You may not even realize how much you’re learning or how handy that knowledge will be to you in the future.
ByJhon Jairo Santos
Fashion Director USA
Jsantos@Metrovelvet.com