Tom Ford —
Men and all matters masculine take the lion’s share of the February issue. Manly painter John Currin, renowned for his depictions of big-boobed dames, fires the questions at Tom Ford. Ford’s return to fashion is naturally a big deal, particularly on the American scene where he so seriously influenced the fashion landscape from the 1990’s onwards until his unexpected departure for Hollywood. And just to ensure that there’s a certain gender balance in it all, a sexy photo shoot focussing heavily on Ford’s womenswear accompanies the interview.
Other guys who receive the Interview treatment in this big boys’ issue include R&B star R. Kelly and designer par excellence Haider Ackermann. The former’s conversation with Will Oldham covers everything from the Baldwin brothers and Michael Jackson to his dislike of air travel. The latter’s intimate chat with Tilda Swinton reveals that the Colombian-born design sensation is particularly pleased with his current lot and that his notion of the ultimate luxury is far less materialistic than that of the average Joe.
There’s even a colourful gender-bending fashion story that explores the idea of the urban warrior as a motif in women’s Spring fashions, strongly influenced by menswear and popping up in such salubrious collections as those emanating from Balenciaga.
Needless to say, there are also all the usual regular features zooming in on the glamourous, hip and influential passing through Interview’s hallowed hall of fame.
February 2011 132 Pages
Tom Ford Haider Ackermann R.Kelly Shiloh Fernandez Rick Rubin Baptise Bath house Street Fashion Bradford Cox Rosamund Pike The Borgias Pierre Huyghe
Fabien Baron
Karl Templer
Stephen Mooallem
Aurelie Pellissier
Our Take —
Interview is in a category all of its own. Originating as Andy Warhol’s ultimate Pop Art gesture –the vehicle through which Andy might provide everyone with those legendary fifteen minutes of fame- Interview has managed to negotiate the tricky responsibility for any magazine originating as an art work. And it has largely prospered and triumphed in its salubrious history since its first appearance in 1969. Understandably tightly controlled by Warhol and his acolytes until nearly the end of the famed artist’s life, Interview has been kept on track by the same publishing house that acquired the title in 1987 shortly after Warhol’s death.
Living up to the singular spirit, flair and visual power of a magazine once produced by an artist famed for his stark, direct portraiture and his equally creative gang of collaborators can never be an easy task. Yet, somehow, even without Warhol, Interview has managed to encapsulate that very specific heady mix of celebrity, art, fashion, film and, needless to say, interviews. Interview continues to read like a who’s who of the hip and cool, a very particular publication built on the long experience of time spent at the coal face of chic.
Photography Lifestyle Fashion Design Culture Art
interviewmagazine.com
