I recently had the privledge of spending some time with multi-talented up and coming Brisbane designer Benjamin Ringuet. He invited me out to a beautiful property in Mt Cotton, home to photographer Rebecca Nathan, where we spent the day shooting for his next lookbook.
Having just been hand picked to showcase his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection entitled "Redemption" in the Queensland Design Innovation Show at Mercedes Brisbane Fashion Festival (MBFF) there has been much hype and talk about Ben and his bright future in fashion.
His clothes have femme fatale allure, that is both provocative, and hold as much intrigue as the designer himself. Ben took some time out from the shoot to talk about his label, the inspiration behind "Redemption" and his MBFF debut.
FR: Inspiration is a concept spoken about so often with designers, I find it quite a fascinating process. Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons talks about inspiration as being a mindset; something that comes intrinsically rather than something that can be produced or forced. What are your views on inspiration as the basis for designing a collection?
BR: Inspiration cannot be produced or forced it comes and goes when it pleases and when you least suspect it, ideas appear. It is either within you or against you. In my experience collections design themselves, through the circumstance that I am in, when I am designing. The moment you stop trying to be inspired, is the moment when inspiration will find you.
FR: You have said in the past that your label is a real translation of Ben Ringuet the person, so would you say that you look to yourself and your experiences to inspire your designs?
BR: I believe all individuals at some point express and translate elements of themselves into projects that they are working on. It’s unavoidable to leave your experiences and perceptions on anything you pour your identity into.
FR: So then what did “Redemption” mean for you as a collection? What did you hope it would represent?
BR: I wanted to offer my own view on fashion and create a collection that would really convey all my emotions and ideas artistically. I wanted to test my imagination it would produce. Redemption really represents our inner struggle to find beauty, but reveals the uncleansed reality of our tainted existence.
FR: As a designer you are clearly a creative person, do you ever find the human form restrictive? When you are not designing clothes, what do you use as a creative outlet?
BR: Designing for me isn’t a restriction; it’s a release from reality. A secret place where I can escape from my everyday surroundings, and just be honest with myself and devise. When I’m not designing I draw, paint, write, create films as well as poetry and music. All my designs come from each of these elements, so I’m not restricted to the human form.
FR: Inspiration is a concept spoken about so often with designers, I find it quite a fascinating process. Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons talks about inspiration as being a mindset; something that comes intrinsically rather than something that can be produced or forced. What are your views on inspiration as the basis for designing a collection?
BR: Inspiration cannot be produced or forced it comes and goes when it pleases and when you least suspect it, ideas appear. It is either within you or against you. In my experience collections design themselves, through the circumstance that I am in, when I am designing. The moment you stop trying to be inspired, is the moment when inspiration will find you.
FR: You have said in the past that your label is a real translation of Ben Ringuet the person, so would you say that you look to yourself and your experiences to inspire your designs?
BR: I believe all individuals at some point express and translate elements of themselves into projects that they are working on. It’s unavoidable to leave your experiences and perceptions on anything you pour your identity into.
FR: So then what did “Redemption” mean for you as a collection? What did you hope it would represent?
BR: I wanted to offer my own view on fashion and create a collection that would really convey all my emotions and ideas artistically. I wanted to test my imagination it would produce. Redemption really represents our inner struggle to find beauty, but reveals the uncleansed reality of our tainted existence.
FR: As a designer you are clearly a creative person, do you ever find the human form restrictive? When you are not designing clothes, what do you use as a creative outlet?
BR: Designing for me isn’t a restriction; it’s a release from reality. A secret place where I can escape from my everyday surroundings, and just be honest with myself and devise. When I’m not designing I draw, paint, write, create films as well as poetry and music. All my designs come from each of these elements, so I’m not restricted to the human form.
FR: As a young designer or young creative in any field for that matter, money isn’t always there straight away, actually it hardly ever is. Many work for no money for a long time before their careers take off. What have been the biggest hurdles you have had to face as a new label?
BR:Young designers and artists usually have big dreams and aspirations but don’t have the money to fund it. But if they want it bad enough, then money isn’t an issue, it should never be an issue. If you have a talent you should pursue it with everything you have, because you only live once. People who work hard for a long time without praise and glory see the bigger picture, there’s a brighter light for them at the end of the tunnel. The biggest hurdles have been learning to run and operate as a proper business.
FR: Is there any particular designer who's career you look up to?
BR: This may come as a shock, but I don’t really follow any careers of fashion designers. But if I had to pick someone I would say Gail Sorronda because she dares to be different.
FR: I've always felt like young creatives here in Brisbane are a very close knit and collaborative community that support each other in getting labels and ideas off the ground. How do you feel Brisbane has responded to your label?
BR: Brisbane does have a close artistic community but it’s still young and stereotyped. Everyone is very supportive and it’s good to have people to lean on, when needed. My debut collection is due out in September so I haven’t yet seen their response. I have had a good response from stockists throughout Brisbane. If I was going to say where I have had the best response it would be Melbourne.
FR: What pearls of wisdom have you picked up that you would pass on to other young up and coming designers?
BR: Try and develop and create your own existence in this industry. Have unrealistic goals and work hard to offer something unique and honest to yourself and the community.
FR: There has been a lot of attention and talk about Brisbane being an emerging fashion hub, what do you think of Brisbane street style in comparison to other cities that have already established themselves as fashion forward epi centres?
BR: Because of our little gadgets such as laptops and I- phones, fashion conscious individuals can go onto blogs and websites and see what everyone else is wearing in other cities when choosing outfits. Brisbane’s climate defines the way we dress because of the heat throughout most of our year. In Sydney and Melbourne the fashion differs as it alot because its cooler down south, which gives them a chance to dress more detailed with layers and accessories. Every city in Australia has its own style; you just have to pick it from the rest.
FR: So, you are showing for MBFF for the first time, this is a huge opportunity for any new designer. How do you think events like MBFF are helping the Brisbane fashion scene?
BR: I am very excited to showcase my first collection at Brisbane fashion week, is a huge opportunity to be selected to do this on my debut collection. MBFF shows the rest of Australia the talent being created in Brisbane. It’s also healthy for the general public to induldge in a week of the latest trends and fashions.
FR: What is next for Benjamin Ringuet after MBFF?
BR: I have just been selected to have my garments in the prestigious South Australian Fashion Show Noir. I also plan to finish my up and coming film for the release of Redemption that I have been working on with the courier mail.
BR: I am very excited to showcase my first collection at Brisbane fashion week, is a huge opportunity to be selected to do this on my debut collection. MBFF shows the rest of Australia the talent being created in Brisbane. It’s also healthy for the general public to induldge in a week of the latest trends and fashions.
FR: What is next for Benjamin Ringuet after MBFF?
BR: I have just been selected to have my garments in the prestigious South Australian Fashion Show Noir. I also plan to finish my up and coming film for the release of Redemption that I have been working on with the courier mail.
Benjamin Ringuet Winter/Spring will be available around September and is currently stocked in Drobe boutique; open 7days 669 Ann Street Fortitude Valley Brisbane ph: 3666 0052
Photos: A big thank you to Rebecca Nathan for taking these shots for Free Radical (http://www.rebeccanathan.com/)
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Thanks for talking to me. xx