Crafting A New Path

Paris-based designer Kevin Germanier is known for redefining sustainable fashion by using only upcycled materials. Here, he reveals how a six-month stint in Hong Kong shaped his creative process

- Justine Lee

The fashion industry gets a bad rap for wasting materials by the tonne, a pressing issue that 27-year-old Kevin Germanier is tackling headon. The Swiss-born, Paris-based designer creates high-octane, unapologetically glamorous dresses and separates—all of which are made entirely from materials that otherwise would have been discarded. Germanier’s pieces are worn by celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Björk and K-pop sensation Sunmi—helping to push his particular brand of luxe sustainability into the spotlight and proving there’s far more to ecofriendly fashion than organic linen.

How did you get into fashion?

I grew up in Switzerland in a rather traditional family. It was a very controlled environment where everything looked perfect. I started my schooling in fashion at Geneva School of Art and Design and, unbeknown to my parents, I applied to Central Saint Martins when I was 20. It was after seven rounds of interviews that I was finally accepted. I looked up to a lot of designers that came from the school, such as John Galliano, Riccardo Tisci, Stella McCartney and Mary Katrantzou, so I was ecstatic. My parents were upset at first when I told them, but they let me go under the condition I would finance my studies there.

How did Central Saint Martins influence you?

It was a rigorous programme and I remember making my first samples of garments with duvet covers, sheets and leftover fabrics or recycled fabrics from my flatmate’s previous projects. That was really how I started looking at upcycling.

The process was very organic; I was broke and looked around to see what materials I could repurpose.

How does restricting yourself to upcycling materials affect the design process?