The Interconnected Style of Faith Connexion

In a time where artistic expressions blend, where creativity doesn’t stand alone but takes its strength from different mediums, the brand Faith Connexion makes such crucial acknowledgement in the parallel fashion world. The fashion house there finds its power in putting culture, art and social values in its creative formula. The results is a high score in terms of success and recognition.

A version of this exclusive interview first appeared in the pages of the 13th issue of ODDA Magazine.

Your brand collective has a unique identity mixing rebel and provocative designs with young and creative vibes. What is the story behind your values and inspiration?

Indeed, we have gathered a creative community whose energy is the inspiration behind our house, a boiling bucket of creative people. The main purpose behind the word ‘Connexion’ is to get people together. Obviously, Faith Connexion believes in the individual, but we are also sure that there is not only one genius. The creation needs to be feed by other people, and also by other forms of expression. The distinction of what set the designs apart is the fact that we love clothes with a pre-owned and lived-in quality, in a vintage mood. This is the main inspiration, the spirit of Faith Connexion.

You defined yourself as a “creative tribe with a multitude of inspiration.” What are the features that make your brand, not just a brand then, but a tribe?

Faith Connexion stands for diversity, we are working collectively with a tribe  of creative people to create a plural collection. Here at Faith we believe in the idea of collective creation. Our studio team brings together creatives from around the world – we have such a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, but at the same time everyone is united in the desire to work collectively towards a single goal.

It is a current hot-topic in the industry whether fashion needs or does not need cultural appropriation. Defining yourself as a tribe, your label bears an important cultural component. What are the arguments in favour of such cultural appropriation?

It’s not about cultural appropriation at all. Faith is a tribe because our philosophy is all about multiculturalism. Our team is so diverse, with designers coming from around the world contributing their unique perspectives to create a truly international style. In addition our diverse collaborations further enrich the cultural dialogue and exchange.

Faith connexion collection

One key feature of your brand is collaborating with independent artists to create certain styles and designs. How do you find and scout the creatives you are interested in collaborating with? What is the creative process behind such collaborations?

It’s amazing but actually our collaborations tend to happen really organically and spontaneously. We don’t have a specific process of searching out collaborators; it’s all about the unexpected encounters where both parties get that right feeling of a mutual creative spark.

Any future upcoming collaboration that you are excited to share with us?

We have a couple of new collaborators joining the team this season, including a well known one, but that’s all we can say for now…. You have to stay tuned !

Vetements has recently announced that it will no longer show their new collections during fashion weeks stating “We are not going to show in the classical system any more.” What are the keys for innovation and changes in the fashion industry? What is your brand’s recipe in this regard?

Generally these days what’s important is individuality and staying true to one’s own personality. People don’t want to follow the crowd anymore, they want to stand out from it. It’s the same for brands, including Faith. We are constantly exploring and self-questioning our brand DNA and the most important is to stay true to ourselves and do what works for us.

What kind of impact does your brand aim at having on your customers’ way of expressing themselves?

Faith Connexion is first and foremost and all about style and attitude. What defines us is the way people make our clothes their own, and how they communicate our vision. We always have in mind an independent person who is out of cultural, social and fashion diktats. A person who has a strong character, who assume its choices. We hope Faith Connexion helps to reveal and reinforce that character.

Which stars and international personalities have best worn your design and authentically interpreted your style?

Many personalities have worn Faith Connexion since the beginning, including Rihanna, Kanye West, The Kardashian, Daria Werbowy, … Those who wear Faith best are those who make our clothes their own. We particularly like to see our clothes mixed and matched with other styles in a natural way, the way people dress in real life… nothing too « styled »

In an interview with BOF in 2015 Alexandre Allard, your chief executive officer, has stated your brand’s success was based on embracing a shift in the fashion paradigm. Can you explain us the key foundations of such unconventional business model?

The foundation of the Faith model is a collective approach. By bringing together our tribe of designers from around the world, in addition to a constantly shifting group of international collaborators from diverse genres beyond the traditional fashion circles, we are shifting the creative process. The era of one star designer who leads the whole brand is finished, discarded in favour of this new multifaceted approach which ensures a constant evolution and freshness in the brand story.

What have been the most major breakthrough moments in the history and growth of your label?

At Faith we believe that the best moments are those which are yet to be experienced 😉

Federica Pantana

Federica Pantana is a lawyer, freelance writer and poet based in New York City. She has been writing poetry since the age of eight. Her first collection of poems (in Italian and English) is available on Amazon Kindle. Another collection of her most recent poetry is in the making. In the past few years, she has been contributing to ODDA Magazine and other fashion magazines. In light of her interest for fashion writing and photography, she is currently working on a fashion & art photography magazine that will be released in early 2018.