A Quick Q&A with Ana Locking

Spanish designer Ana Locking uses her sartorial work as just one avenue amongst many to express her artistic inclinations. She makes beautiful garments that have a core of strength build into then. Her collections underline the fact that she is a woman of deep convictions who maintains a playfully daring within her creative determination. Here Locking talks about her love of storytelling, her admiration of RuPaul and the pleasures of the simple things in life. 

A

How did you first get interested in fashion?

My mother was a dressmaker and she had a sewing workshop, so I grew up among patterns and sewing machines. Although I studied Fine Arts – and during that time I thought fashion was superficial – when I finished my studies I realized how wrong I was and that I could actually express myself through fashion. Fashion is much more than clothes.

What made you finally decide to launch out on your own and create your own line?

My need to tell stories through fashion.

What was your big break?

I wouldn’t put it down to one moment, I see my growth as a long and steady path, but maybe one of the best moments happened in my early days as an accessory designer when Patricia Field bought my whole jewelry collection for her iconic shop in New York. This led to my accessories being sold in some of the best shops in Europe.

Who inspires you?

Everything that happens around me inspires me, whether it’s the social and political situation, a book, a film, or a specific conversation I’ve heard – anything I feel is relevant can inspire me. I express myself trough my collections, all of these are a direct reflection of me, my fears, hopes, desires, etc. I’ve always been in close contact with fashion and the arts. Thanks to my father, who encouraged me to take painting lessons in my youth, I developed my interest in Art. I work in fashion, but I also collaborate with artists and museums as much as possible.

The homepage of the RuPaul website.

Who living or dead would you love to be able to have dinner with?

With David Bowie, and now with RuPaul. I’ll always admire people who have worked hard to stay true to themselves and who constantly take risks to achieve their dreams, even if sometimes it means going against the current, and if those people have a great sense of humor, then they are my heroes!

What is your favorite trip?

A road trip from east to west in the USA. I’ve always loved road movies; a trip where the journey begins when you walk out of the front door of your house and you don’t know what’s next.

When are you happiest?

Lying on my couch at home with my boyfriend, watching a good movie or series.

What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

We have just finished a very interesting interior design project – 10 vacation apartments in Málaga, called “Halcyon Days” – apart from decorating all the interiors we designed custom ceramics and rugs. The next “Halcyon Days” projects will be in Berlin and Brussels in the next two years.

What is your secret talent?

My big format charcoal drawings about the other side of a fashion show. I’m working on two series; one is about the people in front row and the other one is about when models stumble and fall on the catwalk – as a metaphor for the insecurities in this profession – one day you’re up and the next you’re down.

Ana Locking’s Charcoal Drawings

What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?

My motto is “The Most Important Thing: Love” which happens to be the title of a Zulawski film with one of my favorite actresses ever, Romy Schneider.

What emoji do you use the most?

Hmmm… maybe the red heart followed by the “flamenco dancer” in the red long dress,

What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?

@_cindysherman_

She is one of the most amazing artists I’ve ever known, despite her long trajectory, she’s still fresh, daring, cheeky, wise and funny.

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.