Casual menswear by "A"

Andrea Pompilio

- Describe yourself as a designer/label and as a person.
- I am a happy person and have a passion for life that I express through colours and original shapes. I was fortunate in the past to work for major worldwide known ready-to-wear brands like Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Prada, Calvin Klein or Yves Saint Laurent, and thereby to develop my creativity and my business knowledge. A strong international experience paired with a desire to combine my Italian roots to my American casual way of dressing made me set up my own label.

- Do you see big difference between these both descriptions?
- I could not be different from what I express through my collections or with my label. I draw and then work my thoughts on a calico that I try on myself.

- What is the best thing about being a designer?
- To design first and foremost. To tell your story, reveal vision and ultimately to experience a relative freedom.

- Why did you choose menswear?
- I did not choose, it was intuitive, i.e, what I wanted to do at that moment and where I felt I could the best express my aesthetic taste and imagination.

- What were your very first steps to get into fashion industry?
- I never really had to take a first step, both my parents are creative and I used to spend a lot of time as a child in my grandmother’s fashion shop in Pesaro - Italy, my hometown.
Since I was born I was hooked somehow by the threads.

- What was your first created item you where proud of?
- It must have been a printed shirt or maybe a bright pair of socks. To be honest I claim my fame on every single item that bears my name.

- Where do you seek for inspiration?
- I am very much inspired by vintage and second hand shops especially the ones specialized in military dressing. My grandfather used to be an officer so this might be a reason for my interest in army vintage clothes.

- If your clothes could speak, what would they tell?
- Free your mind and your soul.

- Do you have some special rituals before you start to create?
- I am not a magician; I do some research, define my mood and translate the results on a white canvas.

- What are the basic values for you as for designer?
- To succeed as a designer, talent aside, one must be a believer and be open to what happens around him. 

- Your label “A” is very fresh and young.  Do you need to fight to get everyone’s attention?
- No, I do not like the word “fight” and do not set myself in such a frame. Of course I have to introduce myself and promote my work or my fashion vision but at the end I guess that if someone buys into my closet it has to be because he or she wants to meet Andrea Pompilio. I do not impose myself, “A” is to be taken or left. “A” is what you want it to be for you and how you want to include it in your wardrobe.
    
- If you can name it what is the biggest achievement in your whole career?
- Hopefully it is still to come.

- Future plans, dream collaborations and hopes?
- Many, but for now I would say that I am focused on consolidating my brand and the company behind it.

See more at www.AndreaPompilio.it