Fashionrework's Blog

There are few people as artists who stop me in my tracks and Andre Judd is just one of those people. Andre Judd is someone who fascinates me with both his visual stylist and designer abilities but also on a very intellectual level with his inspiration sources and creative process. Judd has a look that both captures interest and immediately draws you in on an addictive level, his blonde hair seems like the golden filament from angel’s wings because it glows like a halo around his head simultaneously his chiseled features and distinguished jaw line draw one’s attention to his piercing eyes that are framed by his intensely dark eyebrows that seem both suggestive and powerful. However, what captivates me more are his immense artistic abilities, which seem to overflow with ideas and contrasts so intricate and unique that each one of his looks and images is absolutely beautiful.

Judd sources inspiration from an array of places including psychology, movies, and various Asian cultures. With so many sources of inspiration, Judd has a beautiful ability to blend many of them into a cohesive look that often time reveals something surprising. It is Judd’s sense of structure and taking things apart that also creates dynamic looks incomparable to anything I’ve seen. He seeks to deconstruct the norm and put things into an unconventional new paradigm that breathes new synthesis for all. Often times, music and lyrics pull him into moods and places he builds off of lending the viewer a window to his thoughts in a way that dressing no longer becomes a necessity or a trend/fad, but it becomes a canvas on which he successfully builds on by incorporating bits of texture, complexity, diversity, culture and color all into one stunning look.  What I love the most about Andre Judd is his talent to intellectualize something as different as art periods, various moments in history, the psychological makeup of human nature, pop music, pastries, sweets, religious traditions and various movies all with a dramatic flair.

As Judd explains himself in the following interview, inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere and he is unbounded by conventional limitations which makes him an artist/designer/stylist to keep your eyes out for because Andre Judd exudes the type of creative genius that is explosive, stimulating and at the same time destroys taboos about artistic mediums and conventional ways to use them.

Fashion ReWork: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live and what you do.
Andre Judd: Hi! I’m Andre Judd. I’m from Manila, Philippines and I’m an accessories designer/stylist.

Fashion ReWork: Describe your style.
Andre Judd: I consider myself a postmodernist:)

Fashion ReWork: What role do you identify with the most? Artist, designer, stylist or something else?
Andre Judd: That’s a good question. Because I love fashion and art, these titles are mere extensions of my personality. So from time to time I switch roles and I love doing them equally.

Fashion ReWork: What inspires you? What inspires your looks and designs?
Andre Judd: From people, places, music, art, fashion, emotion, a letter, a book, a film, a conversation, beaches, sunsets, etc. I find something inspiringly beautiful in everything:)

Fashion ReWork: How did you get into styling or Lookbook? Why did you get into styling or fashion (design)?
Andre Judd: I was not really keen in joining lookbook back in 2010 because I’m stubborn when it comes to new technology. But in the back of my mind I couldn’t resist the idea that you can post your looks online and share it to a global audience. My good friend Rafi invited me to join because she knew this was a good platform for me. And she was right.I love fashion (as cliché as it may sound) ever since I was young. Fashion designing was my goal back then but as I worked in the industry I realized I love styling too. I didn’t know it was something you can work on as a profession. I like both these professions because I like the idea of creating imagery/designs.

Fashion ReWork: What is it about Lookbook that you like and are there other forums that you use to promote yourself? Do you have a site or blog?
Andre Judd: I meet a lot of amazing people in lookbook so it is a good social networking site Currently it is one of the sites I put my focus on but I have other plans this year like open a blog so I can put my works there.

Fashion ReWork: Who takes your photos? What do they shoot with?
Andre Judd: Most of the time my product development officer, Cheka. She’s good at taking my best angles haha.:) She uses my dependable Canon ixus.

Fashion ReWork: Where do you like to shop? What designers and brands do you like the most?
Andre Judd: I’m an avid supporter of local design talent and most of my clothes are from their collections. Some pieces I have them custom made. Our country still has this amazing custom-made culture where designers sketch their designs for their clients and the clients would have them made. It’s a very personalized service, which you rarely find anywhere else except couture houses in Europe or in the Middle East.

Fashion ReWork: Describe a typical day.

Andre Judd:

7:00 am: wake up, take shower, go to the office

8:00 am: Have a pow wow session with my team. Discuss the schedules for the day e.g.appointment with suppliers, etc.

8:30-12 noon: discuss samples and revisions with my team and with the suppliers

12:00noon – 1:00pm: lunch

1:00 pm – 6:00pm: corporate meetings, presentations, supplier meetings, research at my desk, creating new designs, etc.

6:00 pm: head home

Above is like a typical day at work but on certain occasions my schedule changes if I am doing a shoot on the weekends:) When I get home I usually work on my lookbook and watch films. But I love watching new films when they’re shown in cinemas so I go out with my friends.

Fashion ReWork: Any tips for fashion students?
Andre Judd: Always believe in yourself.

Fashion ReWork: What would you say to someone seeking fashion advice?
Andre Judd: Keep an open mind.

Fashion ReWork: What is your creative process when piecing together one of your looks?
Andre Judd: It’s never been a formula for me so I stick to my instinct. Some days I build a look on color, other days on an accessory I just purchased, another day on an artwork I’ve seen. Usually the things that inspire me end up in my looks.

FW: Where do you feel art is going? Where do you think fashion is going?
Andre Judd: Art will be more interactive. As new artists emerge from the scene, many will be exploring new materials, more complex or more reduced/simplified structures and explore a new range of topics to push a new idea.

With fashion I think, youth will still have a huge impact with how designers conceive their collections and the younger generation of designers will have a new way of appreciating heritage brands. With the Internet it has allowed the democratization of fashion so there is more accessibility to collections and a convenient way to get your works across a global audience.

Fashion ReWork: What are your passions?
Andre Judd: Traveling, embracing new cultures, meeting new friends, watching films, etc.

Fashion ReWork: How would you describe the fashion scene where you live?
Andre Judd: It is dynamic. There are so many talented people here from designers, to artists, to performers, etc.

Fashion ReWork: Do you have any fashion rules you adhere by?
Andre Judd: There is just one. Never say never. It’s an old adage but it works really well for someone who works in fashion. I realized too it is a very important rule so you can keep a youthful spirit.

Fashion ReWork: What would you say are your wardrobe basics?
Andre Judd: Hmm Id say my favorite trousers, a crisp white button down shirt, a dependable pair of sunnies and the rest it’s all just styling

To learn more about Andre Judd visit his lookbook page at http://lookbook.nu/user/66083-Andre-J