September 30, 2011 |
FROM THE VAULT (SUMMER 2011)
Camille Miceli – The Bling Bling
“I’ve always had a creative “moteur” in me because of my education that has been very rich creatively surrounded by artists, photographers and designers.” Her education includes stints with Azzedine Alaia, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel and lastly Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton where from her cocoon as PR superstar extraordinaire she emerged as an accessory queen. Now she’s stretching her wings at Dior, reinventing the idea costume jewels. These dear readers are serious baubles, not some paste schtick.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ACCESSORIES?
As it is completely unnecessary, it is a frivolous and coquette approach.
DOES YOUR FORMER LIFE AS A PR INFORM YOUR DESIGNS? DO YOU THINK ABOUT HOW THINGS WILL SHOOT, HOW THEY’LL LOOK ON THE PAGE WHEN DESIGNING?
“No, what we do is more about a feeling and about what we think is right for Dior and the time being.”
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE HERITAGE OF CHRISTIAN DIOR INFORM WHAT YOU DO?
“It is important for me that the house that I am working for remains the star. It is important that when a woman sees the Dior pieces it relates to something familiar to the house without being a logo.”
WHAT GOES THOUGH YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU START WORK ON A COLLECTION?
Exhibitions, people in the street, music, books, travel, materials, techniques, ateliers…
YOU ALSO WORK ON THE BAG LINE AT DIOR AS WELL AS THE JEWELLERY. HOW DIFFERENT IS WORKING ON THE LEATHER GOODS TO THE JEWELLERY?
Working on bags have been a real challenge for me. I like to work on materials and develop some special treatments. It’s very complementary with the jewellery as we use more and more some elements from custom jewellery for bags.
IS DESIGNING SOMETHING THAT COMES EASILY?
I cross my finger but until now I’ve never had the stress of the blank page!
DO YOU HAVE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR IN MIND WHEN YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEAS FOR YOUR COLLECTIONS? DO YOU DESIGN FOR YOURSELF?
“I design for Christian Dior, things has to tell a story that relates to the house.”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TEMPTED TO STRIKE OUT ON YOUR OWN?
“I think there is already too many brands!”
by Natalie Dembinska
Photograph by Andre Wolff – www.andrewolff.com
