Earlier this week, Alexa Chung said that Antipodium is one of her favourite labels of the moment.
Well, she's a bit late to the party, because we've been loving this East London label since we were first alerted to its offbeat coolness some years ago.
Stealth sexiness is the calling card of Antipodium designer Geoffrey J. Finch, who is originally from Australia but calls Bethnal Green home. He excels at sneaky see-through panels, teasing strips of latex and gorgeous flattering cuts to create the perfect crazy/sexy/cool wardrobe.
Here, we chat to the witty and charming designer about robots, Miss Piggy and kink....
What are your design signatures?
Subverted classicism, capricious wit and a hint of kink.
Can you explain the name of the brand?
We started as a shop, PR and wholesale agency that specialised in bringing the best antipodean brands to London. Antipodium played upon this concept and also represents our unpretentious approach to the fash business.
Who would you most love to see wearing your designs?
Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy and Gillian Wearing
Who are your greatest influences?
My wonderful friends. I'd be lost without them.
Can you tell us a bit about your design background?
I've never trained formally apart from a year at a Lycee Professionnel while on exchange in France. My mother was a dressmaker and so I grew up to the sound of the machine. The rest I've learnt on the job: first winging it on shop floors and then in showrooms. The consumer is an inspiring teacher - and quite a taskmaster.
Who is the Antipodium girl?
She's a heady combination of the genius women that surround the brand. They're an eclectic bunch unified by their individuality, brains and love of a jolly.
What can we expect from Antipodium in the next 3-5 years?
Accessories and more of our own retail are my big goals - and some cracking events too!
Can you explain the idea behind your SS13 collection?
How to Affect Robots and Influence People is all about perfection and malfunction. We can now mould ourselves to android-like perfection and robots can have emotions; human idiosyncrasies have never been sexier.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Adventures at home and abroad - and the weirdos you meet along the way - are an endless source.
What’s your favourite piece you’ve designed to date?
I love the Threshold biker that opened our SS13 show. Who doesn't need a pale pink biker jacket with slit sleeves?
What’s next for Antipodium?
PreFall 2013 is in full swing and I think I've nabbed our sassiest collaborator yet!
Shop Antipodium at www.antipodium.com
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