Givenchy and Hepburn, Saint Laurent and de la Falaise... the relationship between designer and muse has been integral to fashion history. Our favorite contemporary designers and their influences are no exception. This season, we asked designers to photograph the people, places, or objects that inspired their Fall/Winter 2012 collections. From batmobiles in Paris to the best skate spots in Moscow, they did not disappoint. Check out what else they came up with in our new series, "Under the Influence."
From frenemies to BFFs, the relationship between designer Arielle de Pinto and musician/muse Dan Bodan was not exactly love at first sight. After months of playing the aggro-roommate game in an apartment they shared together, the walls between them managed to come down and it’s been love ever since. Funny how things work out that way, isn’t it?
Who is your muse? Dan Bodan
Describe the first time you met: I hated him. We met at the photo lab in the basement of Concordia University in Montreal. He crashed my Starbucks date cause he couldn't take a hint. He never shut up. I moved in with him and another girl out of desperation when I came back to town and we hated each other for months. Then one day it was just the two of us and we were sitting across from each other on the couches, and out of nowhere we just cracked up. We’ve been inseparable ever since! We would wake up every morning and listen to Donna Summer's Once Upon a Time or Meredith Monk, and drink coffee, go to school, come home, watch movies, and go out day in, day out.
How does Dan influence you? I always get music from him, and he can keep me out partying for much longer that I would be by myself. He has great taste in film, music, and books, and always knows what I am going to like.
What’s the relationship between designer and muse? I do have muses that have come in and out of my life. At times they are friends, at times lovers. There has to be a combination of intimate ease and admiration. The muse must have innate qualities that make them stand out from everybody else.
Does your inspiration change from season to season? Is there any sort of concept that you feel always has an influence on your collection? It always reflects my immediate surroundings. Our culture, commercial culture, cheap consumer jewelry and clothing, opulent jewelry and natural materials, things that are so fake it hurts, things that take so long to make it's baffling. Soulless, imposing architecture; handmade awnings that are falling apart; people's faces in the subways. You get the idea...
Have you and Dan ever worked collaboratively? If so, how? I danced for one of his videos long, long ago. I have posed for him nude. He has posed for me with clothes. He is a fantastic singer and performer, and has performed at my presentations. Now his music career is really starting to take off.
What is your favorite thing to do together? Go dancing all night.
Does Dan have a secret talent? What is it? He can make good Korean food.
Do you have any secret talents? I am a pretty good singer and have a secret dance career on the side.
Where did you shoot these photos? Does the place hold any special significance to you? It was at the lovely photographer Asha Mines' house. It is special because it holds her father-in-law's artworks, great art, her gorgeous family, and has generally great energy. We have don
From frenemies to BFFs, the relationship between designer Arielle de Pinto and musician/muse Dan Bodan was not exactly love at first sight. After months of playing the aggro-roommate game in an apartment they shared together, the walls between them managed to come down and it’s been love ever since. Funny how things work out that way, isn’t it?
Who is your muse? Dan Bodan
Describe the first time you met: I hated him. We met at the photo lab in the basement of Concordia University in Montreal. He crashed my Starbucks date cause he couldn't take a hint. He never shut up. I moved in with him and another girl out of desperation when I came back to town and we hated each other for months. Then one day it was just the two of us and we were sitting across from each other on the couches, and out of nowhere we just cracked up. We’ve been inseparable ever since! We would wake up every morning and listen to Donna Summer's Once Upon a Time or Meredith Monk, and drink coffee, go to school, come home, watch movies, and go out day in, day out.
How does Dan influence you? I always get music from him, and he can keep me out partying for much longer that I would be by myself. He has great taste in film, music, and books, and always knows what I am going to like.
What’s the relationship between designer and muse? I do have muses that have come in and out of my life. At times they are friends, at times lovers. There has to be a combination of intimate ease and admiration. The muse must have innate qualities that make them stand out from everybody else.
Does your inspiration change from season to season? Is there any sort of concept that you feel always has an influence on your collection? It always reflects my immediate surroundings. Our culture, commercial culture, cheap consumer jewelry and clothing, opulent jewelry and natural materials, things that are so fake it hurts, things that take so long to make it's baffling. Soulless, imposing architecture; handmade awnings that are falling apart; people's faces in the subways. You get the idea...
Have you and Dan ever worked collaboratively? If so, how? I danced for one of his videos long, long ago. I have posed for him nude. He has posed for me with clothes. He is a fantastic singer and performer, and has performed at my presentations. Now his music career is really starting to take off.
What is your favorite thing to do together? Go dancing all night.
Does Dan have a secret talent? What is it? He can make good Korean food.
Do you have any secret talents? I am a pretty good singer and have a secret dance career on the side.
Where did you shoot these photos? Does the place hold any special significance to you? It was at the lovely photographer Asha Mines' house. It is special because it holds her father-in-law's artworks, great art, her gorgeous family, and has generally great energy. We have don