The Blonds Designers on Donald Trump's America and How to Resist Through Fashion
There are a lot of ways to describe The Blonds brand and the clothing they create: ornate, powerful, and entertaining to start. Their Fall 2017 collection was all of the aforementioned and more — an alluring and provocative mix of show and design that literally evoked applause and shouts from the crowd. Partner and design duo David and Phillipe Blond are masters of outrageous and extraordinary stage costumes, that have become a go-to for the likes of Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, and Madonna.
Inspired by forthcoming film The Mummy, designs included embellished corsets, crystal-adorned catsuits, loads of feathers, and curve-hugging silhouettes. The better for a strong and body-positive women to arm herself with, of course. And when Phillipe Blond took his final bow as the pearl mummy with waist-long hair and statement-making lips, it solidified what The Blonds and fashion should truly be about: a label-less celebration of self-expression. It was quite the declaration in this new world order from a Cuban and Puerto Rican design couple who continue to smash oppressive gender and societal norms. After their explosive fashion show, we talked to The Blonds about resistance, female empowerment, inclusivity, and more.
DAN & CORINA LECCA1/5Teen Vogue: There is a lot happening in the world right now, especially when it comes to politics. What are your thoughts on policies that attack immigrants and threaten the rights of the LGBTQ community? And how do you keep a positive mindset in the midst of so much negativity?
David Blond: You have to remain hopeful, resist, and remain outspoken. You can't be quiet about your opinions. We tried to convey that in this collection, by doing what we want and not what we're told. That's the main message around what we do. It's a very serious and scary climate to navigate, but it's also an awakening.
Phillipe Blond: Fashion Week for us is a distraction, but we really want to provide an escape for so many to enjoy. We want to find ways to keep people happy and when people attend our shows, everyone is together. It's a time to take a few minutes away from that outside noise. And unity through art and performance is one of our favorite forms of resisting.
DAN & CORINA LECCA2/5TV: We love that you both represent self-expression and diversity. You always embrace models of color and embrace the freedom to represent yourselves any way you deem fit.
DB: This collection was really about coming into power and discovering yourself. Taking control and shedding your old self was a major motivation. Whether you're trans, black, curvy, or skinny, we wanted to encompass every woman in this show. We've felt that we've been building up to this point and we always want to be as inclusive as possible. I'm Cuban and he's Puerto Rican, so it's a necessity for us.
DAN & CORINA LECCA3/5TV: We would love to hear about how the partnership between you, Universal, and The Mummy film came about. The way the inspiration played out was amazing.
DB: It started with friendship, as a friend of mine used to work for Dreamworks. Then, Dreamworks and Universal merged and we had honestly been talking about collaborating for the longest time. Our schedules never seemed to line up, but then this project came along. We wanted to create a modern take on the theme and design pieces that were narrative. The story is so incredible and we're all about empowering women. The transformation that takes place in the film and all of its elements are ones that we love. We've always been inspired by film, so this was the perfect project for us to partner on.
PB: We created the mummy, but our way: a pearled version for example.
DB: We wanted to blend performance with the real world. A lot of the dresses are actually wearable, but they're still heavily embroidered and have the essence of our brand. It's a new departure for us, as we try to elevate and become more relatable and accessible to a wider audience.
DAN & CORINA LECCA4/5TV: That's an interesting point because fashion is going in a more accessible and functional direction right now. Athleisure is really the number one trend right now. How do you both combine that with your glamorous sensibility?
DB: We wanted to take athleisure up a notch, instead of grounding it. A bomber is a must-have, so we created a '20s-inspired cocoon bomber, embroidered with sequins and pearls. We used luxury fabrics to make these sportswear items.
PB: And Christian Louboutin custom makes all the shoes.
