Raf talks about Jil, Bertelli, his own collection

[kLm]

Well, he sounds quite pleased with the situtation at Prada--I wonder if that is how Helmut Lang and Jil Sander first felt? Oh well, read for yourselves--

http://men.style.com/fashion/style_notes/012406

 

[Scott]

Sadly,I thought the collection was really mind numbing.

As for Prada,I'm thankful they weren't preying on his own label to buy up. In which case,I believe in time he'll begin to see the real Bertelli. Just like Lang and Sander. And yes Bertelli was very enthusiastic and personable at the beginning,just like this,but that all changed once once profits started dropping and creative conflicts really began to come into play.

I'm really quite sad still that Raf would work with such a fascist company though. Given their reputation for ripping off young talents(like he)and being completely gimmick-oriented.

 

[andrew]

It seems Raf played it smart, he isn't giving up his company nor his name. Who knows how exactly Jil & Helmut fell apart, there are always two sides to every story, and as much as I'd like to think of Bertelli being some evil fascist dictator that destroyed my favorite label, I can't shake the feeling that there is more than just that...

 

[kLm]

I'm really quite sad still that Raf would work with such a fascist company though. Given their reputation for ripping off young talents(like he)and being completely gimmick-oriented.

At 37, is he a young talent? ;}

On the surface it seems like he made a good business move, but of course it is far too early to tell. And I wasn't wild about the collection either, but I'll reserve final judgment until I see it in the stores and I can handle it/try it on.

 

[*sayan]

What an beautiful interview, so calm, so forward. I like his views a lot.

 

[PrinceOfCats]

At 37, is he a young talent? ;}

Younger than Kaiser Karla.

 

[Johnny]

I'm really quite sad still that Raf would work with such a fascist company though. Given their reputation for ripping off young talents(like he)and being completely gimmick-oriented.

What young designers have Prada "ripped off"?

Raf seems quite happy, and quite comfortable with the decision he made.

 

[nqth]

^Yes, give him a chance, Scott:-)

 

[Scott]

Well,that's great he seems happy. But we shall see..

And yes,there might indeed be two sides but I don't think I buy such a thought myself. Everybody has seen and read throughout the entire debaccle with Jil/Helmut what control freak Bertelli is.

Johnny,trust me when I tell you,that there are most certainly obvious similarities with Prada and alot of the lesser knowns...things that have been supplanted no less than a season or two....Prada has brought into the light and made her own. All of sudden she's brilliant....great ideas! (not!) And all that delusional fawning this industry does towards her. Just like this whole intricate,homespun kind of a look she adapted to. Nobody of such established eyes knew this was going on in such a way already till Prada mocked them all and made it look soul-less. And not to mention naivete was going on for years before she took nicely to it. Again,before,these were such obscure ideas and people praised her for starting them both. Without an ounce of credit from the most obvious who started it.

 

[softgrey]

thank you for posting this kLm...
personally i much prefer the collection raf just did for jil sander to what i have seen of his work under his own name...
(hooded ponchos......i wouldn't even be caught dead in one-and i would be horrified if i ever saw anyone wearing one.....)
this collection is much more mature and refined...
as is the jil sander customer...
his respect for jil and the brand is obvious...
and i think this is going to go over well with jil sander loyalists...
it's almost as if he is her heir....

even more curious about the women's collection to come.......