Antony from Antony and the Johnsons Moonlights as Dress Designer
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Antony’s Dress
Much lauded and heavily applauded front man Antony from Antony and the Johnsons is moonlighting as a dress designer. Best known for winning the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for the album “I’m a Bird Now,” Antony has created a dress in collaboration with YOOX.com that will be auctioned on EBAY. The proceeds will benefit the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP), an American grassroots organization that champions the exploration and expression of gender identity.
The dress, made from white silk jersey, has been made by hand and produced in a single model signed by Antony himself. Evoking a kimono, the sleeves are short, the hems are unfinished, and the front is adorned with an elegant abstract design. Following the lines of a tunic, the opening is at the rear and can be tied on both sides, which makes it suitable for all body shapes and silhouettes.
In its essential and elegant nature, the dress that you have designed for YOOX communicates a sense of purity and immaculate candor. Is this what you wanted to express?
Antony: I chose a simple dress form almost like a kimono. The print is one of the drawings I have been doing recently. I wanted to suggest an abstract connection between the dress and the light and the world around it.
The proceeds of the sale will go to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP). Do you want to say something about the reasons why you choose this organization?
Antony: It is a fine organization that advocates for the rights of transgendered people who need but cannot afford legal representation.
In pop music the rise of a new genre has always gone side by side with a definite look. I'm thinking of rockabilly, punk, country, New Romantic and we could go on and on... Is there some artist or genre which interests you (or that has interested you) not as much in the musical aspect but for the style that it has expressed?
Antony: I quite like the London "Hard times" look of the early 80s. I find myself continuing to emulate it at every opportunity. Basically people dressed up like scarecrows!
In your opinion, what does Dress mean? Is it a way to communicate or a simple garment without further meaning?
Antony: There is an aspect that just involves line and design. But the image itself also suggests to me something a little mystical, a sense of moving light, a sense of animation.
Are you interested in fashion? Are there designers that you like best?
Antony: Recently I have been working with Hussein Chalayan on a project and
his work is really beautiful.
If the dress that you have designed for YOOX were one of your songs, which one would it be?
Antony: Spiraling
How do you imagine the person who will wear the dress?
Antony: A ghost
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