Astrid Andersen

DESIGNER NAME: Astrid Anderson

BACKGROUND: Astrid graduated from The Royal College of Art in 2010 and went on the win the Brioni Creativity and Innovation Award and the River Island MA Student Bursary Award designing three looks for the high street retailer.

SIGNATURES: “To create a look that is masculine, using street attitude and hip-hop references whilst playing on more feminine materials and colours.”

IDEAL CLIENT: “Confident above all.”

TRADEMARK PIECES: “The cropped puff jacket and the basketball tank.”

THE COLLECTION: “It’s inspired by a collection of crystals I saw in Florence last summer and the idea of how people have given them powerful purposes, such as healing power or good luck charm. From there, it was an investigation into the superstitious rituals of athletes and the hype they get from these before a match. Ultimately, the clothes are meant to hype my team of men and I love the idea of creating good luck 'garms' for them!”   

IMPACT OF LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN: “It is now providing a unique platform for my brand that truly makes my business present in a very international context which is also reflected in our customer.”

FIRST PIECE OF MENSWEAR DESIGNED: “I remember my brother desperately wanted a pair of rose-printed leggings like Axel Rose in the mid-90s, so we found the fabric, drew around him and had my mother stitch them together. We were both very proud!”