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Going backstage during fashion week, it’s like stepping into an alternative world: gorgeous models swarming all over the place, racks full of precious garments and pieces are stacked against every wall and there’s no shortage of hair and beauty products as they fully cover each table. Within this somewhat chaotic setting a group of very good looking male models is being groomed before the Cold Method A/W 2013 show. While everyone runs around, head designer Dieter de Cock sits quietly at the bar – all calm before the storm. Time to ask him some questions about the upcoming show and his latest collection.
Backstage talk with Dieter
What is the theme of the A/W 2013 show?
“The show is called ‘His eclectic Kingdom’ and it basically means that in my opinion the man has to be the king of his very own kingdom. In other words, he should have the guts to be who he is and dress the way he wants to. The collection is not just an ode to ‘the man’, even though I did had a strong and proud man in mind when I created this collection.”
How would you describe the typical Cold Method man?
“The Cold Method man has several sides, therefore you can’t define the Cold Method man as one specific person – simply because he’s so versatile. This is something we always have to keep in mind when creating a collection. Everybody likes something about it and that’s the funny aspect about the collection: an 18 year old boy might want to wear the items, as well as a man in his 50s. Not just because I made it, but because he feels good in it. This is a part of the diversity of the brand, and it’s also the reason why we did the street casting. I want to express the image of the street: instead of only using perfect gym guys, I deliberately chose to present ‘normal’ people as models – different kind of boys and men. The male models for this show can be divided into three categories: the beards, the preppy boys and the really young dudes. Nonetheless they all present a whole, and that’s what I find beautiful and charming.”
“There’s something for everyone’s taste. Why? Because every man can wear Cold Method”
In what way does this collection differs from the previous one?
“The previous collection was really romantic, but also minimalistic and we used a lot of light colours. Again we’ll start with a romantic vibe, by presenting various tones of the colour red and mixing that with flower prints. Subsequently the colour tones shift into a shocking blue vibe, after which the colours transform into black, making it a dark finale. Basically the daily and normal wear collection will consist of a combination of all kinds of soft materials, and there’s a particular clash between shining nylon and wool. My favourite item however, is definitely the red tweed jacket combined with the checked blouse. I have a thing for combining various prints and materials.”
What was your inspiration for this collection?
“To be honest I was inspired by the music and looks of English singer and songwriter King Charles. Not only does he makes supercool Indie rock music, his appearance also appeals to me. For example, he wears a three piece suit, yet he looks like the main character of Pirates of the Caribbean. The way he dresses, and still remains to look tough is simply fascinating. As I think of it, I often get inspired by music and films. Even though a collection never literally has anything to do with a specific singer or band, it does create a story for me. With regard to King Charles: he stands for something, is very elegant and has guts. So I figured my man should also be like that: he needs to be daring, adventurous and should have a certain attitude.”
“To me the Cold Method man is like an English dandy, but then with an eclectic twist to make him more tough”
Did you also use his music for this show?
“No, actually. The funny thing is that throughout the season I’ve met the guys from ‘The Dance’. They’re a new band from Utrecht, who translate the 80’s vibe to contemporary music. Their music can be compared with that of Duran Duran, except it’s more modern and has a certain dance vibe. It’s sort of romantic and the singer has a great English voice. Most importantly, they carry out a very positive vibe that matches the brand. The Cold Method man is an open-minded man, who’s engaged on a cultural level and appreciates music. The combination of fashion and music is important to me. Furthermore, I just really enjoy working with new talents.”
After the Q&A Dieter walks me through the racks of clothing and introduces me his favourite pieces. The materials feel very soft, the colours are appealing and I’m beyond excited for the show where I can see the pieces in action. Take a look at the gallery for backstage photos. Curious about the collection and the actual show? You can find full coverage here.
Photos by Beata Fortuna
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