SEPTEMBER 2010: LE MONT ST MICHEL/BENT VAN LOOY
Presentation of the FW 2010 collection of French label Le Mont St Michel.
The mens line of Le Mont St Michel has been designed in collaboration with singer and frontman Bent Van Looy from the Belgian band DAS POP. Bent is also the face of the photo campaign. (Read the interview below)
“Very smitten with things from the past yet bitten by the cool bug, knit wear legend Le Mont St Michel and Das Pop meet at the drawing board to make the sweater of their dreams. What makes us tick is the jolt of recognition you get when hearing that Cure song just at the right moment, or watching agent cooper dissapear in the woods wearing this blue shirt. We roar at the rants of Captain Haddock and get all giddy at the sight of Peewee’s pants, to some, these may be more echos from the past but they never fail to thrill us at the core. This bewitching sense of wonder, this joyous shock of recognition and this sudden falling in love again are some of the things we want to translate for everyone to take into the Now, into the New. ” Le Mont St Michel.
Presentation:
15th September from 6pm till 9pm at Hunting and Collecting - DJ set by Bent Van Looy.
Interview with Bent Van Looy (DAS POP)
Hunting and Collecting:
Could you explain how you got involved with Le Mont St Michel and the process of the collections/collaboration?
Bent Van Looy :
Alexander Milan and I met in Paris through mutual friends. We quickly started talking music and fashion (as one does). Whilst discovering a shared passion for bittersweet pop songs, we spoke about the sad fact that Le Mont St Michel only made clothes for ladies. Almost in the spur of the moment, we decided that this was to change at once and began dreaming of thick sailor vests and quirky cardigans for men. A few weeks after that, the entire Das Pop and Le Mont St Michel found themselves bent over the drawing board at a castle in Normandy, frantically going through the rich archives of the ancient label and listening to a blaring stereo. That was well over two years ago.
Hunting and Collecting:
What is you view on fashion today and what do you like and dislike?
Bent Van Looy :
I travel a great deal, I love seeing the different way people approach fashion, everywhere I go. Even though Belgium is one of the great cradles of high fashion, the people in the streets aren’t exactly known to go crazy, men and women alike. I feel this is changing slightly and that’s great. It can really make my day to see an individual exploring the limits of fashion, using wit, elegance and possibly a walking stick.
Hunting and Collecting:
What do you like about menswear in particular nowadays and what brands in your opinion achieve that?
Bent Van Looy :
I was glad to see the preppy look resurface. It’s great to play with that whole tradition and mix it up with whatever kooky element you can find. I love the fact that there are so many colourful socks to be found and loafers are back. Brands I am fond of these days: Our Legacy, Thom Browne, Kitsune, Peter Jensen, Church’s, …
Hunting and Collecting:
How do you see music and fashion evolve?
Bent Van Looy :
Who knows? I’m secretly dreaming of a brand new pair of Dr Marten’s and an oversized BOY London t-shirt.
Hunting and Collecting:
What are you currently working on?
Bent Van Looy :
We are finishing up the busy festival season and mixing the exciting Aikiu album. Then it’s off to the studio to make our own new record. In autumn we’re undertaking an acoustic tour in Belgium called A Lovely Evening With Das Pop.
Hunting and Collecting:
Do you have other fashion related projects?
Bent Van Looy :
I recently designed a silk scarf for Michael Verheyden. It looks great, we are very happy. It’ll be released on september 11th in a very limited edition of a hundred pieces.
Hunting and Collecting:
If you would ever consider designing your own clothing label under your name, what style would that be and for what man/woman?
Bent Van Looy :
I would absolutely love that. It would have to be a collection for men. I guess I would make the clothes I like to wear myself: smart, based on tradition, a little weird and out there.
Drinks for this event are proudly sponsored by:
