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There's an interview with Haider Ackermann in last week's Knack Weekend, a Flemish magazine. It's by far the best I read from him and gives great insight to his work. Here's a translation I made. I'll try to get some scans up so you can see the pics that go with the text as well.
As a child, he dreamt of becoming the pope. Now his name strongly appeals on the fashion calendar and he’s been asked by Martin Margiela as his successor. “That was one of the most beautiful meetings in my life;”
“Does he prefer French, Dutch or English?” I asked his press agent when I’m preparing my questions some days before the interview. “French, English or German are all fine”, she replied. “Neither is Dutch, as Haider spent his youth in Amsterdam”. At the end of the interview, he’ll say that he’s currently learning to speak Spanish, for a very special reason.
Haider Ackermann (37) must be destined to become a globetrotter. Born in Colombia, he was adopted by French parents who –depending on his father’s work – created a house in Algeria, in Ethiopia, or later in the Netherlands. Everywhere except from France. There (in Paris) Ackermann settled down only a few years ago when after his studies at the Antwerp Fashion Academie he had the feeling that Antwerp would be “too obvious” as a home base.
That can count, this nomadic life. But it is of course Ackermann’s professional career which brings us to a table in the museumbar Camu in Antwerp. When the designer walks in with a Knack Weekend under his arm, “something to read for in case you hadn’t arrived yet”, some old friends, happy to be able to greet Ackermann on Belgian soil, discreetly put their hands in the air. He looks relaxed, intriguing with those dark curls and the open look in his eyes. “This morning I felt like wearing purple”, he says, referring to his violet v-neck and long, deep purple scarf. “It doesn’t happen often that I wear such a talking colour. My associates at the atelier were surprised when they saw me. I feel very good at the moment, yes”, he calmly smiles. And the designer has every reason to feel so. Since his start in 2002, international recognition for his wrap and draping talent and his perfect leather jackets has grown every season, and his current winter collection was enthusiastically welcomed half a year ago when it was showed in Paris for the press and buyers. The enthousiasm was evident when the fashion press labeled it “one of the most beautiful women’s collections of the season” and was also clear when the attending public started to applaud even before the show’s end.
Were you aware when still backstage that the public was reacting so ecstatically?
No, that was very strange. I still don’t understand. I’m never satisfied with a collection, I always think it could have gone differently. But I noted before the show frpm the models that they were nervous to go on-stage. The girls are always a good measure and they asked before whether they could have specific garments. I felt the tension coming forward, but I wasn’t expect the public’s reaction.
As a child, he dreamt of becoming the pope. Now his name strongly appeals on the fashion calendar and he’s been asked by Martin Margiela as his successor. “That was one of the most beautiful meetings in my life;”
“Does he prefer French, Dutch or English?” I asked his press agent when I’m preparing my questions some days before the interview. “French, English or German are all fine”, she replied. “Neither is Dutch, as Haider spent his youth in Amsterdam”. At the end of the interview, he’ll say that he’s currently learning to speak Spanish, for a very special reason.
Haider Ackermann (37) must be destined to become a globetrotter. Born in Colombia, he was adopted by French parents who –depending on his father’s work – created a house in Algeria, in Ethiopia, or later in the Netherlands. Everywhere except from France. There (in Paris) Ackermann settled down only a few years ago when after his studies at the Antwerp Fashion Academie he had the feeling that Antwerp would be “too obvious” as a home base.
That can count, this nomadic life. But it is of course Ackermann’s professional career which brings us to a table in the museumbar Camu in Antwerp. When the designer walks in with a Knack Weekend under his arm, “something to read for in case you hadn’t arrived yet”, some old friends, happy to be able to greet Ackermann on Belgian soil, discreetly put their hands in the air. He looks relaxed, intriguing with those dark curls and the open look in his eyes. “This morning I felt like wearing purple”, he says, referring to his violet v-neck and long, deep purple scarf. “It doesn’t happen often that I wear such a talking colour. My associates at the atelier were surprised when they saw me. I feel very good at the moment, yes”, he calmly smiles. And the designer has every reason to feel so. Since his start in 2002, international recognition for his wrap and draping talent and his perfect leather jackets has grown every season, and his current winter collection was enthusiastically welcomed half a year ago when it was showed in Paris for the press and buyers. The enthousiasm was evident when the fashion press labeled it “one of the most beautiful women’s collections of the season” and was also clear when the attending public started to applaud even before the show’s end.
Were you aware when still backstage that the public was reacting so ecstatically?
No, that was very strange. I still don’t understand. I’m never satisfied with a collection, I always think it could have gone differently. But I noted before the show frpm the models that they were nervous to go on-stage. The girls are always a good measure and they asked before whether they could have specific garments. I felt the tension coming forward, but I wasn’t expect the public’s reaction.
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