After his appointment as Creative Director at French sunglasses brand Vuarnet in September, Crash takes a look back at our mid-lock down interview with Boramy Viguier, a poignant moment of reflection looking at how far the designer has come since we spoke. 

A graduate from the infamous London fashion school, Central Saint Martins, Viguier worked for both Craig Green and Lanvin Mens before launching his own label in 2018. Celebrated by fashion critics and buyers alike, his collections created a buzz in the fashion circles and landed him a place in the finalists for the ANDAM prize in 2018. Since, he has built his own universe, colliding the world of technical utilitarian clothing with his own dreamy, free spirited sense of design, unconventionally influenced by medieval styles.

‘The first time I met Boramy Viguier, we had only intended to talk for 45 minutes, but we ended up talking for almost three hours. I could immediately sense his strong connection to the mountains and so I could see straight away that he was going to fully understand our intrinsic values, and that he would be able to transmit the spirit and excellence of Vuarnet into the collections he designs for us. His talent, creativity and vision will be the key drivers in the revival of Vuarnet in what is going to be a period of huge growth for us as a brand.’ Said David Belhassen, CEO of Vuarnet. 

Using the houses rich archives as inspiration, he will be responsible for the design of all the technical outdoor wear, as well as Vuarnet 1957 the labels eyewear line. Proudly produced entirely in France, Vuarnet was founded by legendary olympic athlete Jean Vuarnet and optician Roger Pouilloux in 1957l. Pioneering in every sense of the word, the 1960 Gold Medal Olympian opened the first no-car ski resort in France ‘Avoriaz’ in 1966, with his love of nature and his (at the time) avant-garde visions of eco-responsibility. Not far from Paris, Vuarnet still produces its own mineral glass that is used in all its sunglasses with the same unchanged methods of manufacture that it has used since the beginning. 100% natural and recyclable it ensures the best protection from the sun’s rays and glare using the latest Lynx™ technologies. The iconic frames have stood the test of time and Vuarnet embraces its roots in the 1960’s world of skiing, the nostalgia of craftsmanship and the warmth in the art of living in the French mountains.  

‘Vuarnet to me is a mythical brand with which I feel my own personal connections, it’s a leader in the world of mountain wear thanks to its strong heritage and technical know-how. I love the brand’s connections with iconic figures in history, like Miles Davis, Romy Schneider, Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski, all whilst equipping some of the greatest sportsmen in the world, and Jean Vuarnet himself, colorful and fascinating, a genuine legend in the history of ski. I am truly passionate about the mountains, and I’m so happy to be able to continue the Vuarnet legacy and to give a new impetus to the house. It’s exciting to be designing clothes and sunglasses that also have to be functional. Vuarnet is the representation of the true lifestyle of the French mountains, an alpine ‘art-de-vivre’ that is at once poetic and hedonistic. It’s the mountain that is so symbolic, a call to transcendence and a call to contemplation in the same moment.’ Says Viguier. 

Rediscover the full interview by Alice Butterlin below:

                         »Most of the world has been in lockdown for over a month now due to the COVID-19 crisis. A moment frozen in time, when people are faced with solitude, grief or anxiety and see their daily lives shift for the better or the worse. In this time of extreme uncertainty, we can also take the time to reflect, create and enjoy the passing of these strange elastic days. We thought it would be interesting to ask artists around the globe how their creative process has changed during the quarantine and if it has been an inspiring or rather daunting experience… with a quick snapshot of themselves in lockdown. Meet Boramy Viguier, the Parisian designer who is making waves with his stunning menswear collections, crafted to perfection. His silhouettes present a knowing mix of workwear in rugged materials, gothic romanticism and several mystical elements. Though his fashion contains many references, it is much more than a patchwork of icons and artistic currents. Each garment is subtle, considered and expressive of a whole new language. Discover how he is spending his days during this frozen time. »

AB: How has your daily life changed since lockdown began?

BV: I’m lucky to have my studio right down the block, on the ground floor. I decided to just work every day. Life is quieter, almost at a standstill. I work better in the quiet. That’s what has fundamentally changed. I feel like I’m a thousand times more efficient. I can’t source anything and I don’t have a team anymore. But I use whatever’s in my studio, whatever I can find. I feel like my work process is more organized and focused.

AB: Have you had to rethink the way you create?

BV: I’ve rethought my whole way of working. I’m in a situation where I have to make do with what I have. I can’t buy anything, I can’t source anything like I used to, I can’t organize shoots with models, etc. I’m not making anything by choice so much as by necessity. I have stuff in my studio and I try to make something else out of it. It’s much more interesting that way. Necessity is the mother of inspiration.

AB: Did you realize anything in particular during this time?

BV: It’s been a real slap in the face. You realize you depend too much on suppliers who might be on the other side of the world. This system is too fragile. And it’s stupid. I wonder how we ended up here. It’s almost pathetic. In fashion, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we can’t do anything without other people. Without the industry. But at the same time we love to criticize it. Everybody wants to feel like they are outside the system. I’m envious of painters who can still paint in spite of quarantine. Or writers who can still work on their novels. They’ve got the right idea.

AB: Are you worried?

BV: I’m worried that this situation is hurting people. I’m worried that next February we might see a Covid-20, which might not spare the young. This epidemic is putting our heads back on straight. It’s bringing us back to what is essential and necessary. This is the « reassuring » side of this crisis. No one can really deny that it’s rubbing our noses in the dirt.

AB: Do you feel more inspired or paralyzed by the lockdown?

BV: It’s beyond inspiring. But in the literal sense of the word. I don’t know why, but people often think that inspiration is something nice. It’s always a movie you loved, a musician you love, a mother who read Vogue… I think real inspiration is painful. Shock or trauma. And the situation we’re in now, it’s very painful.

AB: Have you started or returned to any activities that you do not normally have time to do?

BV: No, not really. I eat breakfast in the morning. Something I never used to do before.

AB: What do you think you’ll take away from this shutdown?

BV: That we really work better in a quiet environment. That living in a less polluted environment is more enjoyable. That there really are people who are good at what they do: garbage collectors, firemen, cashiers, caregivers…

AB: How do you see life after this crisis?

BV: Challenging, exciting and exhausting. I don’t think we’ll have much time to just blow off steam.

PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS LOHR