OLOAPITREPS

Marco Torri photographer | Poppy Whitehorn set and styling

In this interview, we delve into the world of OLOAPITREPS, who share his inspirations and unique perspectives.

Marco Torri photographer | Poppy Whitehorn set and styling

1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?

OLOAPITREPS was officially born in 2015, designed in London and produced in Italy. Unofficially, it has been taking form and developing in my mind since my childhood.

In my early years, I was a collector of everything and anything that would catch my eye: not just sneakers and accessories, but also toys, animals, magazines, artefacts, rare stuff that had no apparent utility but just hold an unexpected beauty. As I was growing up, this passion/obsession turned to clothing. In my constant search for more and more items that would satisfy my artistic lust, I quickly came to realise that what I was looking for - fashion-wise - didn’t actually exist.

I designed my first range of black basics, the very first OLOAPITREPS capsule collection: with no brand, featuring oversized workwear basic coats, de-structured T-shirts and extra wide trousers. I had the opportunity of selling them in the store, displayed on the rails alongside those other designer brands that I had admired all my life.

My collector’s fascination also comprises fabrics. I am constantly researching textiles, filling up entire rooms with piles of materials, ready to be given life. These include used garments that are collected, cut open and sewn back together in new shapes by expert hands – upcycling has a strong presence when it comes to my creative process. I try to keep reusing beautiful things that are in disuse, not necessarily by destroying their past, but more like giving them a new chance at life through reinvention. I like to see the final result as a one-of-a-kind object to admire and collect.

In terms of shapes, sometimes it is the fabric that chooses its future garment design and I just have to go with it. A certain fabric may give me so much pleasure that I’ll feel the need to use as much as possible of it in one single garment and the design is dictated by this urge. Prints and embroideries are widely present in my creations. Destructed shapes – and NOT de-structured – volumes, the optical illusion of an unexpected body shape through the use of seams, the restructuring of pattern in order to give a 3D effect can often be found in OLOAPITREPS garments. Fabrics, shapes, and volumes are used with the aim to give a completely new, sophisticated but dynamic structure to each piece.

OLOAPITREPS is not inspired by the existing and the fashionable, but rather by the contemporary and sometimes the non-existent. I like to create new specimens of garments and what I wish is for these new species to mate and give life to even more new species. There aren’t set rules, schemes, or definitions: everything is in a constant evolution and the continuous creation process is fluid, instinctual and spontaneous, mostly close to nature than it is to technology and to the traditional production chain.

Everything comes together very naturally, without the need to define the style influences of my collections. As there aren’t any and there are innumerable and undefinable at the same time: a fantasy, a flash from my childhood, London, my Italian hometown, a street style mistake. We live in a constant transformation flux where everything evolves so quickly. We can’t waste the current moment by stopping to think how to define every aspect of our life and I apply this same belief to my clothes and their creation, moving away from all aspects of categorizations and expectations.

2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.

I don’t have a specific city or street culture as a reference, but I really travel a lot with my mind and imagination.

I love unfashionable people that styled themself without any fashion knowledge as style is the only thing you cannot afford.

In general, I’m very attracted of big metropolitan cities where people can express themselves without prejudice. I had a chance to live in London for 15 years so definitely influenced my work and identity.

Also, I spent most of my time surrounded by nature, the sound of it and the energies are Incredibles.

I stand for individuality in terms of style and lifestyle in general.

Sometimes also loneliness, anxiety and insomnia give you cool ideas and visions.

3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.

When I create, I live in the moment and never watch back, and I wish for my garments to have an eternal and timeless existence which goes above trends, seasons, gender, and fashion cycles.

I don’t believe in static concepts, but more in timeless, constantly evolving lifestyles. I believe in the process of transforming and developing what is around you in your daily life. Mine is a never-ending natural urge of manipulating what I see as beauty, in order to elevate it to the next level. You need to be part of the transformation process and, once you are in it, you can never get out.

4. City Lifestyle and Art: What characterizes clubbing and lifestyle in your city? How does your environment intersect with your art?

I really liked the clubbing scene when I was really young but slowly, I started to appreciate the “morning/day time” instead. I discovered the vibes of the morning routine that gave me a different approach to clothes. I could not see the difference in dressing up to go clubbing or to go to a plant shop as I like to overdress in both situations, and this is how I see my fans.

Also, I’m very scared and afraid to damage or destroy clothes in a club night.

I like book shops/plant shops/food experiences/second hands markets/traditional folk music, to watch movies at the cinema. I like to cook! These are for sure, an integral part of my artistic journey.

5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.

Of course, I have a long-term vision for the future of OLOAPITREPS, but I tend not to plan too much within my next collections, as I like to surprise - even myself.

We are currently working on a very exciting and unique project, which requires a long development process and a lot of planning. I have always dreamed of working with a large team of people - a community - and of sharing my ideas to create something with the only intent of being inspiring and pleasing on many different levels.