Devon Halfnight LeFlufy is a 29-year-old fashion designer based in Antwerp. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Devon graduated from the Masters Year at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. This year, he was awarded the H & M Design Award. His luxury streetwear has been stocked in stores such as Opening Ceremony and RA.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Devon. I am about to turn 30 this year. I am from Canada but I live in Antwerp. I am married and my sister is about to have a baby.
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? We have started to produce collections twice annually so we are always finishing or starting one of those. I am contributing some clothes to a new project by Aza Shade that will come out in a few months. I think her work is great. It really has something. Other than that we are just trying to keep it as simple as possible and focus on building our brand.
What are you currently watching on Netflix/what’s on your Netflix queue? Divorce Italian style, this Balthus documentary and The Wire (I am not really sure how I managed to have not watch it yet).
What is one of the bigger challenges you and/or other designers are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing? There was a really good article in the financial times the other day that articulated what we are dealing with very well. Everything needs to be “safe” these days buyers and editors focus on what sold well last season so they just take the things that are “new” versions of the things that were successful last season. Staying the hell away from anything that, even though it might be amazing, is new or different. This creates an environment that discourages creativity and innovation. It is just a symptom of the fact that all the power in fashion and art is not in the hands of designers and artists anymore. Everything looks the same now.
If you had one wish what would it be? To sleep in.
How did your interest in art or fashion begin? Who’s to tell. But it developed really late that is for sure.
#1 fashion don’t? Thinking about it too much.
How has living in Antwerp affected your practice? I went to school in the city I now live in so, Antwerp was a huge part of my education. But I think I would work the same way as I do now if I lived in another city.
If you had to explain your work or brand to a stranger, what would you say? Who’s to tell. I am really bad at this sort of thing.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? I always try to use different material. So I spend a lot of time sourcing things and collecting materials that I never use. My process is pretty chaotic. It always some how seems well thought out in the end, but it isn’t.