LEFLOW is a personal project by French menswear designer Lionel LEFLOW. The Parisian brand focuses on using rich, unexpected materials and qualitative details to maintain a chic and sophisticated silhouette.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I’m Lionel. I’m 32. I live in Paris but I’m originally from Marseille in the south of France. I’m the creative director for the menswear brand LEFLOW, which has been launched this month.
How has living in Paris affected your work? I love walking in the city listening to my music. The textures and colors of the Parisian streets and sky influence me a lot. I feel like this city is vibrant, but has a romantic and sophisticated side that you can recognize in my work.
What kinds of things are influencing your work right now? Kendrick Lamar influences me through the way he intellectualizes his creative process while remaining true to himself and to the art of hip hop. I’m also really fascinated with the whole Impressionism movement. Monet was the first graphic designer to me! I’m also looking at everyday structural elements like reflections on buildings. The geometry of the streets and buildings in New York has been a huge influence.
If you were a drink what drink would you be? Gin and Tonic.
What past trends in fashion should never come back? Men’s flared trousers.
Tell us about your work process and how it develops. My work really starts with a message, and with emotions that I want to materialize. Then it is often influenced by music and alternative artists, as well as more traditional ones. The mix of both gives it a special feeling. Sometimes my ideas start with a material, or a texture.
How long have you lived in Paris and what brought you there? I have lived in Paris for around eight years. The fashion opportunities brought me here.
What do you want a viewer to walk away with after experiencing your work? I want my customers to feel unique, stylish and like themselves while wearing my clothes. I love the idea of timeless pieces.
What’s your absolute favorite place in the world to be? Nothing’s like home. I’d say I love to go back to my hometown, Marseille, in the summer. It is an amazing town full of contrasts, with beautiful sea sights and great weather.
What were you like in high school? Shy, driven, athletic and not that much into fashion!
Favorite article of clothing? My revisited baseball shirt called Run Run is pretty cool with its lamb leather piecing.
Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your work? One of the greatest reactions I had was from the poet Genesis The Grey Kid, when he received the shirt he chose from my collection. Amazing facial expression.
