BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear student Christian Cowan-Sanluis has collaborated with singer Miley Cyrus on stage looks for her latest tour. The designer has already seen his collection worn by Lady Gaga, Azalea Banks and the Years & Years.
LCF News spoke to Christian to find out about working with Miley, his SS16 collection and life at LCF.
Miley Cyrus in concert wearing Christian Cowan-Sanluis
How did dressing Miley come about?
I was working on some pieces for David La’Chapelle’s new series and someone on the team kindly made an introduction for me to Miley’s stylist.
What is it like working with her?
It’s been such a great experience, the whole team is so creative and friendly. Miley is a dream to dress, there are very little boundaries and she makes everything look amazing. She was also really sweet to do an Instagram shout out for me, which made my Instagram totally blow up!
What was the inspiration behind the outfits she wore?
She had some themes for sections for her show based on her songs. I drew out my ideas and then Miley & her stylist picked, I’ve ended up doing 3! I did two looks for her ‘Milky Milk’ section, two for the ‘BB Talk’ section and one for the ‘Disco ball’ section. She also pulled a large amount of my collection work as well.
Miley wears full pink glitter tux from Christian’s AW14 collection ‘Girls Like Us’. Also seen on Lady Gaga
What is the inspiration behind your SS16 collection?
I really wanted to encapsulate the ethos of Pride, especially within the LGBT community. In various looks I represent pride within sexuality, the work place, celebrity world and in the personal self. I also showed pride in more obvious visual ways, with gay pride flags, transgender symbols and even the Caitlyn Jenner dress.
The Caitlyn Jenner dress from Christians AW16 collection
What else have you been up to since we last spoke to you about dressing Lady Gaga?
It’s been super busy – I’ve mainly focused on performers as it is the best way to gain exposure and I totally love it. I’ve done work for Charli XCX, Azalea Banks, 50 Cent, Ciara, Kiesza, Years & Years, Lion Babe and of course Gaga & Miley.
I also did a collaboration with Acer and created the Selfie Hat, it ended up going viral which was amazing. On top of that, I was on Radio 1 with some other people which was great. Now I’m focusing a bit more on editorial press and sales as I feel that’s important. I’ve also had university work which has kept me busy!
Olly Alexander from Years & Years wearing Christian Cowan Sanluis
Why did you choose to study at LCF? Why did you choose to study Fashion Design Technology Womenswear?
I chose LCF because I wanted to go to a university that was not only creative, but also taught you how to actually make the pieces yourself. I wanted this knowledge to help strengthen my design process. For me there was no other course, I only applied to this course as I knew I wanted to do womenswear, so I’m really glad I got in.
As you are still studying here at LCF. What do you think LCF has given you so far?
I have gained a lot of technical skills, I’m miles ahead of where I was 2 years ago. It’s been incredibly tough to juggle doing my brand and doing a full time university course but a learning curve with time management.
AW15 collection
How do you plan on growing the brand, whilst you are still at LCF?
I’m really excited for a few collaborations I have coming up, I’m also working on my next collection which I want to make more wearable for more women. I’m always trying to make my resources do as much as possible and create as much as possible. This is something I will continue to do while I’m at university and after.
What do you think LCF still has to offer you?
Everyone always works towards the graduate collection, it is such a statement of your intent as a designer going out into the world after education. It’s very hard to settle on a collection, as there feels like there is so much pressure around it. I’m not going to be in the press show and I have yet to decide the best way to release it. I just want the whole thing to be breathtaking!