This story is part of Image's September issue. Image creators issue celebrating some of the most daring and innovative artists working in fashion today.
Vincent Frederic-Colombo is many things, in many different worlds, at many different times: Parisian, fashion designer, creative director, casting director, DJ, co-founder of a beloved Paris party collective, and music curator. His fashion line, CREOLE, is also part of a larger artistic universe.
CREOLE’s roots can be traced back to Creole Soul, a visual and fashion research manifesto and subsequent photography project co-founded with photographer Fanny Viguier that focused on and celebrated the Creole diaspora. (It would also give birth to La Creole, Frederic-Colombo and Viguier’s beloved party series “born out of interculturality.”) With the brand, Frederic-Colombo has been able to “reframe Creole identity” through designs that serve as a connection point between the past and the future, using elements like the Pan-African flag and transforming classic silhouettes like workwear into something that feels unique to Frédéric-Colombo’s story.
His latest show, during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, was inspired by the 1976 eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in the Guadeloupe archipelago, where Frederic-Colombo is from. Called MAGMA 76, the show featured designs, music and energy inspired by the resilience that emerges after destruction. Frederic-Colombo also participated in a fashion show during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, walking his own designs down a runway that also included the work of other Parisian designers. For Frederic-Colombo, these kinds of opportunities could only come in Paris, which has served as a rich stage for the “new narratives, new references, new visions and new rules” he is creating through CREOLE.
“I love the idea of creating new narratives, new references, new visions and new rules.”
This is what creating images means to me: Image creation is about building images, in a balance between documentary and fantasy. The most important aspect is to base them on real life and real characters, and add poetry to them. I love the idea of creating new narratives, new references, new visions and new rules.
A phrase that best describes my designs: Re-formulating Creole identity with a unisex approach, a bit of sensuality, some roots vibes and good workwear cuts. Celebrating identity, body and soul.
People who wear CREOLE have this in common: Confidence and impeccability; they love comfortable, simple but strong designs. They have an authentic energy with roots. [and] vibes.
“I love the fluidity of this city.”
My approach to personal style looks and feels like this: I love a fluid approach to fashion. It can be simple and strong, stamped with lots of symbolic codes of historical details. I want to push the narrative of each collection. I also love to base my designs on simple and strong cuts inspired by military or workwear. I love to add some subversive details with sexy, queer or political references in my designs.
My Paris looks like this: A multicultural, progressive and challenging city. What I love about Paris is that it feels like a big village with different atmospheres, scenes and communities. I love the fluidity of this city. I live in the 11th district, which is definitely one of the nicest areas. I enjoy walking around this city, admiring the architecture, beauty and art everywhere.
Vincent is wearing CREOLE hockey jersey, Bernhard Willhelm shorts, Stüssy socks, Nike sneakers and jewelry from the talent himself.
My work reveals this about the city: This city is one of the best places to find opportunities. If you know the right people or just have a strong vision, you can grow and build strong connections. The hardest part is sometimes taking the leap to make your dream come true. What I have learned working quietly behind casting, styling, retail and parties is to strive with a clear vision, no matter the difficulty. I live in Paris, but my ambition is international. My French touch or Parisian touch comes from an intellectual approach and experimentation with artisanal haute couture techniques, close to all the big brands on the calendar. Paris is the perfect incubator to explore a fashion sense with alternative points of view and to be part of the industry because it is one of the biggest cities to be present in fashion.
