The Panel

Q&A.

Q1. What are you looking for when deciding which products to shoot?
A. I illustrate products, the brand has be of interest, something I really like & can connect with.

Q2. What single piece of advice would you give someone who's looking to get their design work out there?
A: You should be original in your design, something that stands out & is individual.

After nearly 50 years of adoption by a huge raft of truly diverse subcultures, what is it about Dr. Martens that keeps people coming back for more?
A: Dr Martens are classic, therefore always remain stylish & cool after all these years.

Q&A.

Q1. What are you looking for when deciding which products to buy/write about/etcM
A: At Spin its all about the music. The clothes and accessories we use when styling bands are reflective of their inherent style and Docs work perfectly because of their deep roots in the music scene.

Q2. What single piece of advice would you give someone who's looking to get there design work out there?
A: Be confident in your designs and aesthetic. Do not conform to fit trends. Your unique point of view will set you apart from the pack.

Q3. After nearly 50 years what it about Dr. Martens that keeps people coming back for more
A: For the fashion crowd it keeps coming back because the young trend setters, punk rock, and goth kids are so loyal. The collection has also grown for the loyalist to keep wanting more- with designer collaborations, bright neon colors, and prints.

Q4: If DMs were a song, what would it be?
A:London Calling!

Q5. If you had unlimited resources (and funds!), what would you do to customize your DMs?
A: I wouldn’t mind having the bright floral prints from the Spring Balenciaga collection used for a pair of Docs.

Q&A.

Q1: What are you looking for when deciding which products to buy/write about/etc
A: When it comes to the magazine, I’m always looking for things that you won’t find in a press release.

When it comes to new lines or new brands, I’ll often pick out the one item in the collection that in itself, is a trend, rather than doing a simple brand profile. And most of what I cover are things I discover after striking up a random conversation with someone. There’s no formula to news!

The same thing applies to what I buy for myself. I’m never really attracted to the “it” piece of a collection – I like the sleeper pieces; the ones that people tend to ask “ooh, where’s that from?” Half my apartment, for instance, are the pieces at IKEA that look like they cost thousands of dollars. I like the mystique and anonyminity.

Q2. What single piece of advice would you give someone who's looking to get there design work out there?
A: Don’t try and compete for the same rack of retail space that every other designer is going after as well, just because you think it’ll ensure sales. Make what you’re attracted to, excited about, and, with regards to womenswear, makes women look pretty. That’s all we want. But the same applies to anything, really. Most everyone is always trying to beautify their lives.

Do that, and the press and stores will find you. Retailers are always looking for something new they can give their shoppers.

Q3. After nearly 50 years what it about Dr. Martens that keeps people coming back for more
A: Embedded in every pair of shoes, there’s a slight sense that you’re being a bit of a rebel in wearing them. I loved wearing mine back with the girliest of floral dresses back in Junior High (and high school; and college; and now on the weekends....)

Q&A.

Q1. Describe the moment you bought your first pair of DMs? Which era were you? Punk, grunge, club kids, goth.....a mixture of two or somewhere in between?!
A: Late 80’s, I was into new wave and industrial music. Particularly Depeche Mode.

Q2. If you had unlimited resources (and funds!), what would you do to customise your DMs?
A: Mirrored chrome.

Q3: Which 3 words would you use to describe DMs?
A: Tough, sexy and comfortable.

Q4: From punk to grunge to club kids, what has been DMs impact on pop culture?
A: They are a symbol of individuality and dis-establishment thinking (at least for me!).

Q5: What is it about DMs that keeps 'em coming back? After nearly 50 years, why do people keep on adopting the brand?
A: They are an icon of individuality.

Q6: If DMs were a person, who would it be?
A: Lou Reed.

Q7:If DMs were a song, what would it be?
A: Join in the chant by Nitzer Ebb.

Q&A.

Q1. What are you looking for when deciding which products to buy/write about/et
A: When we choose product to feature in NYLON, there isn't one magic ingredient or component that innately draws us to cover it. It seems today that tastes change three or four times during the course of one season, so the products that thrive have found something that in someway or another represents some portion of timeless design. You find this in several brands, across categorical spectrums, that have captured an essential and timeless design. The newer designers that succeed are usually the ones that can best pay homage to the iconic brand that came before them, just updated for a different generational aesthetic. Of course, some brands do this themselves with minor tweaks or updates.

Q2. What single piece of advice would you give someone who's looking to get there design work out their
A: Again, it's hard to believe there is one secret to give designers that will lend unequivocal success upon their work. But I do believe it's important to have a voice. Just as a writer, director, or painter must find their specific voice and comfort zone within their respective artistic avenues, designers must find what this within their work. This doesn't mean find a niche or a kitschy novelty, those are disposable. This means find an essential and complementary avenue of expression that is representative of your own personal aesthetic. I also think it is important for young designers to invest in a capable public relations firm that will take the time, effort and pressure of self-promotion off of the designer.

Q3. After nearly 50 years what it about Dr. Martens that keeps people coming back for more
A: As mentioned before, I believe Doc Martens is a brand that has a timeless and essential design. They've been able to maintain their iconic design while constantly updating their perceived aesthetic, whether that be through collaborations with other designers or partnerships with musicians. Either way, it allows Doc Martens to be appreciated as a trend setting design original, while simultaneously appearing as fresh to a new generation of individuals who might be ignorant of the history of the brand.

Q&A.

Q1. What are you looking for when deciding which products to shoot?
A: When deciding what products to shoot I try to photograph things that I have an affinity with. For advertising shoots it's mostly clothes and shoes brands that I wear, or an airline I fly, a drink that I like or something I can connect with. For editorial, it's got to have a base in reality. I like shooting brands that don't look out of place in the lives of the people I'm documenting. Even in fashion shoots. I hate things that look fake and contrived.

Q2. What single piece of advice would you give someone who's looking to get their design work out there?
A: My advice to someone looking to get their design work out there is to be original. Don't try to copy what you've already seen done. It sounds obvious, but be yourself and don't dilute your ideas just to satisfy someone else.

Q3. After nearly 50 years of adoption by a huge raft of truly diverse subcultures, what is it about Dr. Martens that keeps people coming back for more?
A: What keeps people coming back for more with DMs is that they are a classic product with no pretensions. There are zillions of colours and patterns to keep you interested if you don't want basic black or oxblood, but they all still feel like they come from the same heritage. They are impossible to break and make me feel grounded to the Earth when I wear mine. The new flouro colours are amazing and make you want to swap and trade with your friends.