Demna Gvasalia Interviewed by André Leon Talley and Starring Iman

LEON TALLEY: When you were young, what was your favorite item of clothing?

GVASALIA: This little red coat that I had my parents buy for me, which was actually for a girl. They didn’t want to buy it for me, so I made a big scene in the store and finally, they bought it. I wanted it not to wear, but to look at, because I found it so beautiful that I just needed to have it. It was like a piece of art to me. That was my first memory of being attached to clothing. Then my parents made it disappear because they were afraid I would wear it and it would make me gay, which happened anyway. But the little red coat that looked like a baby-doll coat, very Balenciaga in some ways.

LEON TALLEY: Do you ever come to New York at all?

GVASALIA: I came often before COVID, but now it’s so complicated. I actually have to go next week for the Met Gala.

LEON TALLEY: What are you wearing? You have to wear something brilliant.

GVASALIA: I’m going in sweatpants. The theme is Americana and what is more American than sweats? I’m not sure they will let me in, but I’m going to try.

———

Casting: Calvin Wilson at Establishment

Nails: Eri Ishizu

Set Design: Eric Mestman at Bryant Artists

Set Design Assistants: Abe Santana and Miles Chick

Set Design Intern: Caroline Cramer

Hair: Hos Hounkpatin using K18 Haircare at The Wall Group

Makeup: Keita Moore (kilprity) using Iman Cosmetics, Armani Beauty, Coloured Raine Cosmetics

Lighting Technician: Siggy Bodolai

Executive Producer: Mai Fujiwara at Wildcat

Production: Eliza Hoyland  and Chelsea Williams  at Wildcat

Photography Assistant: Grayson Vaughn

Fashion Assistants: Nia Shambourger

Tailor: Maria Del Greco at Lars Nord Studio

Production Assistant: Marcus Macdonald

Studio: Smashbox Brooklyn

Retouching: Helen Chr