Daniel Wingate is the Fashion Director of Escada and is associated with the company since 2003. He thinks that a garment should be ageless, timeless, and yet modern in design.

Daniel Wingate is the Fashion Director of Escada and is associated with the company since 2003. He thinks that a garment should be ageless, timeless, and yet modern in design.

Fibre2Fashion: Since how long you have been associated with ESCADA and which has been your most memorable day at office/in your career till date?

Daniel Wingate:

I have currently celebrated 10 years at ESCADA. My most memorable moment was flying to Stockholm to wardrobe Princess Victoria, as my mother is Swedish and was personal moment for me and at the same time an honor for the ESCADA brand.

F2F: When you design a piece, does any specific personality/celebrity/model come to your mind? Whom do you think of when you are designing a creation?

DW:

I think not of a person, but if the garment is ageless, timeless, and yet modern in design.

F2F: According to you, what is the importance of fashion shows? At times, the collection is a hit on the ramp, but the same has to suffer when it comes to the outlets.

DW:

Fashion shows are still relevant, but I believe today there are many other media outlets to touch a broad range of customers internationally. For example ESCADA’s new online shop or Style.com. Here we have seen an amazing response!

F2F: For a designer, what are the ethics for creation?

DW:

Passion, an open mind for new ideas, and often also insecurity.

F2F: .Which markets are doing well in the luxury apparels segment?

DW:

USA, Asia, Russia. For ESCADA the US are the biggest market with about 20% of total sales followed by Germany, Japan, Russia, China and Spain.

F2F: Do you feel that there is limited scope for designers in menswear segment?

DW:

Not really, I think it’s time that menswear breaks out of its own mold!

F2F: Which is that one piece designed by you that is most close to your heart and why?

DW:

From the current pre-fall 2013 collection. A long Wedgwood blue silk faille gown with silver leather band on the bustier photographed recently on Michelle Williams. Architectural in its shape and construction, unique in fabrication and color, and for me – the modern new direction of ESCADA.

F2F: In market, as soon as creation is launched by a brand, its replica is available at a cheaper price in local markets. What is your say on this?

DW:

I prefer to make uniquely designed collections that cannot be copied by local markets. Therefore the luxury remains, as not everyone can have it.

F2F: Do you like to design for home furnishings? Does it give a designer a new dimension to think?

DW:

I personally love home furnishings, architecture, etc. and I definitely believe it gives a designer a new dimension to think. As it’s not what a woman is wearing anymore, it’s where she is eating, sleeping, sitting, entertaining etc.

F2F: Define an ideal look for the coming season i.e. appropriate dressing style, prints, fabric, accessories etc.

DW:

I am in love with the jumpsuit from spring/summer to fall/winter! It’s modern, sexy, comfortable and CHIC like hell. Worn with snake or fish skin accessories, it brings back texture and the animalistic DNA that has always been in the ESCADA collections!

F2F: What is your suggestion to the budding designers, who want to make a career in this field?

DW:

Fashion is furious, exciting, but a lot of work as it is a business today. Be prepared for that, but be international in your thoughts for all markets and experiences, as the world gets smaller, the new, exciting designers will emerge out of new exciting countries.