How was life after graduation? What did you do?
Straight after graduation, I came back to my hometown in Normandy. It is called Le Havre and it is by the sea. I was very tired of London and big cities in general, maybe because of the stress of the diploma as well. I didn’t see myself staying in London, struggling to get a job to pay for a studio space just so I could continuing making creative things. I also felt the need to do other things outside fashion. Being at Le Havre helped me find the time and space to try things, which made me happy. I now have my studio space in there and I split my time between Le Havre and Paris.
“If I did work for another brand straight after school, I wouldn’t be able to find the strength, the energy, or even the desire to go back to making things on my own.” – Diane Gaignoux
How did you decide to keep developing your own work instead of working for another brand?
I have always been interested in the garment as a medium, as well as other types of art and techniques. I didn’t want to focus on clothing only, and especially on the commercial part of it. I thought that if I did work for another brand straight after school, I wouldn’t be able to find the strength, the energy, or even the desire to go back to making things on my own. I was scared of getting comfortable in a stable situation.
Was it a difficult decision?
I think that it was obvious to me, even if I didn’t know what I was going to do. I guess it was difficult in the way that I had to find my own purpose. Knowing what you want to do and what you can bring is quite challenging and not always easy. Also, you have to be the one reassuring yourself.