Celebrity Life

Basmaijian’s sartorial success is hardly an orthodox story. But his commercial realism combined with creative vision made for a powerful combination in the world of traditional menswear. Collaborating with the likes of Paolo Roversi, Ellen von Unwerth and Patrick Demarchelier on brand campaigns, he communicates his vision through the best. “I’m American, so a lot of the training I had in the States – at these big brands like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein – always had a commercial touch,” the designer explains, “I’m quite happy I went from the American structure to the European one, rather than vice versa, as Europe is much more focused on the creativity.” Studying communications and marketing at university, he worked summers in a speciality fashion shop for men and women: “That’s where I kind of got bitten by the fashion bug. All these beautiful clothes, cuts and fabrics – the cashmeres – I loved it. And I thought, ‘I’ve gotta do this.’” The hands-on skills, however, were honed in a very small shop in Boston, with a head tailor from Abruzzo who taught him tailoring and pattern cutting. Ironically, Basmajian would later do work in Abruzzo at Brioni. Learning on the job in those days, “We had to do everything,” says Basmajian, whose shaved head and perfect stubble recall a designer Jason Statham. During an Armani internship, he discovered the power of branding: “The ambience, the flowers, the uniforms, the music, the way people spoke – the world of this brand. Twenty-five years ago, it was rare for a fashion brand to create a universe that was so immersive.”

[caption id="attachment_202066" align="alignnone" width="724"] Basmajian's direction, Gives & Hawkes revamped its 1 Saville Row store[/caption]

While modernising Cerruti menswear into a punchy, powerful fashion-forward offering that revelled in the lessons of detailing, quality and heritage, Basmajian also reintroduced womenswear at the label. I still remember screen-grabbing those runway images for my own style inspiration. “I had so many female friends telling me they loved that jacket, coat or shirt and asking if they could buy the samples,” he says. “Then female influencers started calling over the men’s collection.”

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CERRUTI-1881-FALL-WINTER-2019-LOOK-6.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CERRUTI-1881-FALL-WINTER-2019-LOOK-28.png" right-caption="Cerruti 1881 Autumn/Winter 2019 runway look" left-caption="Cerruti 1881 Autumn/Winter 2019 runway look"]

Great tailoring and style, whether male or female, is about a good cut, fabric or colour – designers since Coco Chanel have been borrowing across genders – the idea, he reminds us, isn’t new. There’s also been that flipping, between being more Italian, English, then Italian suiting styles. Brioni was a continental Italian style, power suits and all, then at British heritage powerhouse Gieves & Hawkes, his sexier revamp of traditional British Savile Row style fit a contemporary customer – introducing a fresher lifestyle to the brand: cool runway shows, revamped stores and shopping experience.

[caption id="attachment_202048" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Gieves & Hawkes Autumn/Winter 2014 campaign[/caption]

“It was such an exciting project … taking on 240 years of history at the brand. London just has such creativity, but it was an international business through and through, as it was owned by Trinity – there was scalability.” The last two decades have seen major shifts in menswear – traditional codes are being questioned and shaken up. There’s been the relaxing of suiting and tailoring, a vigorous new take on men’s accessories and Dandy-ism, as well as a focus on casual, sportswear and summer suits for warmer climes. Brands have a more global audience, and a younger set of men from Europe and Asia have also embraced the pleasures of well-tailored clothing. The power of streetwear on men’s fashion is undeniable. All of it came to a head during Basmajian’s tenures at these famous labels – it required a deft hand and precise vision to modernise each without straying too far from their DNA. “The best advice Nino Cerruti gave me was, “You can do this, but don’t get distracted by the nonsense and noise of fashion. Stay true to your vision and voice, because you’re creating style, Jason,” he says, reminiscing with twinkly-eyed enthusiasm. So perhaps it’s not so surprising that Basmajian’s focus turns towards interiors, hospitality, art and design. His North London flat, Paris apartment and a pink 19thcentury French villa in the Sancerre countryside have all made it into pages of The Times Magazine, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest USA.

[caption id="attachment_202040" align="alignnone" width="512"] Basjamian’s designer Paris apartment[/caption]

“When I was a kid, my mom said that I used to sit and draw little sketches for restaurants and hotels, spaces like that. I always loved interior spaces and furniture. I think it’s a very organic link to fashion – your eye is always linked to shapes, textures, colour.” His spaces are often filled with contrasting black and whites or warm neutrals often making for stylised minimal base palettes. Striking pieces, such as photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe and Candida Höfer, a vintage Beni Ourain carpet, or a work by American artist Kara Walker, betray an art-loving nature. There’s a penchant for vintage and antique European lamps, chairs and statement vases often filled with gorgeous blooms. Books, trinkets and treasures from his travels make each space feel like a proper home. “An interior, whether residential or commercial, has to convey an emotion and a mood, as does a fashion collection,” says Basmajian. Today he’s concerned with how it all “integrates into a modern lifestyle without compromising an elevated, luxurious and meaningful experience”. Having worked in style and aesthetics for more than three decades, one personal memory sticks in his mind and still informs his take on luxury, whether it’s sartorial, hospitality or interiors. Thirty years ago, learning the trade in that Boston men’s tailoring shop, a young Basmajian strutted into work one day, “very proud of this gorgeous mustard, Shetland wool Italian jacket – from a very prestigious men’s store – that I bought from the money I’d saved up all summer.” The head tailor Giuseppe, an older Italian man, just said, “Gimme that jacket.” Basmajian initially refused.

Giuseppe demanded it, saying, “It doesn’t fit you right,” and reluctantly Basmajian handed it over. He took out his scissors “and to my horror I watched him cut my jacket. He told me to stop panicking and watch what he did. He re-cut my jacket, with minor tweaks, sewed it back on to me and it fit beautifully! It became like a bespoke piece.” “That’s when I realised it’s really all in the details,” says Basmajian, smiling and folding his hands as we finish our meal, “You see, it’s all about the subtlety and the craft.”

[caption id="attachment_202041" align="alignnone" width="480"] Interiors that Basjamian designed for his French countryside villa[/caption]

The post Menswear Star Jason Basmajian on Style, Runway Transformations and Artful Interiors appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Discover Philippe Starck’s Amazing Dining Chair Collections ⇒ Philippe Starck a French designer, architect and creator captured the design world’s attention with his unique projects. From architecture to luxury furniture, his avant-garde pieces are a sight for sore eyes. Take a look at his most famous dining chair collections.

⇒ Spring Kitchen Trends You Can Follow at Home⇐

Ghost

Inspired by the Louis XV-style dining chairs, this modern take on elegance adds a stylish flair to the dining area, being able to become both the centerpiece or an accent that perfectly blends in with the other furniture in the room, allowing more creative customization and styling.

Continue reading Discover Philippe Starck’s Amazing Dining Chair Collections at Luxxu Blog.

By Vanessa Deleon As the temperature warms, we all know that spring is the official start of outdoor living. The outdoor experience includes backyards, front porches, terraces, rooftops and much more. This is the space many spend the majority of time during the warmer season. However, creating the perfect outdoor space can be challenging. The […]

The post The Great Outdoors appeared first on VUE magazine.

Pierre-Yves Rochon: A Leader in Hospitality Design ⇒ Since 1979, Pierre Rochon and his team have strived to enhance the guest experience by providing the most luxurious hotel interiors! Check out some of this designer’s best works.

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Shangri-La Paris

When designing the interiors of the Shangri-La hotel, Pierre-Yves Rochon made sure to maintain its classical French style while adding an international edge that completely suits this hotel chain.

Continue reading Pierre-Yves Rochon: A Leader in Hospitality Design at Luxxu Blog.

Modern design aesthetic and proficient use of neutral colors and sometimes more vibrant tones are what best define the work of Cheshire-based design company, Grey Rose Interiors, but take a look for yourself at her astonishing interior design projects!

Established back in 2013 by interior designer Amy Bruce, Grey Rose Interiors is a multidisciplinary interior design company based in Cheshire in northwest England.

Continue reading Modern Design: 9 Minimalist & Refined Projects by Grey Rose Interiors at Luxxu Blog.

During the occasion of the Toronto Interior Design show last month, Jonathan Adler exhibited one of the most colorful and elegant installations we have seen in a while!

The New-York based interior designer, Jonathan Adler, who is best known for his vibrant and generous interiors. At the Interior Design Show in Toronto, showcased Dreamland, a unique installation that is best described as a portal to the world of fantasy.

Continue reading Recall Jonathan Adler’s Dreamland Seen at Toronto Interior Design Show at Luxxu Blog.

If you are having difficulties coming up with unique ways to decorate your kitchen, then the following kitchen design ideas may be the creative tool you need to upgrade your set.

Kitchen decoration can be quite a tricky subject, there’s a lot of options nowadays for one to keep in mind, from what type of materials to choose to countertops and kitchen islands, among many others.

Continue reading See Unique Kitchen Design Ideas In a Variety of Styles and Aesthetics at Luxxu Blog.