Brian Lichtenberg's Holographic Life

Katy Perry, Santogold, Beth Ditto and M.I.A. have one thing in common: they were all spotted at some point during their gigs wearing Brian Lichtenberg’s bright and bold designs. But who could resist his trademark hologram panels that enrich futuristic dresses and leggings or his vividly coloured prints on jumper suits, T-shirts and hoodies? Lichtenberg fans should rejoice as the young designer is launching his S/S 09 collection this week at L.A. Fashion Week.  

Dazed Digital: When did you realise you wanted to become a fashion designer? 
Brian Lichtenberg: I took a few clothing construction classes in high school when fashion design first peaked my interest after the discovery of Hussein Chayalan’s work through Björk. I thought his paper dresses made from Tyvek were an amazing concept and I wanted to try my hand at it, but I approached it as an art, not as something for everyday wear. It wasn’t until later that I started using traditional fabrics like cotton and silk.  

DD: When did you launch your own label and what prompted you to start it? 
BL: I started it in the summer of 2000. I had recently moved back to California from New York and needed something to do to make money. A friend of mine owned a boutique in Hollywood and allowed me to put whatever I wanted to make for sale in his shop. I must have made over 200 pieces myself that summer and everything was well received. It built up my confidence to shop it around to other boutiques.

DD: How would you describe your work?
BL: Crazy, sexy and cool.

DD: A while back you chose the Museum of Architecture and Design as the venue for your fashion show, do you feel your designs are influenced by architecture? 
BL: When I was younger I thought I wanted to be an architect and I used to draw out elaborate sketches of tree houses and secret forts with booby traps. Fashion design is just architecture for the body, so it kind of makes sense that I ended up making clothes.

DD: How do you feel when you see photographs of artists wearing your creations and how did you end up designing for M.I.A.? 
BL: It’s a great feeling of course, like a rush, especially because I admire so many of them already, so seeing them in my clothing is like having both talents combined. Last summer I gave M.I.A. some of my designs that I thought she might like and she ended up wearing them that night to her show. They continued to be a staple in her tour and she requested more because she liked them so much. I’m a fan of her music, so it wasn’t hard to design more garments for her. Seeing her perform in L.A. wearing my designs was a highlight of last year.  
        
DD: Would you ever sing with her, rather than design for her? 
BL: I never really thought about it, but that would be awesome. I’d love to collaborate with the producer Switch, he worked on her album and I really admire him.  

DD: Who are the coolest designers at present? 
BL: Nicolas Ghesquière and Christophe Decarnin; I wish Helmut Lang and Hedi Slimane would come back. If I could ever collaborate with another designer I would choose any of them or Christopher Nemeth, as I’ve always admired his work.

DD: Would you ever design a line of accessories?  
BL: Besides the jewellery I’ve done in collaboration with Alex and Chloe, I’m currently working with my friend Franc Fernandez on some hats for my show but would love to branch out and do things like handbags, sunglasses and so on.  

DD: Where can we usually find you in L.A.? 
BL: I’m downtown a lot and I hang out at my friends’ stores where I also sell at, such as Welcome Hunters in Chinatown and Joyrich on Melrose. 

DD: You recently contributed with your designs to Greko Sklavounos’ short film “Static”, what was that like? 
BL: It was a great experience and I would love to do more films in the future, I would also like to style music videos for some of the musicians I work with. 

DD: What are you working on at present?
BL: I’m finishing a dress made from fabric that an elephant painted on for an organisation to save the elephants in Thailand; I’m making outfits for Hannah Montana and Lady Gaga for a live performance and video and putting the final touches to my Spring/Summer 09 collection that is debuting this week at L.A. Fashion Week.