K8 is Gr8

Taking an ad hoc, gutsy thrift store, and playfully artsy approach to her new collection for New York's J.F. & Son, K8 Hardy launched this New York Fashion Week with a character driven AW 10-11 line. J'Approve, created from a project curated by Travis Boyer called MFT (My Favourite Things), is the new apparel collection designed by K8 HArdy who was invited for her well known use and abuse of ashion in her art. Dazed speak to the artist/designer to see how she came up with all the madness...

Dazed Digital: What inspired your collection?
K8 Hardy: The collection is based on performance pieces I have worn throughout the years as well as thrift and sculptural work I have exhibited.

DD: Describe the woman you design for?
K8 Hardy: I think that J'Approve has pieces for people across the spectrum of styles. I was really interested in making pieces that could fit in with a number of different looks and be styled in a multitude of ways.

DD: Why fashion design?
K8 Hardy: I've always used fashion in my work, the way a painter would use a certain color- it's not central but it's an element. I designed this line because I was offered the opportunity by Travis Boyer for JF & Son. He's working on a larger project called My Favorite Things that enables artists to use the production resources of JF & Son to make textile-based multiples that they would not be able to on their own. Some have made blankets, I chose a fashion line because I love clothes and styling.

DD: How does your design process work?
K8 Hardy: First I picked out some of my favourite items from my own closet for inspiration, hence the name My Favorite Things/MFT. From there I worked with Travis to project forward from the inspiration and design new pieces. We researched fabrics, textile processes, and worked with a pattern-maker at JF & Son. It was fun!

DD: You've exhibited in the likes of the Tate Modern, where do you aim to go next?
K8 Hardy: I just want to head back to my studio and make new work. I hope to be able to show my work to as wide an audience of possible, wherever that takes me.

DD: What do you think of J.F and Son's designs?
K8 Hardy: J'Approve!

DD: Who are your favourite designers?
K8 Hardy: I don't have any favorite designers actually. I like elements from them all. I've never felt singularly aligned. I think some are more talented than others, but I'm just as happy to get a cool piece from the charity shop as a boutique. It's all about the bigger picture for me.