Andrea Cammarosano, 23, Italian, Womenswear and Menswear

Where did you study and why did you decide to study there?
Antwerp, because of the fame of the Academy.

Which city do work in and for what reason?
Antwerp, it's cheap and I have good friends and a good network.

What films/books/tv-programs/moments and stories inspire your design now?
My 20-square-metres rooftop in Antwerp, located in a hardcore Polish-inhabitated building owned by an orthodox Jewish guy.

In your own words describe your last collection.
Its about a mineral woman that got sick playing with radioactive materials when she was young.

Describe the moment you realised you wanted to be a fashion designer?
I have to convince myself every morning again and again.

Who is your all time fashion idol?
I prefer to talk about my idols than my fashion idols.

In a sentence how would you describe your work/style?
Fortunate and very optimistic.

From the recent S/S 09 shows, which shows were your favourite collections, and why?
I haven't checked them all, so I shouldn't say

Which new designers do you respect and why?
All of them, really, because I know how hard it is to establish something new today. It takes loads of will and effort, and those are all things I respect.

If you could go back in time and experience any fashion moment, what would it be?
The late 80s for sure. I would like to be a fake Gianni Versace in an underground B-movie

If you could get any model/ anyone to wear your clothes, who would it be - who is your muse and why?
I like women with character, like actress Rossy De Palma and make-up artist Inge Grognard. And I like it when my boyfriend wears my clothes.

If you were to shoot your campaign and you could get your dream team of photographer, stylist, and model and do anything you wanted, who and what would it be?
Ronald Stoops would do the photography, Pedro Almodovar the styling, and I would do the model – whoever he is.

Where do you see yourself/your label for A/W 09?
Showing my new capsule collection in Antwerp, Vienna and Milan. Its called BMS and it is inspired by journeys and memories from the underwater world.

Where do you see yourself/ your label for A/W 29?
Still around, I hope.

Tell us any anecdotes about the making of your last collection.
At first I was a little scared of doing womenswear, as I had never done it before and I was afraid of fitting on girls. But then I realised they are just like us, only with a bigger potato between their legs. Now I look at it in that way, and everything goes well!

If you weren’t a fashion designer what would you be?
I would be a loser, and instead look at me: I'm a 23 years old blonde duck.