Jaiden James, 20, Rasharn deVera Agyemang, 21, British, Menswear (designs under the name Jaiden rVa James)

Where did you study and why did you decide to study there?
Jaiden: I studied at The Fashion Retail Academy; I studied there because I have a huge respect for the British high street. I had recently finished an internship at a luxury design house, so I wanted to see how the opposite of luxury worked. I have a huge respect for its founder Philip Green & Topman as he has helped nurture and support British menswear.
Rasharn: About five years ago Christopher Russell-Evans who is currently works for Alfred Dunhill and  Stowers Bespoke was my mentor for a few weeks in high school, he advised me that LCF would be the best option for me because they were the only university that did a BTECH course for 16 and over at the time. He also studied there so he had an idea of what the teaching was like lets just without him I wouldn’t be in the industry. It led me to continue on at LCF and complete a BA in Menswear design.

Which city do work in and for what reason?
We work in London, it is where we grew up and it is a city we will always have respect for. Everyone has a vision in London and each vision is different I guess that’s what makes the London fashion scene so energetic and unique and everyone is generally nice to one another. We’ve watched the rise of British menswear and love where it is at the moment but we still feel that it needs to be taken that one step further with the introduction of men’s only fashion shows on schedule.

What films/books/tv-programs/moments and stories inspire your design now?
Films like Clockwork Orange, This is England. Books such as Skins: Gavin Watson, Skinhead: Nick Knight and almost every fashion magazine. Moments: Punk movement. Stories: The tragic tale of Sid Vicious.

In your own words describe your last collection.
The  collection is called ‘Evening Punk’ with each collection we like to develop a story and pretend that we are characters within the story whilst  developing the collection. Wehave always loved the subcultures that Britain has produced from the New Ravers, Mods, Rockers and Indie kids but have always loved Punk most of all. The collection is based on Sid Vicious and if he was alive would he still be a punk. We based it on him growing old gracefully and wearing evening fabrics like Velvet, Lace and Silk of course he still has a bit of rebel and there is lace trousers that appear to flash flesh and sheer shirts that do We remained true to punk staples like biker jackets but reworked them in Velvet to give them a more softer feel and a more grown up approach.  

Describe the moment you realised you wanted to be a fashion designer?
Rasharn: I was quite young when I discovered how much I loved fashion, my grandmothers' old clothes from the 60s and 70s with strong prints and amazing craftsmanship always caught my eye, It was around the time Galliano had just started at Dior and Tom Ford  was reigning supreme at Gucci. Both visions amazed me and Galliano continues to. Gianni Versace  was also one of the main reasons; his clothes, his use of the supermodels everything was outstanding. I also recently got fitted for my first bespoke suit from Stowers Bespoke.
Jaiden: I knew fashion was what I wanted to do, when I fell in love with the amazing glamour and extremely chic clothes portrayed in magazines like Vogue and Harpers and the edgy yet brilliant styles that captivated me in Dazed & Confused, i-D, The Face & Interview. But for definite when I saw the image of Alexander Mcqueen on the cover of The Face with a chalk white face and demonic eyes that image was overwhelming.

Who is your all time fashion idol?
Jaiden: Hedi Slimane
Rasharn: Karl Lagerfeld

In a sentence how would you describe your work/style?
To deliver contemporary menswear, cutting edge but always wearable designs.

From the recent S/S 09 shows, which shows were your favourite collections, and why?
Louise Goldin, whose sculptural designs have modernised knitwear, MAN & James Long for his approach to menswear on a whole, Basso & Brooke for their use of colour and House of Holland for his translation of London's youthful energy.

Which new designers do you respect and why?
Rasharn: The new designers I respect are James long, Gareth Pugh,  Christopher Kane  and Eric Lebon, I love these designers because each of these designers are not afraid to think out of the box even though some of their collections are not something you would see your average man or woman wear down the street. I also recently got fitted for my first bespoke suite at Stowers Bespoke on Savile Row. The quality, style, cut and fit was so amazing. This may not sound new to others but to me it was a new and wonderful experience and for once in my life I can actually have a jacket in my closet that fits to perfection. 
Jaiden: Carri Mundane for her vivid use of colour in sportswear, Aitor Throup for the time and effort he puts in for the construction of his garments and how they relate to the body

If you could go back in time and experience any fashion moment, what would it be?
Jaiden: Yves Saint Laurent's first show for Dior and his last for his own label
Rasharn: The 60s.

If you could get any model/ anyone to wear your clothes, who would it be - who is your muse and why?
We  would want to dress the men of several nations we don’t care who they are. They might be a celebrity or they might be a road sweeper as long as they understand the vision and love the clothes we create then I can say we are doing the job right. 

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?
A young photographer who we worked with called Brett Lloyd and a young stylist called Rapheal Castelmezzano and the model would be Ash Stymest at Models One

Where do you see yourself/your label for A/W 09?
We would like to have shown as part of MAN and do some more collaborations maybe with Topman to bring the Jaiden rVa James concept to a wider and youthful audience.   

Where do you see yourself/ your label for A/W 29?
To be stocked worldwide, to work closely with a sports label to develop my own label with them as sportswear is the clothes we grew up around.  We wouldn’t actually mind designing for a larger label as we see untapped potential in so many luxury houses menswear divisions.

Tell us any anecdotes about the making of your last collection.
We learned that Fashion came before food.

If you weren’t a fashion designer what would you be?
Rasharn: Fashion consultant and stylist.
Jaiden: Fashion journalist and stylist.