LEISURE LETTER 8: CREATIVE DIRECTOR & ARTIST GERGEI ERDEI
Dandy Del Mar- How would you say you define yourself as an artist and designer?
GERGEI ERDEI- I think I am a bit of everything because the stages of the creation process requires different roles and knowledge. When arranging shoots I am a creative director, when designing prints a designer of course. I like this mobility and I love to do all, however I imagine myself more as a creative director in the future.
DDM- What are your favorite mediums that you utilize in your work?
GE- I focus a lot on prints based on hand illustrations which I sometimes re-collage digitally. Most of my works are very manually produced till the point I am involved.
DDM- Your aesthetic has a very eclectic feel. You seem to blend 60s and 70s pop culture with an antique look. Where do you draw inspiration from and what inspires your style?
GE- Yes, I love to mix things together. I am very much into advertising and packaging designs and overall the approach to branding and communication in the 60's-70's. I try to apply my fashion background for the interior context and design products with a more catching and visual story around them. My main inspiration is the 70's South of France and Italy, 60's advertising, the works of Gio Ponti, the photos of Glen Luchford, neoclassicism, kitsch.
DDM- What has been one of your best professional experiences so far?
GE- I have a background in fashion and I think it helps a lot to design interior products with a different eye. I worked for Gucci as a Womenswear and later as an Embroidery designer in the creative team of Alessandro Michele. I think my passion for surrealism and antique elements evoked before I started to work for the brand but it certainly got to the right place after I lived and worked in Rome.
DDM- Do you have any upcoming showings or collaborations that you can tell us about?
GE- I am working on my next collection and on the launch of new product categories and a new website and branding. This pandemic may made things a bit more confusing but I use my time a lot to find ways of improving the our costumer service and preparing a lot of new exciting designs.
GERGEI ERDEI