LIAM HODGES, A MUTATED IDENTITY
Liam Hodges’ eponymous brand has been making waves for its modern take on the definition of masculinity since the year 2013. More than being known for its use of patchwork, workwear silhouettes and graphic nature, one of their characteristic features is their keen interest in all types of subcultures. Everything from skate, grime, to punk, techno or rave culture, which we could say are generally found in the UK but more specifically in London, where the brand is based, but Liam would disagree on that. Liam Hodges uses an infinite combination of influences that create a mixed or even mutated identity seen in his outlandish and incredibly contemporary designs. We talk to him about this and more.
How would you describe Liam Hodges, the brand, to someone who’s never heard about it?
We often describe it as a menswear brand for anyone, not everyone, using meta-fictional narratives to create clothes that reflect the world around us. We strive to present a modern take on the aspirational by empowering the wearer with humour and intelligence.
Coming from a small town and moving to London a few years ago must have been very overwhelming. How would you say that living in London has influenced your work?
It hasn’t. We live online.
Before going to university you never really knew you’d end up doing what you’re doing, you’ve said that you “just happened” to end up studying fashion. You strike me as a go with the flow kind of guy. How do you manage to stay calm and collected in such a hectic industry?
The trick I’ve found is just to have a good team around you who have their own voice, are willing to challenge my ideas but who are also willing to get the job done and rise to the challenges we throw at one another.
When and why did you join Fashion East, the London-based organisation for emerging designers? In which ways do you think they have helped you?
Lulu Kennedy (founder and director) and the team at Fashion East were really supportive at the start. I applied and was fortunate enough to get chosen as one of their designers. They helped me with a platform to showcase my work but most importantly was the ongoing support in exploring my ideas and navigating the industry.
Could you tell us a little bit about what your creative process is like?
It changes each season. Sometimes it’s all drawing and working through a broad spectrum of research and other times it’s a focus on one idea, one outcome. This is often reactive to what’s going on. The subjects and our point of view are really reactive to what’s going on, we don’t create in a void, it’s very connected to reality.
Each season follows different themes, however, the one common thread between all collections is your interest in London subcultures influenced by music, from grime to techno and rave culture, for example. Would you agree with that?
I think we started very British but there’s a global influence. These subcultures and music genres are shared globally, it’s not so one dimensional anymore. We find kids listening to grime in Berlin who make experimental electronic sounds. The subcultures of today are personal and often a curation of oneself.
Your latest collection titled Mutations in the 4th Dimension is your answer to the nostalgia and apparent perfection that plague the fashion world. Do you find these specific subjects to be overdone? Is that why you wanted to open a conversation around them?
I think there are a lot of different ways to look at the world. And reality is what you make it. For us, the view we chose isn’t perfect.
Who would be your dream collaborators?
We always strive to work with people and brands that we connect with. You can usually tell in the first meeting if it makes sense or not. I think the best collaborators are the ones we weren’t expecting.
What does the future hold for you and the brand?
It’s always changing. And evolving. The world today is moving so fast we will be reacting and moving with it.
