It may have taken the mysterious Banksy to thrust graffiti to the mainstream but the controversial art have always enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with fashion. Picture the primal self-expression that comes with the colourful street art, that heeds no boundaries, even the law; and you can see the exact same rebellious DNA in couture, whether in John Galliano’s works of technical genius or Vivienne Westwood’s ode to punk. This is where trends are made, and as Louis Vuitton showcased in their wildly received Stephen Sprouse collaboration collection in 2001, the marriage of the two art forms is akin to mixing butter and sugar on bread – it’s an explosion of flavours that leaves your taste buds tingling.
Hermés is the latest design house to pick up on the trend. Last month in Singapore, the Hermés storefront at Scotts Square was given a splash of new paint in the form of graffiti tagging. But this was no case of illegal behaviour from young hoodlums. Rather, the mastermind behind the spray can was France’s most famous graffiti artist, Cyril Phan, otherwise known as Kongo.
No stranger to the brand, having collaborated on the Hermés Graff Scarves for Fall/Winter 2011, the typically high-end Hermés Singapore outlet was given a dose of Kongo’s personalized street cred. The result, an eye-catching display of the two worlds meeting not often seen in the strict nation state. Tongue in Chic took the opportunity to find out what makes the French-Vietnamese artist tick.
Kongo aka Cyril Phan, 42, French Graffiti Artist
Who is your style icon?
I have none.
I will never be caught dead in…
A kilt.
I splurge on…
Travel.
Describe your personal style in 3 words.
T-shirt, sneakers, fresh.
What are your personal style rules?
Be fresh.
The Hermés Graff Silk Scarf created by Kongo for the design house
What is your most treasured possession?
My graffiti belt buckle from Anjuna.
My idea of a perfect holiday is …
When I’m with my family in the Carribbean. We go to the river, wash in black soap, sunbake with volcanic clay, hike up the mountain at sunrise, eat freshly caught fish.
What is your beauty regime?
I like karité butter from Africa; it’s really moisturising and makes your skin feel like a baby’s.
What is your favourite scent?
Habit Rouge by Guerlain.
Yay or Nay? Pop art
Yay! I love Andy Warhol.
What’s currently playing on your iPod?
Lots of dancehall, soul and reggae.
Visuals by Dominic Khoo and Chris Ong (courtesy of Hermes)
