At FAULT we’re always excited to  hear about new creative projects and unique ideas. Recently we spoke to British menswear designers LUX&NOAH and electronic music producer Gold Panda about their potentially groundbreaking collaboration, here are LUX&NOAH’s answers:

FAULT: Tell us about your new project with Gold Panda…

Noah: We’re working with music producer Gold Panda on LNGP. LNGP is a project that consists of a capsule menswear collection, prints, visuals and film. We research and design every aspect together to fully ensure an honest representation of who we are collectively.

The collaboration between musician and fashion designer is becoming increasingly popular but is still a rare process. Can you see it becoming a commonplace thing, musicians and bands all having their own designer? 

Noah: My love of fashion came from watching what bands wear and more importantly, what the people wear who come to watch that band. There are little pockets of sub cultures where the tiny details of what they wear really impacts people’s opinions of them.

I think the relationship between musicians and fashion designers has always been strong but collaborations are becoming more popular across all creative fields. I don’t believe all musicians will have their own designer. There can be too much subconscious interference on the designer’s part to change the musician’s image which in turn alters their personality.

Lux&Noah also create artwork and stage visuals, was this a natural step for you as a company? If you’re working on the image of something I guess you want to ensure that everything is to the some standard?

Noah: Our collaboration line is something that we can be more free with in terms of creative skills. It’s refreshing for us to branch out from clothing and to make things like prints, visuals and film. Tenacity will get you everywhere. Gold Panda has been an incredible person to work with as he’s allowed us to really push the boat out. Bands that we’ve worked with before, especially their management, are too protective and collaborating becomes impossible as you’re not allowed into their lives. Direct daily contact with Gold Panda allows us to communicate ideas effectively which is the reason that the prints made for us by Caro Langton for the clothing were quickly handed over to be turned into visuals for the track ‘Community’ from ‘Half of Where You Live’. This is also the track that LUX&NOAH is executively producing a music video for so it’s great that the clothing, visuals and music video have a connecting visual story. The film will be produced by Scott Ward (WASNOTWASFILMS) and Whitecoat Soho.

What inspires you outside of fashion and music?

Noah:  Everything about youth fascinates me – it’s something we can’t hold on to but it’s what everyone wants. I think I realised I was always inspired by youth after seeing Hedi Slimane’s photography. The way in which he documents youth illustrates the energy, beauty and innocence that can only come with being young. His clothing is always minimal simplicity and it’s the same with his photographs- snippets of bare flesh, uneasy portraits and guiltless eye contact. Slimane also explores religious iconography, another of my inspirations.  I don’t believe in religion but I am mesmerized by the multiple beliefs and how they actual entwine, at some points following the same story.

Colour and texture are key parts in any design process and when researching I always find myself looking into aggressive architecture. The grey, dull and harsh buildings that generally people hate, I love. I like my work to have a strong masculine approach and this visual imagery always helps to illustrate this. The Barbican is my favourite place in London- I think it’s voted one of the worst places in London or something but I find it stunningly beautiful. There are lots of hidden pockets where you can just sit and be calm because it’s so quiet.

If you could choose any musician/band, whom would you most like to work with?
Noah:  I think James Blake could be a great collaboration. Crystal Castles would be awesome but I think Alice Glass would destroy me. The Knife would be incredible. SMD would be trippy! Friendly Fires would be fun.

Are there any that you would avoid?

Noah:  Jessie J. She’s like an even more annoying Jade Goody, if that’s even possible…

When you are designing clothing, do you have a specific place in mind for it… can you envisage the perfect setting for the piece to be worn?

Noah:  I try not to have too many restrictions when designing as it’s nice to remain free but it’s a different game when you’re designing bespoke clothing for a specific client. Once you know where the clothing is going to be used you have to then research that environment, so for Gold Panda it’s very important to have lightweight, low maintenance and comfortable products that he can use on tour.

What’s next for you as a brand, do you have any exciting plans, news or aims?

Noah: Everything is going so fast and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Once LNGP is released my next aim is to push our mainline products into stores whilst securing a new collaborative project. I want to put more focus into a few products rather than extending to a huge collection. My aim, as always, is to run a sustainable British brand that’s fucking cool.

We also spoke to Gold Panda about genre trends, inspiration and the future of music/fashion collaborations:

FAULT: What’s the relationship between your fashion choices and the music you create?

Gold Panda: I’m making mainly instrumental music so I’m almost leaving a canvas that people can paint their emotions onto. Fashion choices are based on various factors such as budget, colour and how the garment hangs and when I’m likely to wear it. If I’m touring and playing shows I pick usually black clothes that are easily replaced if left in a hotel room, also I don’t want something to detract from my performance on stage and the atmosphere. The emphasis needs to be on the music. I like really bad t shirts that are usually have some biker motif, a girl riding a Harley for instance, I like flowers and I like dark colours that make me feel like I could be invisible in a crowd. Unfortunately as I’m now over 30 comfort plays a larger role in my fashion choices. I think, if I am to search for a direct link between my music and choice of clothes it would be repetition with one small element that stands out.

How important is fashion within your genre of music? Do you see ‘uniform’ trends?

Gold Panda: If I am honest, I think fashion in my genre of music tends to be just clothing yourself so that you are not naked. I think sportswear or “urban” clothing might make an appearance and I think this is due to freebies from brands etc, which struggling musician would decline free shit? With the exception of some “superstar” djs most are quite introvert so I guess dark colours.

Can you see this collaboration between musician and designer becoming a regular process within the industry?

Gold Panda: Personally I was vehemently opposed to anything that combined music with fashion whether it was a magazine or some kind of sponsorship. Lux&Noah have opened up another avenue for me to be creative and I think the reason why I had reservations previously about such a thing was that I didn’t feel like I had any connection fashion or anything worthy to contribute. This collaboration isn’t to make Gold Panda merchandise to sell but just to be creative in another way.

Which musicians/artists do you see as well-dressed?

Gold Panda: My friend Roxanne is probably the best dressed person I know. Carlos from Interpol, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Will Smith in his Fresh Prince of Bel Air days. I shared a dressing room with Death Grips recently who were wearing all jet black right down to the smallest detail, it was quite intimidating. I think sometimes it is hard to say who is well dressed until you get to know someone, then it adds up.

Art, music and fashion all complement each other; what inspires you outside of music?

Gold Panda: Lots of tea, cities, travelling, drawing. Mainly just being stuck with my own thoughts and some old records in a room.