CREATING A WORLD

THIS SPRING, DRUMAQ IS GOING BACK TO HIS ROOTS. AFTER YEARS OF WORKING IN THE MUSIC SPHERE, THE LOS ANGELES-BASED CREATIVE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A BIG STEP TOWARDS HIS OTHER FAVOURITE AVENUE OF SELF-EXPRESSION – FASHION. AS A GRADUATE OF LA’S FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN & MERCHANDISING – A CHOICE OF ALMA MATER WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE HILLS STAR, LAUREN CONRAD – DRUMAQ KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT CONSTRUCTING A GARMENT. NOW, HE WILL PUT THOSE SKILLS TO USE WITH HIS OWN COLLECTION, LAUNCHING IN THE COMING MONTHS. ALTHOUGH THE DETAILS OF IT ARE FOR NOW KEPT SECRET, BASED ON DRUMAQ’S PENCHANT FOR INTERESTING SILHOUETTES (HIS CURRENT GO-TO BRANDS ARE ACNE STUDIOS AND Y/PROJECT), WE’RE CERTAIN THAT THE LOOKS WILL BRING A FRESH TAKE ON HOT BOY DRESSING. FOR BTB DIGITAL, HE TALKS ABOUT HIS FASHION BACKGROUND, THE COQUETTE AESTHETIC, AND BEING A RIHANNA STAN FOR LIFE.

Left Top, shorts and pants **Acne Studios**, bracelet **Dries Criel**, shoes **Dior Men**
Right Catsuit **Menagerie Intimates**

This year, you will be releasing your clothing collection. Was this something that you always wanted to do?

Yes, it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while now, but honestly, I have been scared. Then finally, I was like, “You know what? Screw it, now’s the time.” So I’ve been working pretty intensely on that. It’s really cool to hold stuff that you have drawn on paper. When you’re creating music, it’s not something that’s tangible. So to be able to hold something that came from your brain is such a trippy experience.

What made you feel like now was the right time to get into designing a line?

Honestly, I just wanted to wear it. I feel like what I’ve created doesn’t really exist right now, so the only way I was gonna be able to put it on my body was to make it. That was the main push. And I just feel like if I’m drawn towards it, then there’s gotta be other people that will feel the same way.

Blazer **Fendi**, necklace **Dries Criel**, shorts **Loewe**, glasses **Bottega Veneta**

What has the process been like for you? Have you ever dabbled in design before?

I actually went to fashion school!

There we go. [Laughs] Which school did you go to?

I went to FIDM [Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising] in LA. It’s the school from The Hills. [Laughs]

Left Top and scarf **Acne Studios**, necklace **Dries Criel**
Right Shirt **Bmuet(te)**, tights **Fendi**

I was just gonna say that! [Laughs]

No, literally, that’s why I went.

It was the Lauren Conrad school.

Literally. I was so obsessed with her, so because she went there, I didn’t apply anywhere else. And I got accepted! I was like, “Cool, I’m gonna be Lauren Conrad now.” [Laughs]

Left Boxer **Snow’s pond**, shorts **Kenzo**
Right Briefs **Louis Gabriel Nouchi**

So how does your music practice influence your design process? Do you see any parallels?

Yeah, I feel like I can’t do anything without wanting to create an entire world around it and tell a story. Everything has to be deeper than what it appears on the surface. It’s really fun for me because I like to immerse myself in a world and I’m drawn to artists and brands who do the same thing. But it can also be tough at times because not everything needs to be so complex all the time. So I’m battling that a bit and trying to figure out how to let things develop naturally.

What are the aesthetics or looks you’re into right now?

I love the coquette boy look – the mix of frills and bows paired with more masculine pieces like athletic jerseys. I just love the contrast of those two styles together – it’s so playful.

Briefs **Louis Gabriel Nouchi**, socks **Doublet**

Who is your ultimate fashion icon?

Rihanna, always and forever. She’s just so effortlessly cool. I often find myself thinking, “How would she wear this?” And I feel like she challenges the ways in which garments are meant to be worn a lot. You know, she’s mixing a fur coat with a jersey, ballet flats and a baseball cap – things that don’t necessarily go together – and she just looks so sick! I want to mimic that attitude as much as possible in every outfit that I put on.