Interview with YOUTHAGAINSTFASHION

Francesco is one of the first people I encountered when I joined Chictopia and remember looking at his photos thinking he was sooo cool. Months later, I still think the same thing and that's why I asked him to be featured on my blog. Luckily for me, he said yes!

Francesco - know as YOUTHAGAINSTFASHION - is a stylish Photography and Graphic Design teacher who lives in Florence, Italy. Since February 2009 he has posted more than 100 looks on Chictopia and has now over 300 fans following him. His style is very unique and inspirational. He mostly dresses in black, grey and white - his signature look - but somehow looks completely different everytime. Some people might think black is boring but he proves - like Coco Chanel said - that black is the only true color.
1. How long have you been blogging on Chictopia and why did you start?
I had known the community for a while and I usually visited the site to look for inspiration, but I never thought about posting my own pictures. During that period I was working on my very last school project about fashion photography. I “modeled” for my own photo shoot, wearing some of my favourite outfits and I thought I could share them on Chictopia. Once I started, I kept uploading my looks. I love the community a lot.

2. In general, what is fashion to you and what does it mean in your life?
For me, fashion is a very pleasant game; I enjoy thinking about my outfits, dressing up every day. I think I’ve always been interested about my personal look, the way I appear. That’s something that has been developing through the years. But I wasn’t so aware of fashion world until three/four years ago. I’ve always been fond of Arts. Later I discovered that fashion could be an art form as well.

3. Were you stylish growing up or were you a late bloomer?
I’d say a late bloomer.  I didn’t take many risks at first.  I dressed a lot in black and grey, always trying to make a very balanced outfit, both in shapes and colors. Then I wanted each of my outfit to have an element a bit off the rails, that could balance my classic/plain looks. I played a lot with ties, all kind of ties (I love them) and accessories like pins, brooches or bracelets. Only recently, I’ve been trying to add some colors to my outfits -  it’s something I’m still working on! 

4. What is your earliest childhood/teenage memory about fashion?
When I was a teenager I used to make fun of people who were wearing big fashion names, like Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Burberry etc. I thought it was useless to buy such expensive clothes just to show off the brand, especially if the dress, the shirt or whatever didn’t fit your body or style. Later I’ve understood that some of those fashion designers work hard, some of them make pieces of art, and then it’s up to “common” people to play with those pieces. I was really YOUTHAGAINSTFASHION.

5. You are a fan of Vivienne Westwood, what do you like most about her and her work as a designer?
She’s wonderfully crazy and creative. I love the fact that she started her career with a very open attitude. She wanted try new things, to spread and share some ideas, and she made some fashion statements that live till now.  She balances being a woman, an artist, a business woman and it's something I like about her. Beside this, I’m always amazed by her creations.  Sometimes she goes over the line, but I love her even for this.

6. Do you already have an idea of what you’re going to wear this fall?
I’d love to try new colors. I’ve already seen some pieces from brands such as H&M or Topman that I’d love to wear. I’ll keep remixing my old clothes with new ones - it’s something that I enjoy a lot! And I’ve just bought a Vivienne Westwood jumper that I’m looking forward to wearing.

I would like to thank Francesco for this interview.

Follow him :
HIS BLOG ON CHICTOPIA
HIS PAINTINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS