MATTHEW ADAMS DOLAN USA

“I was born in Danvers, outside Boston in Massachusetts, but before I started school my family moved to Sidney, Australia. Later I went to Parsons for my Master of Fine Arts,” says Matthew Adams Dolan. “My mum is a narcotics investigator, although I grew up with her sewing my whole life. I wasn’t sure exactly which direction I wanted to go in, but I knew I wanted to do something creative. I’ve always liked reading and history, so it had to be something that blended these elements together. Even when I was at Parsons I never wanted to start my own label, as I was always super interested in textiles. I applied to lots of jobs after I nished school, but it was proving di cult to nd work, so that was what eventually led me to start my own thing.” The inspiration for his brand starts from tropes of American dress such as cable knit and iconic images of America. “I was in uenced by sportswear and ’90s branding, and was obsessed with a book about the Lo Lifes, which was a Brooklyn gang xated with Polo. It so intrinsically linked with the idea of aspiration and re-appropriation, and it was a very American thing to sell a lifestyle.” His sources of inspiration also include iconic brands and designers: “I’ve always been fascinated with Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons. What I love in fashion is the idea of a story.” Regarding his next collection, the designer adds: “I want to expand on the tailoring work that I did for the rst time last season.” •