MEN DESIGNING FOR MEN
Two heads are undoubtedly better than one for Bertrand Boll and Guillaume Rava, whose synergy generates stylish menswear under their eponymous label.
The two designers, while contrasting in characters, share the same passion in creating chic and comfortable clothing.
“Bertrand was educated in Milan, so he has the Italian spirit and he’s more into the art of tailoring,” Rava said of his calm Swiss associate.
Boll then described his buoyant French friend: “Guillaume is an easy-going Parisian boy, whose playfulness is reflected on sporty apparel.”
Challenging each other’s ideas, they can finalise on winning designs for the Boll & Rava collection, which was recently launched along with their Ace Denim range in Thailand at King Power Mahanakhon.
The designs are a twist on tailored and sporty clothing, with the duality rendering elegance and casualness, and the versatility allowing donning the pieces for different occasions.
“The aim is to firstly seduce men with our designs, and prompt them to buy our clothing, for instant gratification,” said Rava. “Customer satisfaction then further unfolds over the product lifetime. Our job is to incorporate uniqueness and personality to every garment. Wearing our jacket or pants, men receive compliments like, ‘This suits you well’, and they will always wear it and come back to our brand.”
Likewise, Rava and Boll also receive compliments about their outfits, designed by them. This urged the two to do their own thing besides designing for other fashion houses like Vicomte A.
They met during their studies while working on a project for the French brand, and later developed a unique style based on colour association and use of contrasting fabrics and textures.
In the past six years, while in charge of art direction for Maison Lorenz Bach, they met leading Italian suppliers, fabric makers and small ateliers that collaborated with big fashion brands.
Their job has them travelling around the world, constantly in search of new materials tools, craftsmen and inspirations.
“We wear our creations when travelling and we are often stopped by other travellers, who compliment our style,” said Boll. “For instance, we were waiting for our luggage at an airport conveyor belt, and a lady asked where she could buy what we wore for her boyfriend.”
The compliments encouraged them to fashion shirts, blazers, pants and scarves for a traveller’s wardrobe.
“It’s about answering our own needs first, by coming up with a collection that is a reflection of our lifestyle. Then we want to share it with other men,” said Rava.
Some of their ideas had them challenging the status quo, such as making jogging pants from fabric conventionally used for tailoring men’s suits. The long-established fabric supplier didn’t agree with the inventive designers, who showed how to break with tradition.
Tradition, however, also merges with modernity in their designs.
The use of navy blue and dark grey expresses classical tailoring, while Fluo Yellow is a futuristic colour seen on monochromatic tops and accessories as well as eye-catching details such as two dots or diamonds that represent the designer duo.
The aim is to firstly seduce men with our designs. Customer satisfaction then further unfolds over the product lifetime