How two snakes having sex became a source of inspiration for designer Samuel Friberg
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Courtesy of @samuelfriberg
NAME SAMUEL FRIBERG
AGE 29
COURSE BA Fashion Print, CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
STAR SIGN Libra
PET PEEVES Boris Johnson’s voice, the smell of bacon.
For any fashion student, walking through the halls of a school like Central Saint Martins is an adventure in itself. The birthplace of designers McQueen, Galliano, Tisci and McCartney, it’s every fashionista’s dream. I mean in all honesty, which one of us hasn’t orgasmed at the thought of studying in a place as famed as this? It’s just so CSM.
However for this year’s cohort, the adventure has felt a little off. Arriving a month later than normal, their grand entrance into CSM was met with a beefed-up security system, mandatory social distancing and restricted access to on-site facilities and resources. Worst of all, the Platform Bar was closed. Indefinitely.
As they embarked on their first project, the annual White Show, things only got worse. Old London mayor-turned-bumbling-Prime Minister Boris Johnson led a hopeful 2021 into another national lockdown over the Christmas break. All schools and universities were closed and are still unlikely to reopen before Easter... if even then.
While the fashion industry in all shapes and forms tries to adapt to a global pandemic with an ever-changing array of rules and regulations, I spoke to Samuel Friberg, a first-year Print student, …..
Courtesy of @samuelfriberg
Jeffrey Thomson: Why did you choose to study at CSM? What was the process of getting accepted like?
Samuel Friberg: Many of my favourite designers and artists graduated there and London is the city that inspires me the most, so CSM has been my dream university for a long time. I am a massive procrastinator so had many sleepless nights making my portfolio just before deadlines. My interview kind of started with the tutor saying, “so where are the colours - except for your hair?” I thought I failed big time.
JT: Tell us about the inspiration behind your White Show garment?
SF: I based my concept on the current dating scene and how it is represented in popular culture, especially in pop songs where artists usually describe relationships as a game where you should fool the other person to get what you want from them and then ditch them. It made me think of snakes and I came across a video of snakes having sex (lol) which makes a very interesting shape as they spiral around each other like a rope. It looks affectionate and quite violent at the same time, which is what I wanted my garment to be.
JT: What has lockdown 3.0 taught you?
SF: Leave your bedroom and your screen.
JT: What’s been the hardest thing about studying from home?
SF: Lack of space and equipment. And that stupid little voice in your head that hates everything you do.
JT: When was the last time you dressed up? What did you wear?
SF: New Years Eve, I think. I wore a suit I customised by cutting up some Adidas stripes from the arms and legs of a tracksuit I found in the streets. I pinned it onto the suit’s arms and legs. Business in the front and party on the sides!
JT: How would you describe your style?
SF: My former colleagues used to call me Dorothee from Hell when I would come to work. I like dark and scary looks but with some cuteness or playful twist to it.
Courtesy of @samuelfriberg
JT: Best thing you’ve overheard at CSM?
SF: Can’t think of anything yet, we’ve been so distanced from each other because of Covid. I loved hearing people play piano in the main hall - it was the closest I could get to a gig this year.
JT: Worst fashion trend you participated in?
SF: I think sea punk in my Tumblr days… I used to buy bindi’s and bridal jewellery on Bethnal Green Road - cultural appropriation here she comes! I miss those times though - warehouse bedrooms were £300 a month and we didn’t know the future would be such a slap in the face.
JT: Simons or Galliano?
SF: Galliano’s a genius designer-wise but I hope he got help dealing with his antisemitism…
JT: Miuccia or Donatella?
SF: Miuccia.
JT: Fashion week IRL or on the URL?
SF: IRL!!! I miss the parties. London becomes like a festival during fashion week - you meet fun people and always end up cracking up on the phone with your friend the morning after because something crazy happened the night before.
JT: Instagram or TikTok?
SF: Both.
JT: Staying in or going out?
SF: Going out.
JT: What are you looking forward to in 2021?
SF: Getting that vaccine needle stuck in everyone’s arm so we can live again.