:: Spotlight :: Vicious Threads - A cool, dynamic approach to clothing

By: Anna Aucello

The annual Melbourne Fashion Festival is just around the corner and with the entire fashion buzz about town, it seemed an appropriate time to speak to Ivan Gomez. The Melbourne fashion designer will be partaking in the festivities in a big way when his label Vicious Threads appears at the event.

Ivan is a delightful young man with a not so ordinary sense of humour. He likes to do his own thing and will not allow himself to become affected by the notorious ‘bitchy’ nature of the industry. It is this strong attitude and his perseverance that has enabled him to reach the successful heights where he is today.

The talented artist speaks about Vicious Threads with a confidence and sureness like it was his birthright to establish the business. He never hesitates, answering every question promptly. It is easy to understand Vicious Threads’ prosperity when such an enthusiastic driving force is behind it.

After congratulating Ivan on the achievements of a very impressive label, the hip and cool style of Vicious Threads was brought up. Ivan laughed and added that the image of his designs is also upmarket streetwear. ”The look we are hoping to capture is streetwear aimed at young people. Vicious Threads started off as mid upmarket fashion evolving rapidly into a more specialised streetwear look. There was more attention to detail and it eventually became more geared towards young professionals.” Vicious Threads has become renowned for its up-to-the-minute designs and Ivan elaborated that the target market often aids the image of a label. “We have aimed our gear at the 20 – 35 age market, both male and female. It’s for anyone with a point of difference as it is now a boutique brand.”

Ivan’s other prime interest apart from fashion is the entertainment industry. Many would agree that they tend to go hand in hand and this clever character found a way to collaborate the two. He decided he would dress the stars by designing clothes for the entertainment industry. “I enjoy it as when I was growing up, I had friends in the industry. I see it as my main source of inspiration, both musically and visually. It’s about the love for the industry as well. One of the most interesting people for which I have designed clothing has been Jamiroquai. It was a long time ago but he was full of energy and he respects what he wants to do.”

As a relative newcomer, Vicious Threads has found its place in the fashion field. Ivan is very pleased with the way it is all eventuating. In fact, he is overwhelmed. The label is to shortly turn two years of age and it has made an enormous impression both nationally and overseas. There has been no time to reflect on the success and what has been done but one thing Ivan does know is that it really has taken off! At times it has been a coup to obtain some of their successes. Ivan has been distributing internationally, particularly to the U.K. Now he aims to embark on bigger projects overseas and undertake the plan to open more concept stores within the next six to twelve months, adding to the stores Vicious Threads already has in England, Hong Kong, Singapore and Los Angeles. When asked if it is moving too fast, Ivan immediately responded, “No, I want more!” All in time, Ivan!

Having made his mark overseas, with stores in some of the world’s fashion hotspots, Ivan is in a position where he can compare how the overseas response to his label has differed from the Australian one. “The overseas reaction has been great. I feel that there, you are judged on what you produce and accepted for your ability. People know me there as nothing but a fashion designer. That’s because no one knows you there. You are a designer from Australia and you get accepted for that. Whereas in Australia, or locally, you socialise in the industry and everyone knows you. You know all the other designers and they can judge you on other things. The respect may not be there or you may not get the credit you deserve which becomes unfair. There is sometimes jealousy because of one’s overseas mileage. There is nothing like this overseas for me.”

Last year, Vicious Threads was one of the highlights of the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week. Ivan states that the reception was phenomenal for them at the show. “It was a great experience. The overseas majors were there and it was good because we showed where we are heading. The festival itself is important because it exhibits the direction of fashion from overseas and brings it here. For us, it was a huge compliment. The show was amazing. It allowed us a lot of freedom. We had support from our sponsors, Motorola and Redken, who were on the production doing hair and make-up.”

Being a non-stranger to fashion events, Ivan is well prepared for the upcoming Melbourne Fashion Festival. He is looking forward to it and hints that it will be an innovative show on his part. Fashion revellers are in for some surprises and people can expect something new from Ivan. Vicious Threads will be focusing on a lifestyle range this year with a groovy Bohemian influence.

After the Melbourne Fashion Festival, life goes on per normal for Ivan. He returns to more work, and assesses his goals. One of his goals is to extend his overseas domination. What other fashion ambitions does he have? To work with someone interesting? No. Take a different path? Certainly not! Open a brothel? Yes! Never expect a dull answer from Ivan. His goal is to open a ‘fashion’ brothel. Seriously. It is going to be sophisticated! He is certainly one man with an imagination. The public will hear about it when it happens, let that be assured.

Now that it is a known fact that Ivan Gomez is a fashion designer with a difference who has excelled at his skill, what else might be on his enigmatic mind? Obviously, there is more besides fashion out there so he was asked what could he see himself doing if he was not involved in the fashion industry. As previously stated, do not expect tame answers from this man! “A drug dealer,” Ivan replied. “Helping the sick people, especially in Columbia as I have a Columbian background. Maybe I meant prescription drugs, perhaps hand them out to the sick people.”

No one really knows what Ivan meant but everyone hopes that he remains in fashion for a very long time!