For the story "We are all one" featured under isseyousee's fashion editorials, Darren De Hahn, designer of the brand Pariah, contributed his beautiful and unique designs and also spoke to us about his company, his inspiration and his very personal vision. Here's the interview with Darren

How and when was Pariah born?

Pariah was born during my final year of fashion school. It emerged from the desire to create a clothing brand which did not conform to any preconceived ideas of what clothing can or should be, and instead existed as its own individual entity.

‍What is the brand identity and vision?

The brand identity is rooted in individuality, rebellion, and a complete disregard for societal expectations. It aims to be a safe space for those who exist outside of what might be considered “normal" and those who wish to push boundaries and defy convention. Beyond the nonconformist values, at our core we exist as a brand who possesses a deep love for fashion in its entirety and an undeniable passion for the craft of making clothes. Therefore considering concept, quality, longevity, and timelessness to be amongst our top priorities.

‍Where did the initial idea or concept for this collection come from?

The initial draw for me into the world of fashion was the theatricality of runway shows and the undeniable emotion that the parade of clothing on a catwalk evoked. Later on in life, I grew an equal appreciation for streetwear and the garments that people were wearing around me every single day. For this collection, my aim was to bridge the gap between these two worlds by creating garments that were conceptual and thought provoking but that also embodied a sense of relatability and wearability.

Are there any specific art, music, or cultural references guiding the designs?

Absolutely! A huge source of inspiration for me would be the punk and grunge movements of the 80’s and 90’s. This is a period in time which I associate with heightened individuality. People rebelled against rules and traditions and instead chose to embrace only that which aligned with their personal beliefs and values. Simultaneously, there was this rejection of opulence and lavish decoration with ripped denim, distressed leather, and safety pinned t-shirts becoming the ultimate fashion  statements. This idea of rejecting preconceived ideals, carving your own path and embracing uninhibited self expression is something which inspires me to this day. I also thoroughly enjoy the idea of finding beauty in the unconventional.

‍How do you balance creativity with wearability and production?

This is a huge point of consideration for me as a designer who needs to ensure that my clothes are able to exist not only on the runway but in the real world as well. During the initial stages of my design process, creativity is given preference as I aim to communicate my thoughts and ideas in the most effective and unfiltered way possible. The next stage involves factoring in wearability and ensuring that the wearer has adequate movement within the garments in a way that does not compromise on its storytelling potential. The final stages involves construction consideration, where I aim to develop a garment that not only delivers on concept, but that is assembled in a sound way following trusted garment construction principles. Utilising these more traditional techniques, albeit in somewhat non-traditional ways, means that they may be easily translated to others if necessary for production purposes. At the moment I do design, pattern-make, and construct the majority of my garments completely myself.

Who is the ideal person you designed this collection for?

I designed this collection for anyone who ever felt like they were a bit different. Who felt as though they were not able to relate to their peers because their thoughts, ideas, and interests varied from those around them and were perhaps a bit out of the ordinary. I designed this collection for those who have the desire to express themselves wholeheartedly and unashamedly.

What do you hope people feel or do when they wear these pieces?

I hope that people feel confident. I hope that my clothing provides them with the energy and confidence to take on anything that life may throw at them.

Are there any sustainable practices or ethical considerations in this collection?

Sustainability is a guiding light for everything that I do. Linking back to brand identity, it is of the utmost importance to me that my garments are well constructed using durable materials, ensuring longevity and that they may be passed down from one person to the next and not simply discarded after a handful of wears. All materials are locally sourced with a number of pieces having been made from fabrics which were either donated or leftover from previous projects. As an added step, I personally attempt to use as much of the fabric as possible to reduce waste, often manipulating patterns to maximise usage and embracing subtle imperfections in colour and texture.

What's next for your brand after this collection?

My goal is to continue creating as many unique pieces as I can. I would love to explore, experiment, refine my craft and develop my own little world, with the hope being that I will attract a community of likeminded individuals in the process.

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