Interview

Michael LOMBARD CELEBRITY Fashion Designer

LUXIA: How about starting this interview by telling our dear readers about yourself Michael ?

MICHAEL: I’m a Celebrity Fashion Designer and I’ve dressed celebrities from the likes of Paula Abdul, LeLe Pons, Ovy On The Drums, Prince Royce, Emelia Mernes and many more. Huffington Post has dubbed me “The King of Leather” so I’m pretty honored. I’ve been in over 90 editorial magazines from ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Vogue, L’Officiel, Forbes, and many more. I designer high luxury leather collections for the world.

LUXIA: Tell us about your life as a celebrity fashion designer?

MICHAEL: Well life can get pretty hectic traveling around the world sometimes 6 months out of the year. Between editorial shoots, interviews, designing new collections, social media, making sure my brand is in stores, marketing meetings it’s hard sometimes to relax and take it all in but nothing I rather do more than create for the world to see.

LUXIA: You’ve done a lot of traveling. Where do you think is the hot spot for fashion?

MICHAEL: This is a tough one because I think there are a few and some sleepers that are up and coming but I think it’s still Paris. They take fashion very seriously.

LUXIA: What has been the most memorable and most exciting experience of your career so far?

MICHAEL: I’ve had many memorable experiences but going to Cape Town, South Africa was one of my best. It’s a totally different vibe on fashion there and it was just a very memorable trip. The show experience was incredible. Not taking away from my other amazing shows but just the combination of actually being in Africa and the show vibe. I also was mentioned in over 120 news publications there including GQ, Cosmopolitan, Glamour to name a few. They love US fashion.

LUXIA : What do you like most about being a designer?

MICHAEL : I enjoy the freedom to express myself through designs. I also love to see how people enjoy what I create.

Location Amsterdam Designer Michael Lombard Collection CyberPunk Photographer Alot Pictures Model Michael Lombard MUA Joanne Armstrong

LUXIA : What aspires you when you start a new collection?

MICHAEL : When I travel to different countries I get aspired by things I see and try to process in my head something that I can relate to. I definitely have a plan like a certain design collection in my head I want to create then I start my processes.

LUXIA : As one of the prominent fashion designers at runway fashion weeks, what would you say is the best part of the fashion weeks experience?

MICHAEL : Well I enjoy the whole process cause there really is nothing like it. Seeing my team of models, Hair stylists and makeup artists, photographers and assistants all arriving for one common cause to slay the runway for me is just an incredible experience. Then the feeling of accomplishment once it’s over is no better feeling.

LUXIA : Not including the show production staff, about how many people do you bring in from your own team to help put your show together?

MICHAEL : I definitely bring the biggest team at any of my shows cause I like to be self contained. It also helps my models remain focused on the task at hand and not worrying about jumping in and out of other designers clothes which is pretty stressful.

All in all most shows I bring anywhere from 30-50 people including my models.

LUXIA : How involved are you with the factors that go into your show such as model selection or song choice?

MICHAEL : Well I’m very hands on and I do it all. I have a strong team of models and they always have first right for my shows, because I know how they walk, move, react and also they know what I like backstage etc. As far as song selections, remember I’m from the music industry so I put together ALL my soundtracks in the studio with my engineer and if I need singers etc. artwork or video for the runway etc. all of it.

LUXIA : On the day of your show, do you get nervous? How do you stay calm and collected?

MICHAEL : I never get nervous because I have a great team. I have a set routine that I do every time so I just stay busy because there is too much to do leading up to the show.

LUXIA : What does the future hold for Michael Lombard? Where do you see yourself and your art in the next 5 years?

MICHAEL : Well I’m just going to continue my path how I started. I have great partnerships with HarpersPR, The Cherry Moon Boutique UK and more. I’m expanding into different markets, more stores around the world my collections will be in and start designing for a movie set clothes.