Q: WHO IS ANTONIO MICHEL?

 

A: Bruce Wayne, actually.

 

WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY BASED?

 

Atlanta, GA

 

WHAT IS COLOR?

 

A visual construct that illustrates the physical world we know. It's a tool we continue to use and observe to define space, emotion, and representation.

 

AND HOW DO YOU USE IT?

 

The lack of color in my work is evident, and the reasoning is simple, I enjoy what a minimal palette can do for the human form and physical space. Most of my work is rooted in the color black, as well as what I like to call 'primitive earth tones'. The strategic use of these colors together create an organic feel that can bring human nature together with the idea of existence, in a simple yet sophisticated way. At this point in my career I'm becoming more in tune with traditionalist views in terms of creation in general, and in many ways I've set forth to create as an artist from an engineering perspective; minimizing form and increasing effectiveness in regards to visual pleasure. My palette reinforces the significance of form and forces the viewer to appreciate detail in areas where it may not be evident at first sight.

 

WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR WORK?

 

There's something about the night that does it for me. It's odd that a time of day exists as influence, but I've reached a point where most forms of visual consumption have just become a redundant rabbit hole of other peoples ideas. Night life in its many forms energizes me and gives me a sense of being. Driving past a vibrant skyline, brewing energy under strobes in a club, the gas station that illuminates the intersection of an inner city block, it's a drug. I think the idea of existing and socializing under man made lighting adjacent to darkness is crucial to how I operate creatively, the right sound as well in most cases. There's a sense of thrill and danger about it, and I find myself designing under that influence to create something inviting into that space.

 

HOW DO YOU APPROACH DESIGN?

 

I'm big on letting ideas form organically whether they come to me or I have an intentional motion towards something. Whether it be shoes or architecture, there's a subconscious cohesiveness involving my ideas that naturally occurs for me when bringing pencil to paper. I have a good grasp of when something truly compels me and when it just doesn't, and I run with that. Typically the contour of any given piece is the foundation for my design, from there, I let my mind work and rework to execute that *thing that I'm searching for. It's important for me to disregard impossibilities initially because most design can be achieved one way or another with small revisions and collaboration to problem solve, I'd lend that piece of advice out to anyone seeking to create physical pieces or products.

 

WHY FASHION?

 

I love clothes. I love shoes. I love accessorizing. Fashion is by far the most liberating experience for humans. Every day we choose how we will present ourselves in any given situation, there's much to be said about that. I knew this very early on in my life and started customizing garments at a young age. My obsession has been consistent throughout my life and along my journey the consumption of media and self exploration have guided me through fashion design. Inevitably I've found my niche and continue to explore my ever changing ideas. There aren't many comparable feelings to that of seeing reactions and appreciation for my work at hand.

 

WHAT'S NEXT?

 

I have big ideas, not just in fashion, but across all mediums. You name it, I probably want to design it. I believe in completely customizing space to achieve ideas to their utmost ability in order to convey a feeling, or more importantly, a moment in time. Life is a series of fleeting moments and emotions, there's something very satisfying about the journey of the design process and how intricate it is, with the thought that the execution of such could last as a single feeling from a viewer, and nothing more. The ability to have the smallest yet enduring impact on a consumer is ironically fulfilling in that I will never be able to experience the same perspective that they have from what I've created.

 

WHAT WORDS DO YOU LIVE BY?

 

Somebody's gotta do it.



 

 

 

CONNECT WITH ANTONIO: 

 

INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE