NAME: Josep Font
AGE: 45
ORIGIN: Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain
CURRICULUM VITAE: Font studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia “to please my parents”, but fashion has always been his vocation. While continuing his studies, he managed to take courses in fashion and model making at FD Moda in Barcelona.
BACKGROUND: Font launched a namesake ready-to-wear line in 1991, during fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid and Tokyo. From 2008, he presented a couture collection for four seasons during the Parisian haute couture week.
NEW HORIZONS: Like Carven designer Guillaume Henry, Font was asked to give new life (and ready-to-wear) to a historic house. After being courted by Delpozo, a relaunch of the 39-year-old Spanish brand formerly known as Jesús del Pozo, he joined last year as Creative Director. Under its namesake founder, the house focused on ultra feminine evening wear and wedding dresses, but was perhaps best known for its fragrances.
LOOK FOR: optical illusion patterns; exaggerated, scalloped three-dimensional folds; and unusual color combinations: salmon with plum, hot pink with red.
STATE OF SPIRIT OF THE EMPIRE: For fall 2013, his second season with Delpozo, Font presented the collection at New York Fashion Week, as part of an international visibility campaign from his new employer. (“New York is a window to the world,” says the creator.) Independent trio Au Revoir Simone performed at the brand’s show, held at Canoe Studios in west Chelsea, overlooking the Hudson River.
VICTORIA STATION: “This collection grew out of two seemingly opposing and unrelated ideas,” says Font, “the organic forms of contemporary architecture and the delicate femininity of the Victorian era.” Architectural inspiration can be seen in the oversized, dazzling skirts of her wool day dresses, while a turn-of-the-century influence can be seen in the delicate embroidered touches on the loose tulle and organza dresses.
FLORAL FIXATION: Flowers, that ultimate feminine signifier, are everywhere in the fall collection: multi-colored flowers meander across high-heeled ankle boots and handbags, while butterfly and flower appliqués adorn the outfits of evening.
FOREVER YOUNG: Font describes his client as an ageless beauty: “Women, like art, have no age.” However, the young, red carpet-ready silhouettes would suit Emma Stone perfectly.
PRICE: Knit tops, $500; embroidered silk dresses, up to $11,000
STOCKISTS: The brand’s flagship store in Madrid, which opened in March (the company plans to open stores in Moscow, Dubai, Shanghai and New York); 25 Park in New York; Net to wear; Moda Operandi.
