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We asked Jeremy Scott for career advice and his answers are gold

All aboard the Jeremy train.

Starting today, ACMI will be screening the documentary Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer. The film follows the journey of FJ fav, Jeremy Scott, the first American designer at the helm of a major Italian brand.

But that’s not the only thing that has got us reeling with excitement.

In the lead up to the Australian launch of the film, we were lucky enough to get to speak to Jeremy himself. Or at least, email over some questions.

In what is perhaps our favourite interview ever, Jeremy responded to our questions hilariously: in true Jeremy form.

Tell us about the filming of your documentary.
Honestly for me it was easy. I just did what I normally do and they were filming the journey.

If a biopic was made about your life, who would you like to play you?
Zac Efron. I mean we already look so similar it’s a no brainer! 

What is a typical day like for you?
Emails, emails, emails.

Tell us about your accessories for mothers, such as your pram designs. Can we expect you to branch out further into lifestyle items?
I love bringing fashion into industrial design, as I redesigned the smart car a couple of years back. And even working on tennis shoes with Adidas often falls in that realm. It’s something I enjoy doing.

How do you differentiate which of your ideas are for Moschino as opposed to your personal lines?
It’s like my brain has different tracks, like a train does. And the Moschino train uses Moschino tracks and the Jeremy/Adidas train uses the Adidas Tracks etc. Even if they all stop at the Jeremy station.

How do you deal with criticism?
Depends on whose it is. I don’t really worry much about the opinions of people who I don’t relate to or respect. If my fanbase was unable to relate to me, that’s maybe something that would concern me. But today with the internet, everybody has an opinion about everything. And often they are uneducated and crass so it’s not really valid.

Do you ever feel like your creativity has been restrained by working for a larger company? 
Absolutely not! Quite the contrary. I feel like I have been able to bring my ideas to a bigger, more creative level by working with big companies. From Adidas to Moschino, it’s been nothing but a wonderful experience for me. 

Do you approach your personal style differently to your designs for others?
Well I have always been creative with the way I dress personally and had a very organic way of coming up with what I wear. I just follow what I’m interested in and what’s exciting for me.

What’s your favourite social media platform?
Oh, maybe Instagram now, as that seems to be what I use most nowadays. But I’m sure there is a new one around the corner that will capture everyone’s imagination soon enough. 

You said that from a young age you’ve always been certain you would end up in fashion. Have you achieved what you set out to do? 
I would say that I have achieved way more that I ever dreamt of when I was a kid, but as fas as my adult-self would answer, there is still so much I want to do.

What’s your proudest moment?
Putting my hand prints and signature into cement at the [Grauman’s] Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, for the premier of my documentary.

Do you have any regrets?
One should never live with regrets. 

You’re no stranger to causing a stir. What’s been the biggest controversy of your career?
Maybe the question should be, what hasn’t been the biggest controversy of my career?!

You’ve dressed and collaborated with a bunch of celebrities. Who is your favourite to dress and why?
Madonna will always be special to me, as I grew up with her. So I will always have a different relationship with her, for that reason alone.

Do you have an ultimate career goal?
To leave behind a legacy of designs that generations to come will be excited and inspired by.

What is your biggest critique of the fashion industry?
I think the industry itself should be more supportive of itself. If fashion does good, it’s good for everyone.

Where do you see the industry in 10 years? Where will you fit into it?
The industry is so different than when I started, nearly 19 years ago. And today our world is even so different that it’s impossible to imagine where it will be in 10 years, as things have changed rapidly over the past decade and a half with the internet. But like fashion, I will always change and find where I fit in.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Never use your own money” – Tom Ford.

What’s your number one tip for aspiring fashion designers?
See above! 

You can catch Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer at ACMI on March 3, 5, 7 and 12.

acmi.net.au/film

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