With garments that are varied and cross many demographics, the one thing all Rochambeau clients have in common is "a sense of good taste." Rochambeau is headed up by Michael Venker, Laurence Chandler, and Joshua Cooper; a group of friends who came together to design a collection that would sustain longevity and relevance in the fashion domain. Spring/Summer 2010 marks the fourth collection of garments that identify with deconstruction, juxtaposition, and function. Drawing inspiration from the Hmong Tribe of Northern Asia in their latest collection, I chatted with the Rochambeau boys to find out exactly how they achieve that DIY vibe.
1. You launched Rochambeau in 2007 after bonding over your shared vision for the way you see men's fashion. Who makes up the Rochambeau team?
The Rochambeau team is head designer and creative director Michael Venker, and founders Laurence Chandler and Joshua Cooper.
2. Can you set the record straight and let me know the meaning behind Rochambeau? Why did you decide to name your company Rochambeau?
Rochambeau is another name for the game Rock-Paper-Scissors. Life is all about the risks you take and we felt the name portrayed that. When the three of us met for the first time a few years back, we were brought together by our shared passions to create, connect, and innovate.
3. Spring 2010 marks your fourth collection. What inspired this collection?
The concept behind this collection is based from the Hmong tribe of Northern Asia and their style of dress. They use found articles of clothing along side their own custom pieces. We reference this style in the deconstruction of the garments, creating a tattered look, mirroring the looks found in this particular culture. We utilized draped jersey matched with structured outerwear pieces to create a sophisticated, modern look.
4. You play heavily with the notion of juxtaposition and deconstruction, as these elements have come to help signify your collections. With a DIY feel, what goes into creating your handmade creations?
This season we had the opportunity to work with two amazingly talented artists with unique backgrounds. Peter Matteliano, a Brooklyn-based artist who works with a variety of fabrics and tools to deconstruct textiles; this process gives every piece a distinct look and feel. We also worked with designer Daniel Roedler, who works with found objects and deconstructs them for installation art pieces. They both give the collection a new dimension of quality, reminiscent of the craft movement and that helps give it a worn tribal feel.
5. What are your plans for the future? What is in store for the future of Rochambeau?
We are our own consumers; we create pieces that we want to wear, work with publications that we read and we want our label at places we want to shop. We are expanding our relationships with Oak (NY), Oki-ni (London), and many other amazing accounts.
For the new year, we are prepping to launch the Rochambeau online shop where limited selections of the jerseys will be available. Since the launch, we have had consumers from Berlin to Tokyo inquiring as to where they can find the clothing and next year we hope to expand to their markets.
6. How would you define the Rochambeau customer?
The consumer of Rochambeau is someone who enjoys being comfortable while remaining stylish, honing in on the details, structure, and drape of the clothing. The focus is on the quality, construction and design. The clothing has been able to reach such a diverse crowd; the one thing they all have in common, we suspect, is good taste!
7. What was the creative process like surrounding Spring 2010?
Each season we start with a blank canvas and then begin to pool inspiration from all over the world. We submerge ourselves in researching different ethnic backgrounds, architecture, modern art, textures, and textiles. We study what surrounds us, what captivates us, and turn our ideas into a piece of the Rochambeau collection.
8. Where can Rochambeau currently be purchased (both retail locations and online stores)?
OAK in New York, Oki-ni in Tokyo, and Elsworth in Minnesota.
9. What was your original vision/mission when starting Rochambeau? How much has it changed since your initial plan?
We came together to design pieces that will have longevity and relevance in fashion, while remaining functional and contemporary. There have been incredible changes in men's fashion over the last decade and we wanted to combine our talents and resources to create a label that we would want as consumers. This is very much our passion and I think the clothing shows this.
