Interview With The Creative Director Of Carré

Here at Culture Kings, we are known for providing streetwear enthusiasts with all the latest and greatest from global brands in apparel, footwear, headwear and accessories. Perhaps one of the brands we are best known for is iconic French streetwear giant Carré; a powerhouse of pioneering street style in clothing, bags and more.

Getting its start with an innovative fit of the classic tee, the company has expanded with immense speed that has seen it become one of the most popular offerings Culture Kings has ever provided. We have managed to score an exclusive interview with the Head Designer and Creative Director of Carré, Tomàs, to talk all things modern, high-end streetwear.

It’s midnight in Paris when Tomàs picks up my call; always travelling for work, he is immediately enthused at the prospect of sharing the inner details of his brand. Listening to him speak, you are struck by his dedication to the brand and streetwear itself.

1. How did you first come up with the concept of "Carré"?

‘Carré’ translates to ‘square’ in English, which we selected as it represented thinking outside the box which we do here at Carré. We are always testing the boundaries with our collections; we want to break the current rules of streetwear with our choices of colours, patterns and fabrics. The world of fashion is ever-changing and we are always trying to adapt ourselves.

2. Where do you find your design inspiration?

This may be cliché to say, but I find my inspiration everywhere;  from people on the street to even the simplest things like shop signs. The history of the world is so rich and full of ideas. The world is a visual place and you can find inspiration from your surroundings if you keep your eyes open.

3. What is it about France that inspires your designs?

We French have a reputation for being romantic, passionate and full of fire. That is what inspires my designs. I am always trying to put as much of my own passion for the brand into what I create. When you buy Carré, you aren’t just purchasing a product - you’re buying the feeling of wearing Carré. I want to create a passionate experience for the customer and bring them to the world of Parisian streetwear, even if they live far away, like in Australia.

4. What software and technology do you use for your designs?

I use a Mac for all my designs and a Wacom tablet to draw on. I also use Adobe Suite, for example, Illustrator and Photoshop, to create my products.

5. From start to sale, how long does it take for a design to happen?
   

The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors. For simple designs or those that are time-sensitive, we can push something out in a matter of days or a week. For other designs, such as extensive capsules or collections that feature intricate artwork, more time on creation or construction, these can take up to 3 or 4 months to be ready to sell.

6. What made you decide on Culture Kings as your only retailer besides your own site?

I’ve always liked Culture Kings aesthetic and what they do. After they reached out to me to work together, we’ve never looked back. They understand our style and we understand theirs; we’re constantly pushing for better product and shopping experiences for all our customers.