Even Though He’s Everywhere, We Still Say Woohoo to Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh has popped up everywhere — notably on the backs of Beyonce (twice! in one night!) and Cate Blanchett. But his ubiquity has yet to make us tire of him. Profiled in the New York Times Magazine yesterday, Pugh discusses his excursions to London as a young upstart from Sunderland, as well as his collaboration with Michele Lamy (partner of Rick Owens) on their company Hard and Shiny. Everyday wearability has never been Pugh's game, but innovation has. We admire that his haute vision, and the fact that the pieces he creates just could not be mass-marketed even if H&M came a-knockin'. His use of unusual materials are crafted to intimidating volumes with geometrical silhouettes. The results are visually enthralling, and make for some fine fashion photography. He's a loooong way from making cardigans out of garbage bags.