Stephen Williams

ed: What did you do last Sunday?

sw: I normally go into the studio on Sunday to prepare for the week ahead and if I am away a lot the following week, then I meet with Julia, my Associate partner, to discuss the current or future projects. Specifically last Sunday I cooked a traditional English breakfast with Silvie, my girlfriend. She would prefer continental, but being British you have to be loyal to your culture. I went to the studio as normal and late afternoon received a call from one of my best friends, PJ Mahrenholz, to ask us out for dinner with girlfriend Christine in a local restaurant “Brücke” in the Isestrasse. With people constantly unable to make dinner dates because everyone is so busy, the evening was valuable because of its uncomplicated organization and the level of inspiring conversation.

ed: How important is fashion to you and what’s your favorite piece of clothing?

sw: Anyone who works in design is interested in fashion. To be fashionable for me is to go against mainstream trends, which is time consuming and stressful. I tend to go to shops where I know the clothes suit me because it saves so much time. You trust in their designers, as the curators of new trends, and are open enough to accept and wear their clothes. My favorite piece of clothing is always the last purchase, which I normally don’t get around to wearing for a few months and in this case, a pair of baseball boots from Hermes (without logo.) They look just like Converse All Star!

ed: What book or film would you recommend and why?

sw: I really like “Love Story” with Ryan O Neil and Ali McGraw. The ability of film to bring out such powerful emotions is a wonderful thing. The winter scene in the empty stadium where they are playing in the snow covered pitch is my favorite.

ed: You have the chance to initiate a cultural revolution. What will you do?

sw: I believe we are in the middle of a cultural revolution that all of us can influence it. I would urge people to search for individuality and fight cliché so there would be thousands of independent movements simultaneously. This is currently the case with internet networking sites and blogs. It is something so powerful. Many people still underestimate it.

ed: What is your favorite travel destination and what hotel/resort should everyone visit at least once in their lifetime?

sw: I am still surprised to meet people who have never been to New York. Everyone should experience the street life and the openness of the culture. I believe one of the most fascinating cities in Europe is Venice because there are no cars and to navigate through the city by foot or in a boat is an unforgettable experience. I suggest taking a water taxi from the Rialto Bridge to the small landing stage of the exclusive Danelli Hotel; the concierge will help you from the boat, a truly luxury experience, and then sit in the 500 year old lobby and order a Bellini.

ed: What was in your opinion the biggest ever faux pas in architecture/design/art/fashion?

sw: There are no faux pas - it was all meant to be! But seriously, the misunderstanding of the modern movement by many architects who took inspiration from the masters such as Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. It was an impossible task to replicate on moderate budget and not relevant for many climates and social structures. This caused, and still causing, misery and incalculable damage to millions of people who have to live with these buildings.

ed: Who has influenced you the most?

sw: Without doubt, my friendship and working relationship with Malcolm McLaren. He is a great artist and cultural commentator and has an incredible knowledge of the art, fashion and music scene. He displayed to me that this all round knowledge is essential if you are to work in any of the artistic fields. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to spend time exchanging ideas with him.

ed: How would you define “cultural identity”?

sw: Cultural identity, if one speaks about individuals, can be found in everyone because it is the product of millions of interactions throughout your life, which are all special to you. You are the product of all these and everyone is their own culture and not stereotyped with generalisims.

ed: When is an idea a “good” idea?

sw: A good idea is when you believe in it even if no one else does and to realize it. Bad ideas are ones which disturb people emotionally and/or financially. Apart from that everything else goes.

ed: And last but not least: you are entitled to a single question. What would you ask?

sw: Why are people scared of being individual and define themselves through clichés based on consumer articles instead?