Krishna, what is your main activity, are you a photographer?
No, I used to make a living from photography and film, a long time ago, then i was an artist
and now i am a designer.
What kind of art have you been doing? What do you design now?
Photography was my main one, also sculpture, film, painting and performance. Anything I needed to express an idea. Now I design women’s clothes.
Where do you live? How does it look like?
I live in Bali which is an island near the equator. I have an atelier here with 7 staff , it is large and airy with a garden full of trees, there are houses all around, I have 2 dogs, some bats, rats, butterflies dragonflies and even a bird flew in the other day and rested on my computer screen. There is much civilization around me, but nature is powerful here. Rainy season destroys houses and floods everything and the gardens grow fast and furious and it is so very hot and humid, so in some ways it will aways be the jungle. Nature always prevails.
Where were you born? What’s your origin?
I was born in Perth, Western Australia (the most isolated capital city in the world) on the 10th of October 1964. The same home town as Gemma Ward, Heath Ledger and Tim Minchin. I am 5th generation Australian, i think. Australians in general don’t really know much of there family genealogy… Irish, Dutch? And also, maybe French in me, but a long time ago.
Is Krishna Godhead your real name? What does it mean?
Yes it is my real name. The names together mean “the divine nature of everything”. Krishna = Black = Everything and Godhead = The divine nature of. I was born with another name but I renamed myself three years ago and legally changed it this year.
Tell me about your upcoming event in Paris.
It is going to be a fashion show, with models and music and lights and a runway on the 8th of July 2014.
Which films did you make?
The first was a film I made for friends of mine as a campaign for their perfume, Wode by Boudicca, made in 1995, the second was a film for musician friends of mine that was lost by their manager and never saw the light of day, the third was a film for 6 Scents perfume series 2 I think (the one with Damir Doma), and the last was a short film with the actress Abbie Cornish, that is yet to be released.
You told me about your photographs that it was a collaboration was with 3 people: Katharine Grace, John Ibrahim and Krishna Godhead. What does John do?
John is a creative director and is someone that Katharine met in Paris, though mutual friends, that ended up shooting all the images and then sending them to me, in Bali for colouring in.
Who is Katharine?
Katharine is my business partner. She is the muse of the label, the business brains and the beauty.
You said John is a creative director. For which company?
Grey Aviary Media, that is his film company but he is a freelance creative director for many things. But I have not even met him, we have only met on Facebook and Skype and through the images.
Are you planning on doing more projects together in the future?
Not at the moment, my soul focus is on the clothes and the presentation in Paris.
In which countries have you been living and working throughout your life?
I have lived in Tokyo twice, once when I was 12 and studying the violin for six months. I returned again when I was 20 and lived there for a year, then went to London for two years, then Milan for a year, and then back to London. After that I returned to perth in 2003 and lived there until I moved to Bali 2 years ago. I have travelled all over for work but only lived in those places.
Which part of world do you like the best?
I don’t actually see it in parts but as a whole, I love where I live now. It has been recognized as the happiest place in the world to live two weeks ago in The Daily Mail and I would have to agree but I live in this world and this world is round with no edges and no borders.
Do you think Bali with its climate and entourage have affected your collection that you are going to show in July?
Not at all, we are showing Autumn/Winter couture and we are making clothes that are appropriate for our clients, none of whom live in Bali. It is hot here all the time, but our atelier is cool and I understand the nature of climate and dressing for it. I lived in London for 17 years, remember. There are maybe influences in other ways and not even cultural but sometimes in materials but not always, we import fabrics from all over the world i.e. Italy, France, India. So in many ways it has nor bearing on the clothes, but it is where i choose to create from and that must have some impact, mainly on my happiness.
Which materials do you work with?
Linens, silks, cottons, wools, leather, fur, feathers – whatever is needed for the design.
What kind of leather do you work with?
Cow, sheep, crocodile, python, fish, mink, armadillo, ostrich, dog, goat, fox, mustang, luwak, lizard leather and fur.
What kind of music are you going to use in your show?
At this stage there is already 13 tracks, all but one is confirmed as I have used them to design with and be inspired by. They are all varied in style and creation. There is no theme to either the clothes or the music.
Are you making shoes and accessories as well?
We are woking with someone on the shoes but of our design, shoes technology is something we don’t have in-house in the atelier. We have collaborated with two others for head pieces and hats. Apart from that, there are no other accessories. I find them redundant and all of our clients have very nice accessories of their own. I don’t like costume jewellery.
Will our readers be able to get to your show or is it invitation only?
Invitation only. It is very costly for us to produce so seating is at a minimum. 100 guests only. We have to bring everything from Bali, it is a long way.
What is the name of your label?
To be revealed, with the invitations, when we send them out at the end of this month.
Photography: Katharine Grace, John Ibrahim and Krishna Godhead
