Printed tracksuit by Christopher Shannon, bag from Christopher Shannon for Eastpak archive, trainers by Adidas. Photography Amy Gwatkin, fashion Vincent Levy

VL: Is there a certain kind of guy you’ll typically see in your clothes? Is there a Christopher Shannon tribe?
CS: Ugh, I loathe the word ‘tribe’. I realised recently I’d never wanted to be in a gang, I think that’s why I never focused on Punk etc with my work. I’m always more interested in the individual, and socially I’m better with less people, one and one and such. I see different things, there’s quite a variation in what we do, sometimes pieces are subtle like the shoes or maybe a project with a bag company, I don’t think they are pieces you all wear at once. ‘Tribe’ feels like it’s bound to be a fad and I’m not really interested in that. The idea of loads of people in full looks all hanging out together makes me feel a bit ill. And I mean in any one label not just mine.

VL: Your casting process this season involved Instagram. How did that idea come about?
CS: I think maybe through desperation, thinking there must be some good lads out there, I was wrong, obviously 99% of people who respond to an Instagram casting are going to be really desperate and too eager, its never going to be the people you want is it? I mean being a model is quite embarrassing isn’t it? All the good ones I’ve worked with are the sorts of people that never would have thought about wanting to be a model and it’s just happened by chance. I get some terrible, terrible applications, and it’s not to do with being attractive or whatever, there’s just a desperation and a vanity to a lot of the people who think they really ‘deserve’ it. Like actors really, most of whom I’ve encountered have been massively annoying.

VL: How do you feel about selfie culture in general?
CS: Totally tedious. How is that interesting? Can’t tell anyone apart. Surely people should be busier finding themselves a job?

VL: #TBT’s?
CS: For throwbacks its always the Beastie Boys, I’ve always doted on Ad Rock too. Sinead O’Connor, so many incredible old images of her. Leslie Winer too, I love her new shots with Juergen Teller for [Vivienne] Westwood, really well done, clear, nice to just see someone’s face and not feel like you are being sold some t-shirts. I saw a great image of Sandra Bernhard the other day, I love the way she broke through, she has such a great face, I love when someone owns their own look. Plus she’s funny as fuck. I don’t really get into the way someone looks unless I like what they do or have to say.

VL: You mentioned the Beastie’s and Ad Rock, what’s the studio soundtrack?
CS: ESG I’m way into. We’ve been working with Neneh Cherry a lot and her new album Blank Project is on a fair bit. I still listen to Leslie Winer when I need to concentrate, something about it can focus me.

VL: Would there ever be a Christopher Shannon girl? An extension of what you did with Lulu and Co?
CS: I’d like there to be. I’ve drawn up a collection a few times and I always really like the way it looks. I’d need for my studio and my team to be bigger to achieve what I want to. I’d like to do a few more projects like Lulu’s one; it’s really nice to put a few ideas together without the pressure of a full collection and show etc.

VL: The new collection felt darker, a little more romantic? Does winter just leave you feeling more wistful?
CS: I think maybe wistful is a gentler term than I would use. I’m not sure about romantic, I definitely am in a lower mood and maybe that comes through in the images I want to look at. I love Christmas though, that said I doubt I’ll be doing any reindeer jumpers anytime soon.

All clothing Christopher Shannon FW14
Model: Jake Love at Select
Hair and make-up: Kota Suizu

Burberry Prorsum Bonded Shearling Coat £4,995

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