Jerome Lorico x F&H: A collab with street cred

Jerome Lorico recently came home from Hong Kong flush with purchases from a successful raid of the Versace-H&M collab. “Super sold out,” he tells me, while wearing one of the vivid epilepsy-inducing printed shirts from the collection.

Lorico has another collaboration to be excited about as his collection for Folded and Hung debuted this month. The young designer teamed up with the local label for a limited-edition men’s line, consisting of shirts, blazers and pants. Lorico had a hand in everything, including the printed fabric made locally.

YStyle sat down with the literature/language major to talk design and retail.

YSTYLE: What recent designer collaborations were you a fan of?

JEROME LORICO: I love the H&M collaboration with Versace. I think it was high fashion made affordable. The pieces were significantly true to the aesthetic of the Versace house.

In your opinion what were the most successful designer collabs? What’s the secret to their success?

Internationally, I think the H&M collaborations with top fashion houses were pretty successful. In this age of recession where people would rather buy fast fashion items from giant RTW labels like H&M, fashion and beauty is proven to be achievable without actually spending a big amount of money.

What do you think you’ll get out of this partnership with F&H?

I learned a lot about how an RTW label works. I had a different view about the wearability and the marketability of clothes. This I think is very important because fashion at the end of the day should translate to sales.

What was the process like?

Folded and Hung gave me free rein over my designs and the collection that I want to introduce into their market bracket. It is fulfilling for a young designer like me.

What’s the concept? 

The concept was all about the British dandy slash punk culture.

What are the pieces in the collection? Give us details!

There are at least 20 different styles in the collection, including pants, blazers, shirts, and even knitted items and accessories. The style ranges from tailored pieces to easy casual blazers and pants using cotton, parka material and light canvas. It’s looking good without being too serious.

Who were you thinking of while designing? 

I was thinking of a guy who knows how to look good at night and be casual and cool during the day. Someone really fun and excited to hit the streets and explore.

What were the influences/elements that came to play in the design?

I was inspired by British bands like The Smiths, and also the growing trend of dandyism in every fashionable city in the world.

What do you hope people who’ve never heard of you before this will take away from the collection? 

I want guys to think that there is no excuse not to look and feel good because there are a lot of local brands that are producing nice and exciting clothes already. They just need to be aware and be receptive.

Has partnering with retail made you love or hate retail?

It made me appreciate retail because there is a different kind of discipline when it comes to design. You always have to come up with clothes that will be fashionable and yet envisioned to sell.

Are the pieces “signature” Jerome looks?

Yes! They are directional and really talk about a certain story. I want to think that this is actually about a guy who’s aware of his poetic and sensitive part. He’s tough and yet ironically asks for guidance from the universe. He is romantic, I believe.

What is a “signature” Jerome look anyway? How would you define your aesthetic? 

My designs should always be about a deeper concept, a story, or an interesting character. I want to talk, tell stories, and introduce an idea. My clothes always do that for me.

What do you think drew F&H to you? 

The brand and I are passionate to dress up people. There are times when I just want to take all the people on the street and dress them all up in my designs.

What elements of your aesthetic are analogous to F&H’s brand DNA? 

My style has always been strongly about streetwear. Clothes that you’d wear outside on the streets. F&H shares the same aesthetic. 

What do you want to happen next in your career? 

I really don’t know to be honest. People would judge me for that answer but I’m just enjoying what I currently do. Who cares about the vision of tomorrow when the future can actually be written at present.

What are you most afraid of now, in this moment? 

To be uninspired. Inspiration fuels me to love and keep designing.

What are you most excited about now?

I am excited to learn more, design more, and to inspire more.

How old are you? 

I’m 26.