Asher Levine On His "Mutant Motorcycle Stud" Fall Collection

At only 22, designer Asher Levine has already garnered a loyal following among nightlife notables and stylists for his highly abstract le-freak-c'est-chic designs, including two leather jackets worn by the reigning queen of avant fashion, Lady Gaga. The designer premiered his second collection at an unmarked Chinatown loft last night, where he merged Black Box theater and Black Swan with a ittle help from skater and celebrated fashion figure Johnny Weir (who modeled in the show) to produce a line that continues to show his interest in structured, minimal and masculine shapes. I chatted with the designer about his creation process and how even for him, sometimes less is more.

What was your inspiration behind this season's collection?

I just like to make clothes, and I like looking at weird stuff. I do not say I'm going to make another collection, let me find my inspiration. I'm constantly looking at weird things and interesting things.

So would you say you design with specific looks more than a collection in mind?

I do sit down and say "this is what I want," but I'm always appalled at how it comes together and I'm so thankful to be working with amazing stylists this season. We're working with Andrew Mukamal, and this season is really like mutant motorcycle stud. We have leather
jackets, the oversized leather jackets, cropped leather jackets, but we add different twists to all of them, like stylistic spines.

You also have a big presence in nightlife. What is it about the club scene here that fascinates you?

We're craaaazy! It's New York, I mean that's why I'm here!

How do you consider function when you're creating such abstract designs?

Well this season we are doing the crazy pieces but we're also paying particular attention to beautiful pieces with an amazing fit, pieces that are minimal and you can wear down the street and not feel like you have to get looked at. We have beautiful suede leather tops, nice cashmere tops. We import all of our cashmere from England, and it feels so beautiful. Some of the pieces of course are geared towards the night, but we're really paying attention also to beautifully fitted pieces to make the male body really sexy. It took like twenty fittings to get it perfect, but it's really simple. There aren't any like spikes coming off of it, but I think it's still really important to have a nice wardrobe like this.

Do you have any personal style icons?

I love you Lady Gaga.