080 Barcelona Fashion Spotlight: Anaïs Vauxcelles and the Artistic Approach of 404 Studio

In this special RED-EYE coverage of 080 Barcelona Fashion, we bring you exclusive interviews with distinguished designers, while our photographer, Rosario Rex Di Salvo, ventures backstage to capture the essence of models and looks. Additionally, we've employed AI co-creation to produce a series of images that offer an oniric interpretation of the event, creating a unique visual experience. Enjoy!

Welcome to our interview with Anaïs Vauxcelles, the visionary designer and founder of 404 Studio, that we met at 080 Barcelona Fashion. A graduate in Fine Arts from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and holding a master’s degree in Communication and Art Direction from Elisava (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Anaïs brings a unique perspective to the fashion world, one deeply infused with artistic integrity and innovative vision.

404 Studio, under Anaïs's creative direction, does not follow fleeting fashion trends. Instead, it serves as a platform for expressing her personal tastes and the emotions that stir during the creative process, often drawing significant inspiration from cult films that resonate with her thematic vision.

The brand is distinguished not only by its aesthetic but also by its foundational philosophy. Coming from a background in fine arts rather than traditional fashion design, Anaïs embraces an approach that prioritizes uniqueness and artistic expression over conventional wearability. This is vividly reflected in their latest 404 Studio Fall 24 collection, inspired by the anime "Ghost in the Shell," which contemplates themes of sustainability and the futuristic intertwining of humans and technology.

Located at the confluence of tradition and modern innovation, 404 Studio transcends the typical fashion label to become a creation lab. Based in Spain, Anaïs and her team collaborate with local artisans to craft high-quality garments that challenge the status quo while maintaining a tangible link to cultural heritage.

404 Studio has not only showcased its innovative designs in major fashion capitals like MBFW Madrid, Los Angeles Fashion Week, MBFW Russia, and London Fashion Week but has also been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Prize for the "La Planète est Sauvage" collection. The brand has garnered attention from global icons like Dua Lipa and Kylie Minogue, marking its presence in the international fashion scene.

Join us as we dive deeper into the ethos and inspirations behind 404 Studio with Anaïs Vauxcelles, exploring how this unique brand weaves garments with comprehensive narratives that invite us to reconsider our relationship with technology, art, and the essence of human connectivity.

Tell us about yourself and what inspired 404 Studio and how you think it will influence the future of fashion and innovation?

404 studio is inspired by art, cult films and people around me. I see the future as a merge of technology and craftsmanship, and that's what leads me. Fashion is a form of art, self-expression and it's the mirror of society at that time.

Can you explain the innovative idea behind your latest collection and how it combines fashion and technology to set new trends?

I'm always inspired by cult films, it's what drives me. I don't believe in trends, I want to represent my taste and what I'm feeling at the moment I create a collection. I don't have a fashion college background and I think that's what makes 404 studio more different. I've studied fine arts and I'm always seeking for uniqueness and not thinking so much about wearability, the combination of art and fashion comes naturally. This collection is inspired by the anime Ghost in the Shell, referencingthe speech about the sustainability war - the lack of raw materials- and how we're slowly becoming cyborgs. Technology is going to shape the next generations and I think craftsmanship its what is going to make us feel more human and connected to our planet earth.

Where do you find your groundbreaking ideas, and how do they help you mix traditional fashion with futuristic innovation?

I don't know if they're groundbreaking but as Pablo Picasso said - "inspiration finds you working" I do really love knitwear, new shapes and techniques. I feel there's a lot of work to do in this field. We can investigate and apply fabric tech into knit.

Describe your brand in three words that capture its essence.

Unique, bold and conceptual.

What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers who want to bring innovation to the industry? How can they blend fashion and technology effectively to create wearable designs for the future?

You can be innovative from your small studio or at your place, you don't need much. You can be innovative with a single piece of fabric. Knowledge is power, creativity is power. Don't doubt yourself and go ahead with your crazy idea, sometimes it works, and even if it doesn't work, you're going to learn a lot in the process.

404 Studio specializes in innovative knitwear. What is the creative process behind developing your unique knitwear pieces, and how do you balance tradition with innovation?

I truly believe tradition as the key element in my design. I always start with a traditional stitch or traditional technique but I see through them in a contemporary way, talking from a today's perspective and from a personal level.

Photos and AI Artworks by Rosario Rex Di Salvo

Editor in Chief Gloria Maria Cappelletti

Fashion Director Giorgia Imbrenda

Features Editor Eleonora Pirisi

Special Thanks to 080 Barcelona Fashion and MM Studio

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