Gareth Pugh is a London based designer who emerged out of the club scene to become one of the most celebrated talents of his generation. Pugh currently shows during Paris Fashion Week, his celebrity fans include Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga and he describes his work as a constant struggle between light and and dark. Carson McColl is Gareth’s partner and burgeoning songwriter who once performed an art piece called ‘Black Saint’ for Nick Knight and ShowStudio where he gave himself a colonic irrigation with a litre of black paint.
Gareth Pugh, 31, Designer
What are you wearing here?
All my own.
When was your first appearance in i-D?
Ben Reardon asked me way back when to do a double page shoot. I dressed up all my friends in my clothes and did a fashion version of Wacky Races in our squat in Peckham. It was very impromptu but actually turned out quite well.
What is your favourite i-D cover?
Pollution – Judy Blame/Jean Baptiste Mondino.
What was your best birthday ever?
It was my 21st – when I lived at home in Sunderland my Nana always had a Saturday tea round hers, it was the weekly family get together. Anyway, my 21st – fell on a Saturday, so we did the ultimate Saturday tea. It was amazing. I’m very easily pleased.
Who would you like to see on the cover of i-D and why?
Tracey Emin – because she’s amazing. End of!
What was the best thing about the noughties?
Meeting Carson, that was a good day.
What are your hopes for the future?
I never think that far ahead. It’s a bit like Alcoholics Anonymous: take every day as it comes.
Carson McColl, 27, Singer/Songwriter.
What are you wearing here?
My birthday suit. And docs. Obviously.
What is your favourite i-D cover?
PJ Harvey. ‘I quite enjoy looking like a tart and thinking like a politician’. Done.
What was your best birthday ever?
My 22nd. Gareth had just moved into a new place and had no furniture yet, so we just sat on a pile of clothes eating birthday cake and watching Family Guy. It was proper shanty love.
Who would you like to see on the cover of i-D?
Tom Waits would be righteous.
What was the best thing about the noughties?
Personally, moving to East London.
What are your hopes for the future?
That we can focus our anarchy.
Credits
Photography Nick Knight