Emmanuel Cortés
Fashiondesigner
(he/they)
“I am a Mexican-American artist and creator, raised in Chicago, living and working in Brussels since 2017. I am a weird kid, love music, and have a love-hate relationship with humans. As an introvert, I like to act like an extrovert more or less once a month.”
What about sculpting and clothing as a medium speaks to you? How did you get your start in it?
“During my studies I focused on form through sculpture techniques in wood, metal, mold making, ceramics and eventually mixed media. Since I was a young child I had an affinity for fashion and wanted to become a fashion designer. I started focusing on textiles in my sculptural work as I got older and became more aware of the environmental challenges we are living. Back in 2013 I started to use only found materials in my sculptures, and stopped using glues and non-reversible processes. So instead of gluing stuff I would sew things or weave things into each other to make forms. This lead me to use more and more fabric and the ways in which we make three-dimensional forms out of something uni dimensional still fascinates me to this day.”
What inspires your work and what is your creative process? What inspired the beginning of 'Extra Medium Tailored'?
“As a child of immigrants, my parents only wanted me to get into a career that led me to "success" and art / fashion was not it. So I didn't get into fashion right away, and I am very grateful for that. I was able to explore clothes-making on my own as a rebellious act in some sort; it was through raves and the raving culture in Chicago that I began making clothing. I started making fat pants for me and my friends, and making crazy outfits for my friends and I very much inspired by clubkids and the underground ravers of the 90s. In many ways, this was the beginning and the main inspiration for what I do today. Drugs, sex and house music is how I like to put it. lol However, in my current practice I do separate my art work from my tailoring and clothes-making. With my clothes practice, I want to be THE tailor for all of queer Brussels =) I know many friends who are not comfortable in their clothes, I'd like to be the tailor that helps them wear what they want, and present how they want to present to this fucked up world. I am not a fashion designer, I am a tailor who knows people's bodies, and aim to work mainly with my chosen family here in Brussels.”
Are there any recurring themes/issues you like to address within your work?
“As far as recurring themes in my art work I have finally come to terms with speaking about injustices I have lived through and understanding that it is powerful to simply share these experiences, so this includes my migration background combined with lgbtqi+ struggles. The ideas of belonging, home, one's place in society and identity play a big role in my work. These also filter into my tailoring through the lens of properly wearing your clothing. EM Tailored stands for Extra Medium, because it fits you extra well, not too small, not too large, just right... and that is Extra Medium.”
Do you have any advice for artists who may want to work more circularly in their practice and reducing waste?
“Reusing materials and working circularly can be tough if you're not used to understanding that there is value in all parts of an object and that we begin by designing a final piece. When we design before having materials, 9 times out of 10 we'll have to go out and buy things to fulfill our design. One piece of advice is to design/create only after you lay out all of your available materials and not the opposite. Another piece of advice would be to dismantle things (if you don't already do so) without ripping them apart, to deconstruct with care and then see all of the materials you may have at your disposal for creating. Exploring other materials is extremely satisfying.”
Are there upcoming events/appearances that you would like to bring attention to?
“I have no upcoming events for the moment. I do however teach private sewing classes and my studio is open for visitors!”
