Label founders Marc Moore, Luke Harwood and Dan Gosling approach fashion with a laid back, cool, tongue-in-cheek attitude that has won their label Stolen Girlfriends Club a loyal international following. Marc kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to participate in our Designer Interview Series

Paper-Doll: How did you get into fashion design?
Marc Moore – Stolen Girlfriends Club: Almost by accident I would say. We had an art show called Stolen Girlfriends Club (a series of paintings). People loved the name and at that same time we had been thinking about making some garments for ourselves – so we started the brand ‘Stolen Girlfriends Club’.

What is the first thing you designed (personally or professionally)?
The very first thing was this wacky tee shirt. It had a super long body, real narrow width, capped sleeves and a low scooped neckline – made in this super fine cotton jersey. We had this bold print on the front ‘Stolen Girlfriends Club Says Relax’ – it was a tribute to the Frankie tee. It was just something we wanted to wear at the time. The media happened to find it, loved it, and shot the shit out if it…thus putting us on the map.

When did you launch Stolen Girlfriends Club?
May 2005 – it’s been 5 years!!!

What inspires you / your work?
Our surroundings, our dramas, our friends, our loves, the music, the films.

Describe your AW’10 Collection.
Welcome to Nowhere – a nomadic biker gang of Sherpa gypsies with their kidnapped trophy girlfriends! Easy really.

What is your favourite piece from your AW’10 Collection?
The Aztec biker jacket – sherpas on crack.

Did you have a personal soundtrack or a favourite album that you listened to while working on AW’10?
We always thrash the Black Keys a lot, The Rakes, Iggy Pop, White Lies, Pixies, Modern Lovers – most of these bands featured in our catwalk show actually.

What area of your work do you enjoy the most?
I think the best part is getting your first (or second) samples back. Seeing your designs take fruition and take material shape.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Production!!! Soooo many factors to coordinate (and so many things that can go wrong).

What is the most surprising thing that has happened to you as a designer?
In NZ we don’t really have ‘celebrities’ but it seems as tho the public have embraced fashion designers as their celebrities…so having people come up to you and wanting to talk to you just because you’re a designer kinda freaks me out sometimes!! Def something you need to adjust to. It’s flattering, and it’s good to know you can connect with complete strangers through your work. I hope that we can affect people in a positive way – entertain them I guess?

If you could collaborate with any designer / artist / musician / etc. on a single project, who would it be and what would you do?
I’d love to collaborate with a musicial to produce our own catwalk soundtrack, and to release it on iTunes. That would be mega cool. Florence + The Machine, Mike Snow, The Strokes, Phoenix…all of the above!

If you could design a wardrobe for any one person (past/present/real/fictional), who would it be?
I’d love to dress Florence (Florence + The Machine). Saw her perform in NZ a few months ago and I was totally mesmerized by her.

How would you describe your own personal style?
It’s def a touch rock & roll mixed with sporty.

What is your favourite item in your personal wardrobe?
My Stolen Girlfriends Club jeans – they all fit sooo perfectly, and are soo tight – never lose their shape.

Where do you shop for clothes when you're not wearing your own?
In NZ I shop at Black Box. In Sydney I Shop at Assin. In New York I Shop at Odin. In London I shop at Liberty London. In Paris I shop at Colette and in Fiji I shop at The Island Bar ($3 Beers!).

What is on your current fashion wishlist?
Love the new Givenchy Men’s stuff – so cool!!! Jil Sander stuff is pretty ah-mazing too.

What fashion trend would you not be caught dead in?
I never did the fluro thing really. Oh, and I never did those shoes with the wheels built into the sole.

What is the one item that every woman should have in her closet?
A beautiful blazer jacket (not a cheap shitty one). Oh, and she should always invest in good shoes (not shitty ones).

What is your favourite thing about the city you live in?
(Auckland) One minute you can have a coffee in a slick inner city café, and half an hour later you can be sunning your buns on an amazing beach with amazing waves.

If you couldn’t be a fashion designer, what other area of interest would you like to explore?
I’d love to be a full time DJ. Me and one of my besties DJ under the name ‘People of Paris’. We play after-parties for bands that tour here, and corporate gigs etc. Such a buzz playing music for people and making them dance.
I’m also interested in advertising ever since I saw that show ‘Mad Men’. But that’s set in the 50’s so not sure how I’d pull that off.

What is next for your label?
Global expansion pleeeeese! We would like to sell more clothes but remain cool and exclusive. I think it’s possible?

Visit: Stolen Girlfriends Club