Since launching in Fall 2009, Caulfield Preparatory designer Vincent Flumiani had a vision to incorporate his love of design with his passion for literature. His concept is as simple as it is intuitive - CP is loosely based on J.D Salinger’s famed “Catcher in the Rye” and each chapter from the story that Vincent writes himself is reflected in the collection. Flumiani took on the task of writing his own story about Finnegan Nash - chapter by chapter. For example, in Chapter One, after the death of his grandfather, the protagonist Finnegan Nash (F.N.) Sinclair leaves his strict, conservative upbringing and embarks on a road trip to find himself from Los Angeles to New York.  The collection is a direct reflection of Finnegan’s west to east travels – starting from the first delivery of wrinkled woven shirts, relaxed henleys, and worn clothing from living out of a car. By winter, darker, city-symbolic tones like black, white, grey and purple are first introduced when Finn finally arrives in New York in the third delivery.  Each piece in the collection has a particular significance that directly relates back to Finn’s personal journey.

My ONE ON ONE with Vincent below…

You launched in Fall 2009 as a contemporary menswear brand. Your line gears to blend the notion of fashion with literature. Generally, how have you seen this hybrid done effectively in the past?

The most effective way I have seen this done and my inspiration for the concept for Caulfield Preparatory came from theater and cinema performance.  The idea of making each piece in the collection signify and communicate as one would in the medium of say a Broadway / Off-Broadway performance or film is brilliant.  For example . . . if you attended the musical Cats with a pair of noise cancelling headphones or watched Gone with the Wind on mute the story through the costumes would still be told.  That is great design and attention to detail.  Making everything count and stand for something.

How did you get into the world of design? Were you formally trained?

I got into the world of design really by doing and listening to my soul.  It was during a point in my life where I was researching my self . . . attempting to understand who and what I was created to be without all the distractions and voices of the world . . . and what I discovered was an artist and that this was o.k . . .. It was good.  >From there I figured out that I didn’t need to apologize for this or be embarrassed  . . . and so I was set free and have been flying ever since.

Inspired by J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” - it’s interesting to note that each collection you design is based on a chapter of a book written by CP’s designer Vincent Flumiani. How did you originally come up with this idea?

This idea, without a doubt comes from my love of words and lust for reading . . . the power and authority of a great story is magical.

What is it about J.D Salinger’s literary novel, as well as the quirks and traits of Holden Caulfield, that you identify with?

I identify with the truth of the world and human race as seen by J.D. Salinger. His courage during and after it was published to stand by his work without apology or recourse.  The struggle and triumph of individualism over collectivism.  I connect and sympathize with his singularity and seclusion.

When it comes to Holden Caulfield, I identify with his innocence, his naiveté and immaturity.  The desire and longing for human connection.  The quest and understanding for true happiness.  His non-conformist attitudes and cynicisms.  His ability to laugh at the things that are “important” and not take himself too seriously.

Tell me a little bit about Spring/Summer 2010? What inspired these photo shoots? What storyline can be identified throughout these creations?

The process in deciding the photo-shoot is very much like the collection.  It starts with the story and ends with the story.  Meaning . . . I first write the next chapter then all decisions that are made go through that filter.  The inspiration for these photo-shoots then were an attempt to capture the environment behind chapter two, where we find Finnegan Nash Sinclair embarking on his “see the world” voyage aboard his grandfathers ship, “The Fatum”.  What I wanted to capture in spring was his out to see adventure and everything that came with it.  Wind, water, doubt, fear, bliss, curiosity, chaos etc . . . With summer the story resumes with Finnegan being rescued by this fantastical group of people on a remote, mysterious island and the drama of this over the top wealthy group of characters and what unfolds behind the masks we all wear.

Your line has a unique mantra - “design a men’s line that is meant to not only be consumed by also enjoyed and understood”. How has the response been thus far? Why do you think people are attracted to your clothes?

The response so far is yet to be decided.  I have always said it would be remarkable if Finnegan and his story became important to the consumer, however if it did not it were o.k . . .. Because the story is such an important part of the process when designing the collection and will always be at the foundation of the brand.  I want Caulfield Preparatory to be more than another item one may have in the closet  . . . perhaps with the story we can create that.  Finnegan is the man we all want to be . . . he is our hero . . . he inspires us because he will do and say the things that we may have dreamed of and cannot.  He is crazy and brilliant.  He is kind and an asshole . . . he is courageous and weak . . . he will push the human race forward because he is curious and rarely says no.

What’s the design process like at CP HQ? What materials do you use?

The deign process at CP HQ is very eclectic. It consists of many parts from various sources . . . there is never a bad idea . . . everything will always have potential and be looked at from all angels and if it doesn’t work now then it is achieved because you never know where the story will take us.  I am a firm believer that the ideas and answers are all around us everyday.  I am working on autumn / Winter 2010 and our boards consist of everything from garbage picked up on the street to leaves fallen from the trees.  We have inspirations from Dior and OshKosh B’Gosh, photos of billboards and a “Lost Cat” flier.  It’s insane . . . but when you really open your eyes its amazing what you will see and find.

Favorite book of all time? Favorite literary hero of all time?

The question is difficult to answer . . . there are so many loved and cherished books in my quiver.   He is a few of my first editions locked up in my vault that I re-read often.

The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer

The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold - John le Carre

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

Falconer - John Cheever

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret - Judy Blume

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

You are known for using distressed and off-the-beat detailing. What do you think this says about your label?

Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines . . . Be alive.  Say Yes. Take risks.  Be dangerous. Ask questions. Stay curious.  Get dirty.  Experiment. Fall in Love.  Signify.

What are you currently working on? What chapter will the next collection take on?

Autumn/Winter 2010 . . . A love story with a ballet dancer in the Swiss Alps.