“Poppy” is one of the slyest and unique art projects of the digital age. The name might sound comfortable and girlish when you first hear it, but the poppy flower has many symbolic meanings. What is “Poppy” for you?
Divinity, contrast, and beauty.
You introduced yourself for 10 minutes in the “I’m Poppy” video that became viral. How important was it for you to put yourself out there and tell the world that you existed and wanted to be seen?
I knew I needed to summarize myself in a poignant fashion, I felt that was the best form.
Poppy Version Zero was mostly about supernaturally Barbie-blond hair and a pastel-hued kawaii inspired aesthetic, while nowadays you are moving towards a more edgy and darker way of presenting yourself. Can you tell us more about the current moment in your life and about this new persona, is it a more elevated version of yourself?
The current version is more closely intertwined with experience and reflective of the inner self.
You were the muse for the famous luxury fashion house Viktor&Rolf and now the co-designer and Art Director of the new capsule collection of the Manchester-based vegan footwear brand Koi Footwear. Is fashion becoming your new creative platform?
Fashion has always been a part of me and a part of my art. I’ve always said that fashion is like wearing your insides on your outside.
Koi Footwear is a brand that embodies generation-Z and the power of internet to make viral trends using meme culture as inspiration. Can you tell us how did this collaboration came about?
I feel very fortunate to be able to collaborate with people who I’m inspired by. The collaboration with Koi was very natural. I wore their shoes in a number of videos that I created, and I love their designs and the fact that they are a sustainable brand is a +++.
Can you share with us an insight into the creative process of designing ‘Poppy’s little secret’ capsule collection?
The idea for the collection to me was more about creating comfortable shoes that can be worn on a casual day but are still statement pieces.