General Experiment / Unapologetic Innovation

In conversation with General Experiment’s head designer

Step into the world of General Experiment, a fashion manifesto. A bold statement against the status quo. In an industry drowning in imitation, this brand stands fiercely apart, unapologetically redefining what it means to create. With roots in personal stories, including the raw realities of memory and loss, the designer behind General Experiment isn’t just playing the fashion game—they’re rewriting the rules. Forget trends. Forget safety. This is where experimentation meets storytelling, and where every piece carries the weight of disruption.

Before General Experiment, what shaped you as a designer? Was there a defining moment or experience that pushed you to disrupt the traditional fashion path?

My initial exploration into fashion centered on discovering my personal preferences- what resonates with me and what doesn’t. Researching and studying the archives of my favorite artists played a huge role in shaping my aesthetic vision. But it was when I started reflecting on my own personal stories that I realized my true focus: telling those stories through my designs.

What were your early days in fashion like? Did you always know you’d launch something as bold as General Experiment, or did your journey take unexpected turns?

I’ve always known that fashion was my calling- I even remember being in elementary school, asking my parents how to get my drawings screen printed. But discovering your identity as an artist takes time; there’s no way to rush that
process. General Experiment is the result of years of growth, experimentation, and exploration of the stories, messages, and aesthetics I aim to express through the brand.

New York is a beast in its own right—how has the city shaped your perspective on fashion and design? Do you find its chaos inspiring or constricting?

New York is unmatched – there’s no other place in the world that captures this energy. The people, the chaos, the passion, the hustle- it all fuels something new. Living here is so inspiring, being surrounded by this creative community it’s hard not to feel like I want to just go go go with no brakes. We are always pushing boundaries, sparking new ideas, and bringing new concepts to life. It’s a place where innovation is constant, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else but in the heart of it all.

Every designer has their influences—who or what outside of fashion has inspired your creative process?

General Experiment is fundamentally driven by the stories and messages I seek to convey. This year, my inspiration has been deeply rooted in my grandfather’s journey with Alzheimer’s. I reflected on moments and memories we shared, developed ideologies around the disease, and explored the concepts of memory and loss- using these experiences to shape the core principles of this collection.

General Experiment—your brand name alone feels like a challenge to the status quo. But what is it really about?

At its core, General Experiment is all about the stories and messages I aim to convey through my garments. Without the story, there’s no purpose. And the name came to me while reflecting on what my work represents- an exploration of experimental fashion.

General Experiment sounds like more than just clothing—it feels like a movement. How do you define success for a brand that’s trying to rewrite the rules?

That’s exactly what General Experiment is- more than just clothing. It’s a platform for storytelling, creativity, community and breaking boundaries. Success, for me, is defined by the impact we have on people. It’s not just about how the garments look, but how they resonate with those who wear them. If our designs inspire people to think differently, to embrace their individuality, or even to challenge the status quo, then we’ve succeeded. It’s about creating a space where art, fashion and community intersect in new and meaningful ways.

Your designs seem to exist outside the typical fashion cycle. How do you balance being an outsider with creating work that resonates within the industry?

I believe that as long as you stay true and authentic to yourself and your work, it will naturally speak to and resonate with others.

Fashion can be a ruthless game of conformity, but you’re out to disrupt that. What was the breaking point that made you decide to go against the grain?

It was never a thing that I set out to do- it’s just in my nature as a designer and artist to create innovative work. Making ordinary things is just boring Lol.

As a designer, you’ve chosen the path of experimentation. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken with General Experiment, and how do you expect it to pay off?

The biggest risk I’ve taken with General Experiment is pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion by rejecting what’s safe or expected. Every collection is an exploration, which means there’s always the risk of it not being understood or received in the way I envisioned- but that’s the beauty of experimentation. The payoff lies in creating something authentic- something that disrupts and inspires, approach will attract a community that values originality, storytelling, and innovation.

In a fashion world drowning in noise, what sets General Experiment apart as more than just another ‘cool brand’?

A huge part of General Experiment is the community that I’ve built around the brand. Connection and collaboration are deeply embedded in its foundation and have become essential to its ethos. This community has become more than just a brand.

What drives you to push boundaries in your work? Is it personal ambition, frustration with the industry, or something deeper?

whether it’s immediately embraced or challenges the status quo. I believe this personally, that’s just how I view art. I don’t see the value in investing time and effort into creating something that’s already been done before. For me, the purpose of art lies in pushing boundaries and offering something new.

What do you hope people see or feel when they experience General Experiment? What part of your story do you want them to connect with?

I want my audience to form a direct connection with my garments, understanding the messages and stories behind each piece. I want them to relate to those narratives and wear the clothing because they’re inspired to carry that energy forward, using it to tell their own story.

General Experiment / Unapologetic Innovation

Fashion brand: General Experiment / @general_experiment
Designer: Laurence Wei / @laurencewei
Interviewer: Elena Murratzu / @elena.murratzu
Editor: Anca Macavei / @ancamacavei
Photos: @alexandradoiron @sxuicune @cyshimi @alexiismadeline @catstackxx
@sadsamo @ysqshiqi @modelminority_ @0000000iseqqq @shopping4images
@alyseleah @nedrobinsonjones @rastamambajj @ath3nali @henny0o0

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