Designer Juozas Statkevičius calls 'body positive' a deception, highlights fashion industry disparities

Lithuanian fashion designer Juozas Statkevičius has offered a candid perspective on the global fashion industry, contrasting the vibrant market in Paris with the perceived limitations in his home country. Currently immersed in creating a new collection for Paris haute couture, Statkevičius explained that the "pre-collection" phase is crucial for securing significant orders from buyers with substantial budgets.

“

In Lithuania, you do a presentation – it's a big celebration, a spectacle that costs a lot, and there's little benefit. One or two clients come, and that's it. There isn't a real industry here.

He noted that while Paris is a hub for major fashion events and clientele, organizing a similar presentation in Lithuania is less impactful. "In Lithuania, you do a presentation – it's a big celebration, a spectacle that costs a lot, and there's little benefit. One or two clients come, and that's it. There isn't a real industry here," he stated. Statkevičius observed that Lithuanian consumers might shy away from a dress if they see another woman wearing it, unlike the international appreciation for his designs.

Statkevičius recounted the success of his creations at Cannes, where 33 of his dresses were worn by actresses. His agent requested all available pieces, including designs that were 20 years old, which still appeared "fresh." This illustrates a different principle in international fashion, where actresses might wear the same dress multiple times, prioritizing fit and style over exclusivity.

“

Look at fashion shows, for example, on the Chanel runway, those girls walk, and the one who is fuller is shown for half a second, while others are shown longer. This is a deception.

The designer also voiced strong criticism of the "body positive" movement, labeling it a "deception." He pointed to figures like Anna Wintour and major brands such as Prada, suggesting that while they may include larger models for appearances, the runway still predominantly features slender figures. "Look at fashion shows, for example, on the Chanel runway, those girls walk, and the one who is fuller is shown for half a second, while others are shown longer. This is a deception," he asserted.

“

My agent called and asked: send everything you have, everyone likes it here. So I even sent dresses that were 20 years old, and they all looked like new.

While acknowledging that any woman can look good regardless of body type, Statkevičius stressed the importance of overall aesthetics and health. He believes that one's "fatness" can either be made fashionable or not, but emphasized that health is paramount. He concluded that in the realm of fashion and professionalism, a slender and graceful body is always considered beautiful.

“

Your fatness you can make either fashionable or not – that is the essential thing. But health is important. If you are overweight and it's hard for you to bend down to tie your shoes, that's not good. And I'm talking about fashion, professionalism, and here the slender, graceful body is always beautiful.