The talented Stephane Ashpool shared with us about his background in the fashion business, his latest projects, his love of Indonesia and many more. Read more to see the entire interview session.

Hi Stéphane, so you are the founder of the brand Pigalle, could you tell us when it started & how you found this name?

Hello Bird – Long time no see. Yes, I’m the founder of Pigalle Paris, co-founder of the Pain O ChoKolat collective and party maker at Pompon & Co. Pigalle is a district in Paris where we nearly all come from; very mix, lot of soul and it is the most famous red light district worldwide. So, when we had to start the shop, Pigalle was an obvious name for the brand.

What is your background in the fashion industry?

Chasin’ clothes worldwide is my #1 since I had an artistic family who put me on the rail. My dad was occasionally doing costume for a little contemporary theatre, my mum was doing choreography for some fashion back then. Few years ago, we even decided to open a family business called Vida9, doing production for fashion shows. We had a really good period, working for Manish Arora, Damir Doma, Rick Owens, Sharon Wauchob, Gareth Pugh & many more. As I told you at first, my journey has been started since I was 10, my eyes were opened by watching and enjoying all type of clothes, from street wear to high fashion. Mix-city is my most important value in clothes.

We can see your inspiration coming from the sport wear & the streets through your apparel collections. Who are the people from these backgrounds inspired you the most?

True true – but I don’t think I have particular people who inspire me. Colors, ethnics, materials are what inspire me at first. I like all types of people from their eccentricities to classes … but no one special.

I could notice that you sell Pigalle Collection at the Opening Ceremony and then you expanded worldwide (Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, New York…). When will you target South-East Asia (Indonesia- Singapore -Malaysia)?

Yes – Anytime you want, guys. I’m just waiting to get a good opportunity there. But I love Asia, and Indonesia is one of my favorite place in the world. Someday day soon, I’m sure.

You’re selling your Pigalle Hats in Colette & some of your apparel collection in the Opening Ceremony, you’re working for Nike as a consultant, you’re also representing the Trade-Show Capsule, you’re one of the founders of the new Hottest parisian club Le Pompon, moreover you’re organizing lots of parties for many years & an annual Block party Under the Pain O Chocolat Collective? How do you manage all that? Do you have super powers?

Hahahhahah – True, I look older than my real age those days. But work it’s my life for now, before I build a big family. I love kids! No, seriously, it’s not super powers – it’s just the motivation of doing stuff I love to do. I feel blessed to live with my passion. This is good, but it’s just the beginning of the Ashpool era. Marking our time is my number one motivation.

What are your latest projects?

Well I just opened a new store in a huge new building in Paris dedicated for fashion & design (cite de la mode et du design). It is called PGL by Pigalle – LCD Edition, next to the Galliera museum where the present big retrospective of Commes Des Garcons & Balenciaga is. The interior of the store is originally designed by myself, mainly inspired by colors. I’m selling my home brand & some top worldwide designers – Moreover, I’m preparing lots of events & stuff for Nike Basketball for this summer, and my next fashion show.

Recently, A$Ap Rocky had performed in Paris (03-22-2012), I noticed he was wearing your sweat Pigalle. Is he the first artist who’s endorsing your brand? How did this collaboration happen?

No no, Rocky and I are just friends. He contacted a friend of mine and asked them for some of Pigalle’s products. He’s a very smart guy, he likes to be represented in a particular esthetic … he likes mixcity of gender. That’s why you can see him wear some Rick Owens, with Lanvin and Pigalle hoodie.

We had a lot of fun when he was in Paris … but nobody told him to wear Pigalle. There’s no contract behind it, only feeling & energy.

Pigalle is often related to your several happening events under the collective name Pain O Chocolat & annual Pain o Chokolat Block Party in Paris, we could see you spinning in Bali (at Potato Head, on August 2011), Singapore, Tokyo & Hong Kong, when will you be performing in Jakarta ?

SOON, as I told you. We love Indonesia. We’re just waiting for the good opportunity to go there. Plus it will be a good occasion to see the love of my life who’s living there now. hahaha

You’ve done a wonderful collaboration with Nike the artist Yue Wu a.k.a. Nyno & the basket ball player Lebron James for Air Max Sneakers & a basket ball court in Paris in Pigalle area. Could you tell us more about it?

Yes, it was fun, I had very good memories of these events. It was like a dream came true for me. We built our own Pigalle court with Nike and Lebron James came to inaugurate the place. Yué is a very good friend, he painted a fake crowd on the wall and we also worked on the shoes together…

Any other exciting projects for the future?

Branching the shops worldwide, keep doing big stuff around basketball, having babies & be happy …

How do we get your clothing brand from Indonesia from now on?

Nowhere – come to Paris or sorry … hahahhaha. But seriously, the website will be available next September, before that it’s gonna be hard to get.

Merci de nous avoir consacré du temps Stéphane. (Thank you for your time Stéphane.)

My pleasure