Martine Rose celebrated her 14th birthday on the Strawberry Sundae nightclub in London. Rising up watching her older sister dress in Jean Paul Gaultier (and infrequently even “borrowing” outfits for her personal outings), Martine discovered inspiration within the dance music and style of the London membership scene. These experiences, mixed with the UK’s outstanding soccer tradition, impressed her eponymous label, which she began in 2007.

Chioma not too long ago hopped on Zoom to speak with Martine about her profession, in addition to the raucous London nights they each skilled. (Chioma was solely 16 when she first went out.) The 2 associates additionally reminisced about attending final yr’s British Vogue Awards, the place Martine gained British menswear designer of the yr—an honor that took her fully abruptly.

In 2016, Balenciaga’s artistic director, Demna, requested Martine to work with him on the model’s first menswear assortment. It was a difficult second: Martine had simply had her first baby, Valentine; she was going through eviction from her house; and the sensation of imposter syndrome was intense. Nevertheless, her work with Balenciaga was successful, and helped Martine’s profession attain new heights.

Chioma and Martine went on to debate a number of the latter’s different iconic collaborations—together with the Nike Shox mules that everybody within the Vogue places of work love, and her work on Kendrick Lamar and Child Keem’s live performance merch. Whereas Martine isn’t somebody who usually fawns over artists, she is certainly a Kendrick fangirl.