Empty Behavior SS24 and Interview with Joel and Nino
Never have I ever been so unsettled to walk into a fashion show before. At first glance, this show was just extremely weird. After a long day of running around Paris, I was more than elated to land in the Palais de Tokyo at the Empty Behavior show. I have never heard of this brand before that day and it took me a while to figure it out, what exactly was I there to see?
When we were all finally let into the presentation, there were four rows of people dressed in black hooded ponchos from head to toe wearing masks with an Asian man's face on them. Nobody moved. As the crowd explored the room, the initial bewildering atmosphere turned into amusement and before you knew it a few attendees were strutting the runway, basically just having a blast. Some were fulfilling their fantasies of walking the runway at the Palais de Tokyo, others were really just enjoying the strange dynamics that were happening. It took a while to notice but finally we all started to look down. The footwear on these models were all marvelous. This was indeed not a fashion show but a footwear presentation. Pointy angular sneakers, resembling those most often seen in fashion cowboy boots were positioned next to shiny black extreme fold over boots. And yes, I do want a pair in every style, these are just absolutely stunning. I got a chance to speak with Joel and Nino about their line and ask them, why the spooky show?
Tell me about your idea behind this presentation.
So normally in a show the guest watches the show and this time it’s the guests who are walking in the show, as the models. We are switching it up and it’s been fun. Seeing the guests come in and interacting with the runway that has been set up has been interesting. Some people didn’t know what to do and some really took the time to make the most of it.
Why the name, Empty Behavior?
We wanted to approach it with a blank heart, with no expectations. We wanted no influences on things that have already been created and things that have not been created yet. You can be anything and everything and you can get everything and anything you want to. Everything is possible. You can be the guest on the runway but you can also be the model on the runway.
Why did you guys choose to show during Fashion Week in Paris?
Because everybody knows Paris is the fashion capital of the world. We wanted to bring this Chinese brand to the public, to a worldwide audience.
Do you plan on showing at Paris Fashion Week or other international fashion weeks in the future as well?
So far no, right now I am studying design in Milan. We will take our time and survey what is out there to be involved in. Whether it is in Europe or elsewhere, we’re not in a hurry. We are going to keep an eye on it though.
How old is this brand?
Almost two years. Still a little baby brand.
Are you in any stores right now? Are you online?
Yes, we are available through our website online which is doing quite well in China currently. We also are taking this opportunity to have more of a footprint in Europe by getting into a showroom in Paris. We are hoping that this season kicks off a new market for us.
Well, anything else you want anybody to know about your brand?
We want the whole world to know us, just be famous! [laughs] Actually, it’s been a dream come true to show in Paris at the same venue as Rick Owens. We really look up to Rick Owens and to be here at the Palais de Tokyo where he shows is truly a bit of a dream, really.
