Upon first glance William Graper (see his work in our Hussle Club story), stylist extraordinaire, looks uncannily like a rockstar. With his long flaxen mane, skinny leather pants and blonde scruff you’ll swear you’re looking at a young Axl Rose clad in Rick Owens. At just 25-years of age Graper has already cut a considerable swath through the fashion industry as a stylist to be reckoned with. The Florida native’s impeccable eye and ingenious flair for layering and exquisite androgyny has landed him on the pages of Vogue Russia and W. It’s his collaborative work with Rad Hourani, however, that has proven to be some of his most inspiring work to date. Always an Oak favorite, Rad Hourani released this video following his Transclassic collection. This body of work is Hourani’s first solo exhibit, presented at Galerie Joyce Royal Paris. The unisex collection expresses individuality in a vacuum- one jacket, one color, one ambiguous gender and ten different perspectives. Shown at Men’s fashion week, Hourani used female models to illustrate the fluidity that his looks provide. To quote, “Hourani’s approach is to give a black & white look at his world, his interests and his visions of a NEW world. This world is one with no gender, no rules, no seasons, epitomizing the very modern value of freedom, passion and elegance. His matter-of-fact aesthetic suggest an interest in the methods used to render things modern for both today and tomorrow.” OAKAZINE spoke briefly with William Graper about his background as a stylist and the groundbreaking work he’s doing with Hourani to create a genderless, ruleless, seasonless world. Interview with William and Transclassic video after the jump -Kelsey Kreiling
Name, age, date of birth, star sign
William Graper, 25, April 2, Aries.
Where did you grow up? How did your early environment influence you creatively?
I was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida on the Gulf Coast. There are five very outspoken and strong-minded kids in my family, and I think early on we all learned to create unique and original ways of being seen and heard. Dinners were spent performing around the table or making jokes. My mother was largely influential in my personal style and taste. Her attention to aesthetics and home decor gave me a passion early on for fine things, beautiful clothes and etiquette. Our personal styles are very different now, but she was really the one who instilled the importance of surrounding yourself with beauty in your everyday life.
When did you start expressing yourself stylistically? When did you first discover fashion?
Growing up my mother took great care in dressing all of us, but it wasn’t until I came across my sister’s Donna Karan red puffer vest (can you imagine?) that I really started to understand the influence that “fashion” has on others. I remember being in awe of how cool she looked and as a young, closeted kid I could identify with that desire to fit in. Branding myself through my appearance and sense of style became powerful for me very early on.
Any early fashion periods/looks that you regret?
A/X ARMANI EXCHANGE. (Although, I do wish I had some of those ribbed, logo sweaters today.)
Did you have any formal schooling? If not, how did you learn to do what you do?
I moved to NYC from Florida when I was seventeen to attend The Fashion Institute of Technology. I was back and forth between attending culinary school and fashion school. I think I made the right decision…
What has been your career path as a stylist. How did you get to where you are?
One thing kind of lead to another… I got my first internship the week I moved here in the fashion closet at Interview Magazine. From there, I freelanced for W Magazine and went on to assist a few influential stylists who really showed me the ropes. Things took off while assisting the fashion director at Vogue Russia who was amazing enough to give me pages. That’s really the moment people started to take notice.
How did you meet Rad Hourani? What about him and what he was doing made you want to work with him?
I first met Rad, very briefly, at one of his after parties a few years ago. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I was formally introduced by his dear friend and make up artist, Hung Vanngo. I began by helping with his shows and it evolved from there. The minimalist in me really identified with his vision and new take on “fashion”. Genderless, timeless, classic. It was just a perfect match from the second we met.
What has been your favorite project with Rad?
The video we did with ONE model, Tanga for his 6th collection and Italian Vogue. It was a lot of work but never once felt like it. Rad knows exactly what he likes and when his creations are put on someone as inspiring as Tanga, you really can’t mess up. It was refreshing to work on a project that allowed for so much play and authentic creativity.
What has been your worst experience as a stylist. Why?
I’ve learned that every client/project/experience is another opportunity to learn something about yourself. I’ve never really had a “bad” experience… I’m only ever unhappy when I compromise what I know to be true and make decisions based on money or pleasing others.
What has been your career highlight? Why?
Meeting people from all over the world and being able to make money doing something I love to do.
What would be your ideal project? Conceptualize it from designer/s, models, location…
INCREDIBLE PRODUCTION = IDEAL. Never underestimate the luxury of a hardworking producer and their production team.
Favorite designers and why. Favorite collections by them?
Personally, I am inspired by designers who work to evolve minimalism without compromising the cleanliness and toughness of what makes it so important. RAD HOURANI, HELMUT LANG: FALL 2003 and SPRING 2004, and GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI: FALL 2007 really do it for me. As a stylist, I love mixing monochromatic elements with the printed and bizarre. The Florida in me gets off on designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli and Moschino. They allow me to play dress up and experiment, which helps to keep my everyday wardrobe simple and to the point.
Tags: black, fashion film, Rad Hourani, Transclassic, unisex
