Life is exciting for fashion designer Shoshanna Ani, 22, who showcased one of her avant-garde creations at the FR2DAY launch party a few weeks ago. The daughter of a drinks importer, Shoshanna grew up in Vence and is making headway with her innovative designs in latex. She gives FR2DAY the lowdown on her fashion inspirations.

What are your connections with this part of the world?
I was born in Nigeria while my dad was working there. I was 12 when we left to live in Vence. I went to the ISN where I did the international baccalaureate before heading to Plymouth College of Art and Design.



How did you start in fashion?
I used to make clothes for my stuffed toys and Barbies and glue them together because I couldn't sew! At art college, one of our projects was to make an outfit out of bin bags. We couldn't sew them, so using bin bags and electrical tape, I ended up making a corset and a ballgown style skirt. I really enjoyed myself and the head of fashion came round to look and told me it was fantastic. I was going to do Fine Art but she told me to do fashion instead. I'm in my final year now.

What was your first fashion job?
I answered an advert for a part-time designer and pattern cutter for an alternative clothing company, designing with pvc and using it in a different way to the norm. I got the job and after a month, the boss said he wanted to use latex and reinvent its image as a seedy fetish fabric. I had never worked with it before but it sounded like a challenge. I made evening gowns, tops and skirts and even some menswear. There is such a big gap in the market. Latex has negative connotations to it but I want to change that. You can make it into mock croc, it is so versatile.

Who would you like to work with?
I've always loved Dior and now that John Galliano is designing for Dior it would be my dream to work with him. In the Dior couture shows, they sometimes use latex. They have it specially made by a company in London so I'd love to work in that area.

Do you take on private commissions?
For the FR2DAY launch in May, I made a dress for one of the Sparkling Vodka models to wear. People are still a little unsure about latex. It's difficult to explain how you are going to make latex look elegant and sophisticated!

Are you hoping to sell your designs in St Tropez and Cannes?
I hope so. The only downside to wearing latex is it can be quite hot so if you are wearing full length or long sleeves, you can get a bit warm in the Cote d'Azur climate. But there is definitely a place for it down here, the fashion is very out there and I can see it working.

What are the key differences between French and British fashion?
The English are more open-minded to the quirkier and wackier aspects of fashion, whereas France is very grand and theatrical and over the top. I don't know how in touch they are with their wacky side in France whereas the irony of a latex ballgown would really appeal to the English market.

How does the South of France rate on the fashion front?
I love that whole chic French look that you find in the South of France, especially in Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco. The women make such an effort to look beautiful from head to toe. Their hair is lovely, their make-up is beautiful and even if they are just sitting in a bar on the beach, they tend to really make an effort. I just love a really elegant look on a woman and a put-together look on a man. The English are a lot more laid back with fashion and throw things together completely differently to how French people do and it suits them, even if it's not my sort of thing.

What stores do you like down here?
I've only got into high end fashion in the last two years. I love going around Chanel, Dior and YSL on the Croisette because the clothes are beautiful and the fabrics are gorgeous. But when I buy clothes for me, I shop a lot in London. I love the designer diffusion stuff at Debenhams and I like Dorothy Perkins.

Who have been your biggest fashion influences?
I have always loved and been inspired by both John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel. I have a thing for black and white together and the way Lagerfeld uses it is so elegant. Even a plain white shirt designed by him looks incredible. There is a latex couturier in London called Atsuko Kudo, who does the most fantastic latex skirt suits in a nude colour that have been printed with black to give it the effect of lace. Her outfits are incredible and Grace Jones, Eva Mendes, Lady Gaga and Kate Moss are fans.

You can see more of Shosanna Ani's work on her website