Warning! Making the Cut spoilers ahead! The fourth episode of Making the Cut featured a win for Yannik Zamboni, known for his deconstructed designs. Raised in a small town in Switzerland, the maison blanche designer has a Bachelor of Arts in fashion design from University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and founded his line in September of 2020. We got on a Zoom with him to learn more about his line and get the scoop on his upcoming NYFW show.
Where are you now?
I’m in Switzerland in Zurich!
The show has now started airing. Has anything in your life changed so far?
There’s a lot of press and interviews. A lot of requests. It’s getting exciting.
Have you gotten recognized on the street?
I got recognized when I went for lunch. It was kind of weird. A guy came up to me and asked if I was Yannik Zampboni and I asked if we knew each other and he said, ‘No! But I know you!’ I have some more followers on Instagram. It’s not where I want to be yet, but it’s slowly starting.
How does it feel to watch yourself?
In the beginning it was very weird. Especially when you hear yourself talking. It’s nice to see because all of the memories are freshened up. We had so much fun and love for each other. It’s nice to see that after a long waiting period.
What made you want to do the show?
I knew I had to change something in my business. I started my business during Corona and in the beginning it was OK, but it got harder and harder and harder. I didn’t have the funds to go into production. I needed a bigger audience. Then this request came in asking if I wanted to join and TV show. Why not? Let’s do it!
Yannik Zamboni
Tell me about your vibe as a designer.
The design is the center. We don’t want to do a lot of colors or print combinations. We don’t want to distract from the design. We deconstruct and build something that people don’t see often. We create something new and fresh. We design on a binary system for men or female. We design for everybody. It’s very gender inclusive. We like to work with trans people, non-binary, gender fluid people. We try to also be as sustainable as we can. We use materials don’t break down into microplastic by using natural fibers.
Yannik Zamboni
What’s your longterm goal for the brand?
I want a sustainable brand that sells! As long as I can do what I love to do, I’m happy. But we need some coins. I need to pay my employees. The more successful the brand, the more employees I can have.
Are you showing at NYFW?
I am! I’m showing on September 14th. We had to do the application to get in way before the casting of Making the Cut was announced. Nobody in the US knew me. We’re gonna crash New York Fashion Week. I’m coming the 7th of September, which is also my birthday. I’ll have a birthday party in the airplane.
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9 comments
I won’t be watching “Making the Cut” any longer. Apparently it’s no longer important for people to look good. Judging was a mess.
Are you kidding me? It was the best season yet! Don’t be close minded. Our world is evolving. Sure we aren’t all going to wear a lot of the fashions because our daily lifestyle wouldn’t warrant it, but how do things change and evolve if we stay in the same box?
I have to agree with Mickie, this will be my last season as well. What a disappointment this season was for me! I am interested to see how well Yannik’s clothes will sell on Amazon given the fact that the majority of it is not wearable for the average Joe/Jane. Wishing him the best of luck regardless.
Just curious… was there EVER any reason the “average Joe/Jane” would have felt excluded from his clothing? He specifically designs for all genders. If you feel average, you probably would feel AMAZING in Yannick’s clothing. Get some. Be less average.
Clearly many of you are missing the point. A fashion show is supposed to be over the top. It needs to be inspiring. Take a look at the actual pieces released- they are tailored to be more accessible to your average body and lifestyle. No one expects to walk down the street wearing some crazy outfit on a regular Tuesday morning, but his ideas have inspired some new cuts and patterns for the next round of what’s in fashion.
I loved the art of Yannik’s pieces. It’s not always about who can wear his pieces. Clearly he knows how to make wearable fashion for Amazon, dah!
I love Tim Gunn; he is a statesman of composure, but one who cares.
However, the judging is often irrational. Who knows what tortured behind the scenes discussions go on. Ive nothing against Yannik, but It is crazy that Yannik won; his storefront display was just, post apocalyptic destruction imagery.
His colors were just shades of green in white. His refusal to display anything upfront was a strategy with a bad vibe. The other three contestants had far more creativity and sell-ability. It reminds me of a time in high culture when it as the fashion to rave over dump grounds. They say that real fashion never goes out of style; but this is proof that it does. I’m done following the show.
He’s an amazing artist and designer. The judges got it right this time. It was the 1st season they got wrong.
I figured Yannik would win because Heidi gushed over the hideous clothes he designed. I hoped Jeanette would win but clearly weird, unattractive clothing created by a narcissist who designs for himself rather than customers appealed to the very weird judges. I hope the other three very talented designers are met with great success.