- Words Alex Wilson
- A Wolf & Badger Studios production
- Photography Elliott Wilcox
- Fashion Carlotta Constant
- Fashion Assistant Emelia Gayner
- Fashion Assistant Charlotte Malley
- Creative Direction Karina Barberis
- Hair Avrelle Delisser
- Location Wolf and Badger Studios
From music to fashion, North London’s Jimothy Lacoste has always lived in his own lane ‒ and after speaking his dreams into existence, things really are getting quite exciting.
Eclectic is a word that’s bandied around a lot when it comes to artists, but in the case of Camden-born musician Jimothy Lacoste, there is no word better. From his production, drawing influences from funk, house, disco and indie, to his laid-back delivery, all the way to his slogan ‘Life Is Getting Quite Exciting’, Jimothy’s identity as an artist is entirely unique and all his own. This varied approach feeds through to his style, taking in colours, silhouettes and labels spanning decades. His new clothing range, LIGQE, stands separately from his music but encapsulates all of the above — an expression of the man himself. The best way to find out all that that entails? We asked him.
- JACKET + TROUSERS SERGIO TACCHINI
- T-SHIRT LIGQE
- SHOES NIKE AT SCHUH
- WAISTCOAT WRANGLER AT TRUE VINTAGE
- SHIRT LEVI’S AT TRUE VINTAGE TROUSERS
- TROUSERS JACQUEMUS
- BELT ERL
You recently dropped your new EP, ‘Jimothy’s House Party Package 2’ — how would you say your sound is evolving in your new music?
I’m still trying to decide that for myself. Either way, it’s going to be very exciting. Expect sick basslines and sick dance music!
I’m continuing to experiment with my house sound, whilst trying to give with a chill dance vibe. It’s like driving music and club music all in one. “Describe Black” is a nice dance song to drive to at night. “Describe White” is a nice daytime club song.
When launching your new LIGQE collection, did you feel you had to make it work with your music in mind, or were you happy to let it stand alone as a new project?
I feel like my merch and my music are not heavily connected. Obviously it is, but what LIGQE means and stands for is basically my whole movement, you know? Keeping things exciting in your life, and with [that], you should have some nice exciting clothes with it. Nothing too complicated. But I wouldn’t say it would have to work with my music, no.
- JACKET NIKE AT TRUE VINTAGE
- T-SHIRT LIQGE
- TROUSERS GCDS
- SHOES SALOMON
- JACKET & TROUSERS WALES BONNER
- T-SHIRT LIGQE
- SHOES WEEJUNS
The range has some noticeable points of reference across fashion, politics and music. What serves as inspiration for you when creating your designs?
I think my biggest inspiration with my clothing is classic adverts they used back in the day — the fonts they used, the colours and the characters. That’s mainly what I really go for. A lot of brands are doing it now, but I’ve always been into it. But of course, the really good brands have always kept it like that — keeping things quite simple and classic. My main thing is going for simple things, but sharp with colour.
Besides your own, do you have any brands you always come back to?
I like how Prada gives you the clothes and tells the person ‘You have to style it yourself’, while other brands are already styling models in a very particular way — an easy way. People buying Gucci or Louis Vuitton would already know how to wear it, whereas with Prada, it’s different. I like that, because then it stops people with no style from buying Prada.
- SWEATER ERL
- TROUSERS MARNI
- BAG RIMOWA
- MITTENS ERL
- SOCKS LONDON SOCK CO
- SHOES WEEJUNS
You’re clearly a man who takes great enjoyment in curating your personal style. Namesake aside, there’s a definite preppy flare that’s not gone unnoticed. Who are your style icons?
I absolutely love styling myself. It’s just one of those things I’ve been practising since I was 13 years old. I started getting into clothes at about 12, but at 13 was when I felt a bit cooler and I would know what I wanted and what I’d wear. From there it developed. It was never through celebrities that I would get inspired, but more from friends.
The new collection is a triumph, a lesson in steeze if I may! What’s next for LIGQE? Are you going to keep growing the collection outside of apparel?
Absolutely! What is next for LIGQE is getting more money and connections so I can create more clothes. It really irritates me when people say ‘You should make a sweater, you should make socks’, or ‘You should make a jacket’. Of course I want to make this, but people don’t realise that the money you need to put in clothing is insane. I need to get that first. I need to be in a position to spend money on that, but still be able to eat. But what’s next for LIGQE is definitely sweatshirts, corduroys and hopefully some jackets. I’m going to take it one at a time.
- JACKET ANOTHER ASPECT
- SHIRT YVES SAINT LAURENT AT TRUE VINTAGE
- SHORTS ACNE STUDIOS
- SOCKS LONDON SOCK CO
- SHOES BIRKENSTOCKS
- HAT LIGQE
