Jackson Wiederhoeft
Episode 5 Jackson Wiederhoeft
On this episode of Weddings-ish, Jove is joined by the visionary fashion designer Jackson Wiederhoeft. Wiederhoeft is a multidisciplinary artist known for his innovative approach to fashion design. His work spans various mediums, including fashion, theater, and visual arts. Wiederhoeft's creations often push the boundaries of conventional artistic expression, blending elements of fantasy, surrealism, and avant-garde aesthetics.
Jove opens the discussion by reflecting on attending his first Wiederhoeft runway show, which defies the norms of traditional fashion shows. Wiederhoeft's runway shows are immersive experiences, taking viewers on a journey through dreamlike realms rather than something that focuses solely on the garments he’s created. This came more naturally to Wiederhoeft who found his way to fashion design through theater.
“I think I have always been like a drama club kid, sometimes it’s easier to think of it as a performance, my mind just goes there, sometimes it’s easier to design if there is a story or a narrative”
Jackson on creating immersive theater experiences instead of traditional fashion shows.
Wiederhoft's journey into fashion began in high school through costume design, where he discovered his passion for storytelling through clothing. It was during a performance of "Hello Dolly" that he experienced a pivotal moment, realizing the transformative power of costumes in bringing narratives to life. This epiphany led him to become deeply involved in his school's drama club, earning him the title of "the queen of drama club" with the help of a dedicated team of supportive mothers who sewed garments for productions. After graduating, Wiederhoft relocated from Houston to New York City to pursue his dreams further, enrolling at Parsons School of Design. While studying, he gained valuable experience working for Thom Browne. Throughout this time, Wiederhoft harbored the idea of creating his own collection, sketching designs at his desk and knowing deep down that he needed to pursue this path to find fulfillment. This vision for his collection had been brewing in his mind for years, and he finally brought it to fruition, driven by his passion for fashion and storytelling.
Jackson Wiederhoeft's design ethos is deeply rooted in the exploration of fairytale aesthetics, delving into the realms of emotion, mythology, and archetypal characters with a whimsical twist. He revels in pushing the boundaries of recognizable archetypes and fairytales, stretching them until they break and morph into unrecognizable yet captivating forms. Wiederhoeft's design process varies from collection to collection, often evolving over an extended period, with each piece meticulously crafted to evoke a distinct story or feeling. He emphasizes the importance of knowing when a fashion look is complete, a decision influenced by his developed visual language encompassing elements like hair, makeup, and movement. Through his creations, Wiederhoeft seeks to build immersive worlds that celebrate diversity, showcasing the power of representation in challenging traditional beauty standards. Wedding wear, in particular, allows him to explore a spectrum of shapes and body types, highlighting the inherent beauty in each individual. When it comes to gender in clothing, Wiederhoft adopts a post-gender perspective, drawing inspiration from femininity and the archetypal princess figure found in fairytales and mythology. He envisions a fairytale world where gender holds no significance, where individuals can freely express themselves through clothing without constraint. For Wiederhoeft, fashion serves as a vehicle for self-exploration, offering infinite possibilities to uncover hidden facets of one's identity—a concept he fondly refers to as the "secret door theory."
Wiederhoeft is no stranger to dressing celebrities like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Julia Fox, and Jennifer Coolidge, but some of the most memorable creations have been for brides, “While many view bridal as not fashion, Wiederhoeft sees wedding wardrobe very differently. “Certain brides stick in your brains forever and ever like ghosts. We love them.” Lucky for us, Wiederhoeft is never bored or uninspired. Jackson walks Jove through the process of designing multiple collections each year, and being on the CFDA fashion council with Ana Wintor. We can’t see what else Jackson Wiederhoeft has in store for us!
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