Surface To Air has either conceived or been a part of some of the most creative projects you’ve no doubt come across in the past few years. In the late 90’s Surface To Air consisted of a group of friends in Paris who wanted to work on projects they liked and since then, the team has grown into a multidisciplinary company spanning across creative domains such as fashion, graphics, photography, design, music, and films. They are part creative agency, part clothing label and part studio. Past projects have included but are not limited to music videos for Justice and Chromeo, art directing the Blason shoot for Pharrell’s line of jewelery for Louis Vuitton, commercials for Diesel, Sony and Louis Vuitton and more recently, launching UNIQLO in France and a capsule collection with Kings of Leon. And we’re just getting to the clothing side of things.
Since 2004 and before the clothing collaborations with the likes of Justice and Chromeo, S2A has been widely recognized for their modern interpretations of classic and technical garments along with a separate line of S2A accessories. Breathable, fully waterproof outerwear pieces with taped seams; superfine Merino cardigans with leather patches; calf leather bags; fine leather ankle boots; porcelain dipped and dirty gold jewelery are among some of best pieces going at the moment. Being long times fans of the line and creative exports, we felt it was only appropriate to start from the beginning and chat for a few minutes with S2A founder Jérémie Rozan in between shoots, creative directing, and putting the final touches on his latest music video for Chromeo – Night By Night.
My name is Jérémie Georges Louis Joseph Rozan, my role at Surface To Air is founder and Creative director.
Before Surface To Air I had a life.
What I want people to know about Surface To Air is we do whatever we want and that you [can do that] and do it successfully. You do not need to be specialized to do something.
My day-to-day consists of the same as a firefighter.
I know something is a big idea when everybody talks about it…in our office
My approach to creative direction is let’s do it and we’ll see. It is quite hard to analyze more. But I like: epic, poetic, erotic, destruction, brutalism, nature.
The project I’m most proud of is Surface To Air in general because it is the project of all projects. The whole idea of S2A is to be able to jump from one project to the other with a refreshed mind that you would not have if you’d always worked in the same field. That’s the basis of our originality I guess
What I love about the Surface To Air clothing line is it is made by us and for us. It is a mix of all our geographic and social origins. The S2A team gathers more than 14 nationalities.
You can usually find me wearing boots, jeans and buttoned up shirt.
Our brand has always had part of its roots in the States. It is more than time for us to come there with a proper project we have always found an amazing support there in NY or LA.
The best part about my job is that it changes every minute. The worst part about my job is that it changes every minute
I really admire people who have 3 kids because 2 is quite tough already.
Werner Herzog really inspires me.
Outside of work you can find me working.
The most important thing I’ve learned thus far is listen to everyone but do not take in account what they say.
My hopes for 2010 are for Surface To Air to build 2011 properly.
Since 2002, the S2A boutique/gallery near the Louvre has showcased the S2A’s own fashion
collection, the lines of other alternative designers, and the work of many artists including Banksy.
