Behind the scenes of Quriosé underwear
We caught up with Stan – the designer behind Quriosé underwear – for a behind-the-scenes look at the brand making a bid for space in your wardrobe.
You’ve described the human body as your obsession, and that Quriosé is all about adorning men’s bodies. What’s been the journey through which you’ve realised that this is your passion?
I always loved nudity, even as a kid – I loved being naked.
When I started learning fashion, I came across Versace’s books and loved how he used naked male models as props to photograph everything from women’s clothing to home furnishings.
This was also the point I realised I was gay – I was more horney to see these naked men than seeing the supermodels.
Later, photography played an important role in my imagination – Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, Alair Gomes, to name a few. Looking at those pictures and images, I felt aroused.
You’ve talked about how your intention with Quriosé is to help men to express themselves, but that it’s not about inclusion, it’s about belonging. Why is that distinction important to you?
I said that it’s not about “fitting-in” but about “belonging”. If we talk about Inclusion, that is something different than “fitting-in” and “belonging”.
Fitting-in is when you have to make adjustments to your lifestyle, your personality and to adapt to your surrounding – you are able to survive but not thrive.
Belonging is when you don’t have to pretend who you are, you can do what you feel like and you thrive – you are accepted in your natural state, you’re not cutting or rounding your edges to fit in and be accepted.
Inclusion, unfortunately, depends entirely on the third party – that is the saddest part. There is still a long way to go.
The brand has a really extensive range – so there is pretty much something for everyone – but a lot of the pieces require the wearer to have a certain level of confidence? How would you describe the man that you have in mind when you’re designing the Quriosé range?
I really don’t have an image of a certain kind of man – I envisage different kinds of men, of different shapes, bodies, and colour.
You’re based in Paris – does Quriosé have a specifically French aesthetic, or is underwear universal?
For me, it’s universal – one has to be international while being local.
I’m not sure if people instinctively get what Quriosé is all about, there is a bit work to be done there.
Already, the name is mix. Curio, the English word for a small piece of jewellery, a trinket or an intriguing object. This is combined with Osé, the French word for daring or to dare.
Quriosé is a small daring object that you adorn yourself in a way to express your individuality, or just for fun.
What do you hope that men feel when they’re wearing items from the Quriosé range?
Definitely sexy and aroused!
Joan Crisol shoots Pavlo Cain for Quriosé underwear
To showcase the Quriosé range, renowned photographer Joan Crisol turns his camera on Pavlo Cain – capturing him from every angle in a range of styles.