The Golden Butterfly: AU VYDA’s Fall 2014 Collection Brings Dramatic Flair to Fashion

Fall 2014 AU VYDA collection. Photo Credit: AU VYDA.

GALO: Rich colors and prints are also strengths of the collection, and nothing is done subtly. Why did you decide to use such vibrant, powerful hues?

DY: Subtle is the concept and motif of the collection. As for color and print, I have always loved bold and strong imagery. I believe that a woman who wears bold colors is not afraid of showing off her confidence and her natural grace.

GALO: Your Web site uses terms like “artistic,” “aloof,” and “subtle confidence.”How would you describe the AU VYDA woman?

DY: She is confident, elegant and artistic. She understands that she is the focal point and that the clothes will help her be noticed, but not in a gaudy and arrogant way.

GALO: AU VYDA’s Facebook page states: “Celestial, cerebral, rooted in tradition yet modern, AU VYDA embodies the eternal spirit of transient beauty and youth, living neither here nor there.” Why the name AU VYDA?

DY: AU is the chemical symbol for gold and VYDA is an acronym of my name “Davy.” It is also a play on words: AU is French for “the” and VYDA (vida) is Spanish for “life.” So, it essentially can be interpreted as “The Golden Life.” The butterfly is essentially a Japanese symbol for the soul. And the reason the logo is a butterfly is to represent the spirit of a person, or the life and essence of a person.

Fall 2014 AU VYDA collection. Photo Credit: AU VYDA.

GALO: AU VYDA has dressed a multitude of celebrities. How does it make you feel when you see stars in your designs?

DY: It feels great seeing your clothes on celebrities, because it’s as if people are recognizing and affirming AU VYDA.

GALO: What’s your favorite piece from your latest collection?

DY: I particularly like the double-collar peplum top. It is edgy, modern, but also plays to all the motifs that I mentioned before.

GALO: Is there a garment in the collection that was the hardest to design?

DY: I have been very lucky, due to my experience at Oscar and other companies as well, because I have had the chance to work with a wide variety of materials, so I don’t really have a particular garment or fabrication that was difficult to design into.

Fall 2014 AU VYDA collection. Photo Credit: AU VYDA.

GALO: Many designers have a specific garment they enjoy fashioning most, such as John Galliano and his love of flamboyant haute couture dresses. Is there a certain type of garment you like creating the most?

DY: I really love sportswear. So, my natural tendencies are to go and design separates first, and then dresses.

GALO: What has the response to the fall 2014 collection been thus far?

DY: People have absolutely fallen in love with the collection. The general response has been that they felt that there was something deeper in the brand, but they don’t know exactly what that is.

GALO: Are you influenced by other designers?

DY: Oscar de la Renta and Chanel. I look to them for flair and drama.

GALO: AU VYDA is internationally housed in Hong Kong, the UK, New York and Paris, while basing its headquarters in Los Angeles. Why L.A. for a headquarters, and are there plans for expansion to other cities?

DY: L.A. is a good location for design, if you have Asian and European markets, because it’s very central. Eventually, I would love to take the brand to Europe.

Fall 2014 AU VYDA collection. Photo Credit: AU VYDA.

GALO: Could you describe your approach to fashion in three words?

DY: Spiritual, organic and structural.

GALO: What can we expect from AU VYDA in spring/summer 2015 and beyond?

DY: AU VYDA SS15 is based on the mythical land of Shangri-La. I traveled there at the beginning of the year and was completely awestruck by the colors and aesthetic. Moving beyond, I have fall aesthetics completed, but all will be based on cultural motifs.

GALO: Where could readers go to check out AU VYDA’s designs for themselves?

DY: We are housed in specialty boutiques and will have an online site ready at the end of fall. We are targeting specific department stores right now across the globe, but if the readers are interested in purchasing the designs, they should go into their favorite boutiques and ask if AU VYDA is carried.

Fall 2014 AU VYDA collection. Photo Credit: AU VYDA.