(FROM THE ARCHIVE) A Conversation With Designer Edward Buchanan: Is He Fashion’s Best Kept Secret?

Last year, during NYFW SS19, we caught up with Edward Buchanan (@sansovino6), the Milan-based fashion designer and industry veteran. Coming up in the ranks of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Riccardo Tisci, the former Bottega Veneta creative director is one of the very few black designers who has worked steadily between the US and Europe for 25 years, most of the last decade at the helm of his independent knitwear brand SANSOVINO 6. With such an extensive, storied and impressive resume, it’s a wonder Buchanan is not one of our industry’s household names. 

Since recording this episode there have been fall outs with Italian luxury brands Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and most recently Gucci that has spurred much needed industry conversation(s). In this turbulent fashion climate where there’s no escaping the diversity conversation and venerable brands are taking a drumming for insensitive messaging, imaging and lack of representational hiring, we sought out Buchanan who’s been called “the best American label you’ve probably never heard about” by Vogue.com, to weigh in on these among other progressive issues in fashion.