behind the scenes
Interview with András Tóth, Fashion Designer USE unused, Budapest.
When did you start creating the USE unused brand?
The brand was started in 2004 when myself, Eszter Fuzes and Attila Godena-Juhasz were completing our degree in Womenswear Design at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest, Hungary.
What were you doing before the days of USE unused?
We were all studying art. We have been always interested in contemporary design and fashion.
What are the key beliefs & philosophies behind the brand?
The philosophy is to create well designed pieces for powerful women but without too strong a sense of domination. The clothes are to complete the womans style, while leaving the character of her as a person alive. From the beginning, our main idea was to create a simple style, which mixes together classical feminine values with contemporary design. However it’s always quite difficult to find the balance when you are aspire to create a clear and uncomplicated style…
What are the main cultural influences from your home country, that come through in your designs?
The ‘uniform’ – given there was forty years of communism in Hungary, during which time there was no fashion design present at all in the country. All you could buy was the same product in every store.
How would you describe the USE unused customer, that you have in mind when creating your collections?
Strong, powerful, ambitious women who are strong yet sexy (but not in a distasteful way).
How many people are there behind the scenes at USE unused?
Basically there are 3 designers taking care of the design, 2 people located in the office taking care of the business end of things, and 2 seamstresses who are producing the sample collections. We have a small workshop / office and we organize all aspects of the business from there.
What’s your most loved local place to spend some spare time?
The pool called ‘Sport’ at Margaret Island. It’s on the river Danube at the middle of the city.
For visitors to Budapest where would you recommend they stay, eat, drink & play…and why?
Stay at the ‘Lanchid19’ design hotel on the cities river side www.lanchid19hotel.hu
Eat and drink at the ‘Babel’ delicate restaurant which is a unique place to try contemporary Hungarian cuisine www.babeldelicate.hu
And for play go to the ‘Holdudvar’ at Margaret Island. It’s an outside club with a friendly atmosphere www.holdudvar.net
What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
Bikram yoga.
How often do you travel and where do you go?
Twice in a year to Paris or to Milan for the fairs.
What’s your dream vacation destination?
New York.
Have you been there yet?
Many times.
What are your top 3 travel tips you want to share with Global Hot Shops?
1. For spring go to Copenhagen, Denmark.
2. For winter go to Cell am See, Austria.
3. And for the summer Florence, Italy.
Behind the scenes
Read how USE unused came to be, in this Global Hot Shops exclusive interview.
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