AGP Family: XEN

 

I first met Zain aka XEN at the Passenger Outfitters store in Northampton and the store owner Lawrenze (shoutout Lawrenze), introduced us and the rest is history. 

XEN is just one of those crazy talented people that I love being around.  We've known each other for a couple of years now and in that time we've built a strong bond.  He's like the younger brother that I never had and we've managed to collaborate on a couple of projects there will be more on the way.  XEN is a true creative.  He's a maker of things and has developed his skills from scratch and not through any kind of conventional route.  Photographer, artist, clothes-maker, bag-maker, events company owner (The Collective, alongside DJ Jack Bagshaw and artist Sugs), he can do the lot.  It was important that we do this interview with him because he's a key member of the AGP family and thankfully we get time to hang out quite a bit as we live in the same town.  He's got a lot of things in the pipeline at the minute but we're grateful that he took some time out to speak to us.  Once again, we got Sabina to help out with this one to hit up XEN with some questions.

I hope you enjoy this one, keep an eye on XEN, he's going places.

 

SJ:  So XEN, tell us about you and what you do?

I am a creative individual with a passion for art and design in all aspects of life. Currently I’m focussed on three passion projects, the first one being ‘XEN’ a fashion and art brand. Where I up-cycle garments and materials, bringing them to a couture standard, creating unique wearable art pieces. 

The second one is ‘thecollective.’ a multi genre events brand located in Birmingham, where we showcase upcoming DJ’s and artists through a radio residency and putting on live events.

And lastly photography is another way I showcase my love for art in every day life, taking my film camera everywhere I go, capturing the beauty we sometimes miss.

SJ:  What’s your heritage?

XEN: I was born in Yorkshire, England and my heritage is from Gujar Khan, Pakistan. 

SJ: Can you share your creative journey? Did you begin with photography and then transition into upcycling couture, or was it the other way around?

XEN: I feel like everyone’s creative journey starts when they’re born, seeing things around you in your environment and growing within it, it’s impossible not to be influenced, I channeled all of that into creativity luckily and not other things. In secondary school I studied art and photography, that’s where my passion for seeing the art and design in EVERYTHING began.

So technically photography came first, however I’ve never taken photography too serious or in a professional way, as I feel like that’s when it’s possible to stop enjoying it. Even still I’ve finished a film roll or more every week for the past couple of years, but that’s lifestyle based focussing on the events I go to, architecture and capturing all the interesting people I’m around and counter.

I began creating 1of1 fashion pieces when I was 18 in University, being poor throughout my childhood I’ve always wanted hard to buy luxury clothes, so I started altering the clothes I already had by hand sewing on random silver embellishments. Noticing that the craftsmanship and details I added gave it a luxury feel and most importantly it was unique, impossible to see someone else wearing the same thing.

SJ.:  How do you capture humanity's raw, authentic essence through your photography?

XEN: Shooting on film makes a big difference to capturing the raw essence of a moment. I started shooting on film once I noticed I was taking too many pictures on my phone. I wanted something which forced me to take a moment and really pay attention to what I’m capturing as you have to wait for it to be developed to then see the picture. 

Emotion is the main focus of every image I take, whether it’s a portrait of someone, capturing nightlife or interesting architecture. Looking back on the pictures brings back the emotion I or the subject was feeling in that moment.

 

SJ:  What strategies or practices help you consistently push your creative boundaries?

XEN: I’m lucky that I see art in everything, going for a hike and seeing nature as much as possible whilst just living life with good people around me allows me to be inspired and influenced within all my designs, which no direct influence I am influenced by everything.

Being prepared and having short term goals is also very important, it allows you to put a time limit on a creative project. This helps as every creative endeavour is never finished due to you always learning more.

The environment and and our impact on it also play a huge part in my creative process, when creating I only use up-cycled materials.

SJ:  What significant challenges have you faced in your creative journey, and how have they shaped you?

XEN: Not having much money or an investment from anyone has forced me to create beautiful art from up-cycling and using things I can find rather than purchasing new materials and hardware.

Not completing university is another barrier to entry into  the fashion employment industry, however it has required me to be self taught in everything from directing a photoshoot to creating website.

The last important hurdle for any creative is managing your mindset, it can be easy to give up when things aren’t getting a big reaction or the money is low but if it’s truly your passion your determination to prove it to yourself should be the thing pushing you forward, do it for YOU!

SJ: What’s an upcoming project or idea you’re most excited to bring to life?

XEN: Recently I have been creating a collection of unique bags from up-cycled leathers and garments, creating couture level pieces from high quality scrap material. Once I have mad 15/20 I will put a short film together around them, show them at exhibitions and hopefully sell them through an auction process. 

This is a concept I need to vigorously plan in order to get it right, however it is my next big project!

SJ:As a local to Northampton, give us 3 best spots to find fashion / vintage wear?

XEN: Passenger is the best store we have for street wear. Vintage Guru is a great store for vintage garments and miscellaneous items in general, plus it’s opposite an amazing cheese store, that’s a win win.

Lastly I would recommend going to all the shoe factory stores we are blessed with as Northampton is the epicentre for the industry, from Dr Martens to Church’s and many others.

As a bonus I would recommend going to as many charity stores as you can, this is where I have found long lasting material from old, tested garments.

You can find out about XEN and his creative talents on Instagram @xenbyxen and @the.collective.group