Xaviar Von Skipler (January 31st) is not your average fashion designer. He has no love for the runway nor for the strange and surreal life of someone in the fast lane. He, however, likes clothes that everyone can wear, and his normal life with his family and friends.
Based in Neopia Central, his brand Xaviar & Co has become a sensation for Neopian women everywhere, and our interviewer, Carroll Hindsen, investigated the phenomenon when chanced upon the young Xaviar in his studio.
Wearing a checkered, collared shirt, a waistcoat, a giant yellow scarf and a black jacket (to lessen the strangeness of his outfit, in his words), readers will be pleased to know that Xaviar is very approachable, and a pleasure to be with. Also, he's as good-looking as in the photos.
Carroll Hindsen: Thank you for accepting this interview, Mr. Skipler. I really appreciate it.
Xaviar V. Skipler: Be thankful the security system doesn't work in daytimes. [chuckles]
CH: Have you always known that you'd be a fashion designer?
XS: It wasn't an instantaneous decision. Once upon a time I wanted to be a doctor and was really good at home medicine. And then I had one of those days where I sat down and asked myself 'Do I really want to do this?'. I didn't make a decision that day.
CH: Then what changed it?
XS: My sister, Jewel. She complains that it's difficult to find an outfit that fits. It isn't very new, because I heard girls in my highschool moan about the same thing. So I wanted to make her something as a birthday present. I looked up books on sewing, on sketching and draping and the works, and I was having fun with it. For the first time. It was awesome. To do something fantastic for women is an awesome feeling.
CH: What is Xaviar & Co about? How does it cater to the market?
XS: Xaviar & Co is a down-to-earth label that specialises in fashionable, comfortable clothing for the various shapes and sizes of women. In short, it's got clothing for every girl in Neopia. We don't sell only one size (and not Size 0, oh Adam, no) and we don't only cater for a particular desirable shape. We got sweet dresses for the small, short girls; flowing, bubbly tops for the curvy, round ones; wacky clothing for the strange and classic accessories for the elegant.
We also try to make our label accessible to everyone. It isn't a high-end boutique, though the shop in the Marketplace does look a lot like one. That's my Mum's money.
CH: I'm interested in what you think about the fashion scene in Neopia nowadays. You talk a lot about women not getting the clothes they want, because their labels only cater to a specific type of woman.
XS: That is a problem. And nobody's fixing it. There's got to be more than one kind of girl on this planet. The fashion scene now is only catering to 1% of the female population, and then there's the 99% who are different and strange and funny and beautiful. They have trouble fitting in the clothes, that's my concern. And about the over-exaggeration of the desired female body? Please, it's beautiful in its own way, I understand, but don't go push it like as if that's the only thing in this world.
CH: You're very new to the fashion scene. How did your sudden popularity affect you, and how did you get there?
XS: Oh, it's very strange, and very surreal, and very otherworldy. If you see your own creations wrapped around comfortably on someone else, and they are happy with it, you'd agree with me.
It was difficult entering the fashion world. I have the ideas and the support, but a lack of experience and the huge, looming presence of a conservative executive.
CH: Do you have a huge, looming executive with you now?
XS: No, thank goodness. Anyway, I promoted my own clothing through my sister, who began to introduce it to her friends, who started to recommend it to their friends. And the cycle goes on. But what got me catapulting was the establishment of my shop, and magazines like yours spotlighting me. Thank you.
CH: Any advice for aspiring fashion designers?
XS: Always remember your audience. They'll be grateful to you for listening to them. And don't get a big head. And never give up.
CH: What's the Xaviar Von Skipler girl?
XS: Artistic, positive, fun, independent, stubborn, wise and comfortable in their own skin.
is a family-owned label dedicated to making clothes for girls in all shapes and sizes. We make fun clothing, and we got clothes for every personality!
