Joseph Abboud On What Drove Him To Become A Top Fashion Designer and His Love For The Boston Celtics…

Joseph Abboud: None that I think people would be surprised about. I love interior design, I love shopping for antiques. On a personal level, I still try to play squash three times a week, which is kind of like playing chess only you’re moving. It’s a really fun game. My weeks fill out fast. When I can, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family, my two daughters. They’re a great joy for me when I can do that. As you know, the biggest crime is the time we have to do what we want to do.

I was just reading an article about Pierre Cardin turning 95… He’s a fascinating character. I had the opportunity to meet him three or four times over the course of my career. We did a show together in Tokyo. Fascinating guy, but I’m thinking, “Talk about longevity.” A guy who’s 95 still creating. I just sort of admire that and hope I have that kind of time to do that.

We have talked about longevity, but you have also had a few successful exits from companies. Are there any long-term goals that you are working towards?

Joseph Abboud: I think if you create a brand, you always want the brand to go beyond you. Good brands have DNA. I worked for Chanel for two years. I was in Paris… They keep Coco Chanel’s apartment above L’Atalier as if she still lives there. Her presence is felt in that brand every day. That’s the greatest tribute anybody can pay to an individual and she certainly was an incredibly-talented woman, certainly deserved that. You always want to think that if you can leave a brand and leave a legacy… I don’t always think about retiring, I don’t think you can retire from creativity. I’m just going to do it as long as I feel happy and creative and fulfilled. I certainly would love to leave a brand that people recognize.

You’re too young to be talking in terms of those finite terms.

Joseph Abboud: You do start to think about your body of work sometimes, right? You think about the cycles, the ups and the downs. I think what it did for me is really highlight the passion I have for it. I think I’m better at it today than I’ve ever been. That sounds egocentric, and I don’t mean it to be, but I have the confidence… The creative process is a lot like being Sherlock Holmes where you do a lot. You really have to solve problems for the way people live and how they dress. I’m sitting in my factory at 6:30 [P.M.], I’m the only one here in the design studio and I’m working on Fall ’18. I’m working with a bottle of Peach Snapple, I couldn’t be happier. I’m working through it, sort of intellectualizing what they’re gonna be. I love the touch and feel of the fabrics and I love being here at the factory in New Bedford. What we do on a daily basis isn’t all that glamorous. We build products, we put it together, but I’m as happy in this room in New Bedford as I am in any glamorous party or awards event. This is really where I get my creative juices from.

In closing, any last words for the kids?

Joseph Abboud: Yeah, I’ve taught a course at FIT, Parsons and Fordham Business School. It’s called “The Business Of Creativity.” I think you have to follow your instincts and follow your dreams, but be smart about it. Be intelligent. In the world of design, especially if you’re designing commercially, you can’t just be artistic, you have to be intelligent. Intellect plays a big part in how to make new collections and new ideas, so it’s not just painting pretty pictures. Otherwise just go be an artist and paint on canvas. I always say, “Follow your dreams and your instincts and be true to yourself.” Many of them make it and unfortunately some of them don’t due to circumstances that make it more difficult.