Creative Commune
Gloria Loves Valentine Founder on Extended Family, Finding Inspiration & Boys in Ugg Boots
Much like hip-hop’s many crews, clans and cliques, London’s creative community thrives on the merging of talented (and in some cases, not-so-talented) individuals to form a collective voice. One of the more notable voices is the burgeoning ‘creative consultancy’ Gloria Loves Valentine. Founded by Daren Montague and Kevin Morosky, the collective’s diverse resume spans clothing, events, publishing and styling – even music, soon to come. With recent work for clients such as S.W.E.A.R (GLV compiled their lookbook), Kevin filled us in on how the group was formed.
Define Gloria Loves Valentine…
Gloria loves Valentine is a gang, but rather than throw up gang signs, we throw up cameras and paintbrushes. We’re a group of young creatives that got very bored with receiving attitude from spoiled rich kids and arse-lickers with no talent. We do what we do because of our love and passion. It’s not for fame or money, it’s just for the love involved.
Where does the name come from?
Gloria and Valentine are my grandparents. They met when my grandmother was 16 in Jamaica and were told to not be together. Rather than separate, they got married and moved to London... How gangster is that? 50 years later, with seven children who grew up to have 13 grandkids and two great grandkids… I’m the oldest of the grandkids. My family might have never happened if my grandparents didn't jump country for their love.
Are there many people involved in GLV?
We roll 14 deep (original members), but have a larger family, community-wise. We count Goldilocks, Frankmusic, Cocknbull kid, Styleslut, Sick-kids and many others that we would label as ‘fam’. We feel like every time we work with someone they are automatically one of us and vice versa.
What role do you play in the collective?
I’m the boss. I’m what Biggie was to Junior Mafia, although all of my team is as talented as me. I’m also what Alfred was to Bruce Wayne. We all support each-other. For instance, I have a book coming out in September. All the creative help in regard to promotion and press are all around me. We take on each other’s projects as if they were our own.
How do you rate London’s current creative scene?
I think there are some amazing talents, like Jeanie Annan Lewin. She’s a talented stylist and a fashion encyclopedia. Seriously, ask her anything. I’m in love with Kate Moross’ drawings. I cant help but gravitate towards that. Joanna Vanderpuije’s collections and designs are amazing. But then there are some overrated ones, who are just shit. They label themselves fashion designers but can’t cut or sew or knit (yup, I am talking about someone in particular). They never push anything forward; they’re just boring.
If you could change something about ‘the scene’, what would it be and why?
Advertisers. Most of the fashion stories are controlled by what “has to be shown”, which is boring. I wanna see new shit. I wanna see fresh ideas. I want old designers to be kept on their toes. Obviously, without such funding, the magazine wouldn’t be around -- but, it might as well as not be, if it’s all just a mass advertising campaign, rather than the creative, inspirational impetus they claim to be.
Tell us about your clothing line…
We started it because we got bored with Henry Holland. That, and it was always in the pipeline. We will attempt to do everything. We have GLV Records coming, a creative studio, and a pub -- one that won’t let boys who wear Ugg boots in. We just take inspiration from everything around us, or that has been dear to us. Next collection includes the Swear shoe collaboration, dresses, fitted caps and some knuckle dusters...
Any common misconceptions people have about GLV?
That we are DJs, or that we just throw parties.
Anything major to look forward to from GLV in 2009 and beyond?
Naomi Harris collaboration, Puma Exhibition, Swear -- and the GLV Records label.
Are you single at the moment?
Kind of. I’m at that warm stage where ‘maybe’ is turning into ‘yes’.
Where do you go to meet prospective lovers?
Nowhere. I like the idea and the truth in bumping into love, so I never look. I wanna trip and fall.
What’s the longest relationship that you’ve ever been in?
Three years. It was also the worst.
Do you prefer long-term relationships or short-term flings?
Long, but my best loves have been short-term flings. So, I guess I’ll go wherever the biggest and strongest love is.
Is it hard to meet hot single people in London?
No. I find it hard to meet issue-free people in London.
~Donald Crunk
Define Gloria Loves Valentine…
Gloria loves Valentine is a gang, but rather than throw up gang signs, we throw up cameras and paintbrushes. We’re a group of young creatives that got very bored with receiving attitude from spoiled rich kids and arse-lickers with no talent. We do what we do because of our love and passion. It’s not for fame or money, it’s just for the love involved.
Where does the name come from?
Gloria and Valentine are my grandparents. They met when my grandmother was 16 in Jamaica and were told to not be together. Rather than separate, they got married and moved to London... How gangster is that? 50 years later, with seven children who grew up to have 13 grandkids and two great grandkids… I’m the oldest of the grandkids. My family might have never happened if my grandparents didn't jump country for their love.
Are there many people involved in GLV?
We roll 14 deep (original members), but have a larger family, community-wise. We count Goldilocks, Frankmusic, Cocknbull kid, Styleslut, Sick-kids and many others that we would label as ‘fam’. We feel like every time we work with someone they are automatically one of us and vice versa.
What role do you play in the collective?
I’m the boss. I’m what Biggie was to Junior Mafia, although all of my team is as talented as me. I’m also what Alfred was to Bruce Wayne. We all support each-other. For instance, I have a book coming out in September. All the creative help in regard to promotion and press are all around me. We take on each other’s projects as if they were our own.
How do you rate London’s current creative scene?
I think there are some amazing talents, like Jeanie Annan Lewin. She’s a talented stylist and a fashion encyclopedia. Seriously, ask her anything. I’m in love with Kate Moross’ drawings. I cant help but gravitate towards that. Joanna Vanderpuije’s collections and designs are amazing. But then there are some overrated ones, who are just shit. They label themselves fashion designers but can’t cut or sew or knit (yup, I am talking about someone in particular). They never push anything forward; they’re just boring.
If you could change something about ‘the scene’, what would it be and why?
Advertisers. Most of the fashion stories are controlled by what “has to be shown”, which is boring. I wanna see new shit. I wanna see fresh ideas. I want old designers to be kept on their toes. Obviously, without such funding, the magazine wouldn’t be around -- but, it might as well as not be, if it’s all just a mass advertising campaign, rather than the creative, inspirational impetus they claim to be.
Tell us about your clothing line…
We started it because we got bored with Henry Holland. That, and it was always in the pipeline. We will attempt to do everything. We have GLV Records coming, a creative studio, and a pub -- one that won’t let boys who wear Ugg boots in. We just take inspiration from everything around us, or that has been dear to us. Next collection includes the Swear shoe collaboration, dresses, fitted caps and some knuckle dusters...
Any common misconceptions people have about GLV?
That we are DJs, or that we just throw parties.
Anything major to look forward to from GLV in 2009 and beyond?
Naomi Harris collaboration, Puma Exhibition, Swear -- and the GLV Records label.
Are you single at the moment?
Kind of. I’m at that warm stage where ‘maybe’ is turning into ‘yes’.
Where do you go to meet prospective lovers?
Nowhere. I like the idea and the truth in bumping into love, so I never look. I wanna trip and fall.
What’s the longest relationship that you’ve ever been in?
Three years. It was also the worst.
Do you prefer long-term relationships or short-term flings?
Long, but my best loves have been short-term flings. So, I guess I’ll go wherever the biggest and strongest love is.
Is it hard to meet hot single people in London?
No. I find it hard to meet issue-free people in London.
~Donald Crunk
