Nicola Formichetti recently stopped through Lane Crawford in Hong Kong to launch his “Nicopanda Invasion” Pop-Up shop. Sparing no extravagance, the limited engagement pop-up, which will run through May 31, boasted a vast assortment of Nicopanda customized goods and products. Scattered throughout the Lane Crawford locations, Formichetti’s trademark Nicopanda was seen emblazoned across dressed manikins, full-scale installations and floor to ceiling wall decor. Patrons to the invasion also have access to Moleskin books, iPhone accessories, embellished jewelry, playing cards, customized Mahjong sets, and a range of other unique products, each with their own appropriation of the Nicopanda theme.  Formichetti has also included a taut display of Lady Gaga-inspired headpieces on display.

Photography: Hypebeast

Delightfully eccentric to the point of dressing the likes of Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti pulls inspiration from all over and then some for his designs and styling. Being a formidable and award-winning fashion director and editor, Nicola has already worked with French fashion house, Thierry Mugler, as well as Vogue Hommes Japan and Uniqlo. Additionally, he has presented a strong set of editorial skills as contributor to several fashion publications. Having recently shared his archive of Gaga outfits, as well as his Asian-inspired Nicopanda products and more at his Lane Crawford pop-up store, we were able to sit down with the man from two worlds. A byproduct of both Japanese and Italian culture, we speak with Formichetti about his influences and experiences of the past.

Growing up… I felt as a complete outsider. I lacked in style and so I would dress a bit crazy. When I think about it now, it was kind of useful for the work I do now.

How it was for me back then… it was pretty tough, both mentally and emotionally. I mean, it wasn’t as if I had a bad experience or anything like that, I just felt really lonely because I didn’t know anyone else that was like me.

As for family… I had my brother, but… god, I never even thought about being a Eurasian! I mean I joke about it but… did you know that there’s a Eurasian Facebook society!

When I was living in Japan… the local people would sometimes not even look me in the eyes when I was talking to them. They would go through someone else to talk to me because they thought that I wasn’t Japanese, therefor not able to speak their language. And I’m like, “Umm… I’m talking to you in fluent Japanese!”

It’s hard… but I’m also embracing the fact that I look different. From working for Vogue and Uniqlo in Japan, in a way, I was able to kind of do whatever I wanted – I got to be a bit crazy. If I was fully Japanese… I don’t know… that’s not really accepted in a way, but because I’m half Western, I was a little bit more free to be crazy.

If I stayed in one place like Japan… like if I were to live in Japan for more than 2 to 3 weeks I think I would become more Japanese and I’m a little bit scared of that. That’s why I’m always moving around. Yeah… I’d totally become Japanese because I’ll embrace the whole thing — I’ll watch the TV, read the news, read magazines — I’ll become totally immersed in everything Japanese.

Being half Asian and half Western… could of been a flash in the pan thing. I don’t know, right now it’s all mixed with “I’m quarter this, an eighth that.” Am I the last survivor of half and halfs? Haha… Who do I know that are Eurasians… yeah I know a couple of people… they’re all kind of my age. You never get to think of stuff like that because in Japan, it’s so extreme, and in America it’s so diverse that it’s like, you don’t even think about race.

Having been brought up in both Japan and Rome… I was local to both. I don’t know actually… I guess I don’t have a place. It’s everywhere and nowhere.

Photography: Hypebeast

To celebrate the global launch of the exclusive Lane Crawford and Nicopanda collaborative product, Lane Crawford will host the “NICOPANDA INVASION PARTY” in conjunction with the Nicopanda Pop-Up shop. The limited time shop opens on May 1 and will run through May 31, 2012. The NICOPANDA INVASION PARTY will be hosted by a limited Nicola Formichetti T-shirt signing and exclusive party on May 4 at both the Lane Crawford Canton Road and ifc mall locations in Hong Kong respectively. Further info for the limited engagement can be found through the Lane Crawford Facebook as well as through Weibo with #nicopanda#.

Nicola Formichetti, the creative force behind some of the world’s most influential brands, publications and individuals will personally bring his “Nicola’s” New York City Pop-up experience to the world of Nicopanda – showcasing iconic Lady Gaga archive costumes and debuting a series of worldwide exclusive products in a specially designed pop-up store in the Lane Crawford ifc mall. As an extension to the Nicopanda world, a special collection of worldwide exclusive Lane Crawford x Nicopanda limited edition products will be launched, including the Moleskin Notebook. Straightforward in its construction, the utilitarian journal is the perfect playground for a person’s most private thoughts or million dollar ideas.

Nicola Formichetti is best know as Thierry Mugler’s creative director and Lady Gaga’s stylist, but in a twist of fate, he stepped to the forefront, as he allowed Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg, collectively The Hilton Brothers, to take intimate portraits of him. “The Hilton Brothers: Tyrants + Lederhosen” at the Christopher Henry Gallery in Manhattan fill feature the collaborative effort between the three men in what will certainly be a provocative evening. In addition to the Tyrants + Lederhosen exhibition, the Hilton Brothers have a new book by the same name. The self-described “photo-anthropologists” have packed their artistic travelogue with shots from their globe-trotting travels over the past eight years. Solberg’s 2008 shot of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in his Beijing studio is among the more indelible images in the Tyrants + Lederhosen show and book.

Source: WWD

Dazed Digital presents a behind-the-scenes look at Nicola Formichetti‘s attempt at a virtual fashion show. Formichetti, notably known as Lady Gaga’s stylist, collaborated with multiplayer game company CCP, creating a platform where fashion and the digital world come together. Watch the tedious process of designing clothes for Mugler model Rick Genest’s avatar on a virtual catwalk, an act combining multiple people’s talents. You can also read about the entire process at Dazed Digital.

After the temporary New York City pop-up store, Nicola Formichetti’s frantic expansion has largely been seen as inevitable with his creations gracing the virtual world with an online pop-up on September 28 at 9 p.m. GMT. The highly anticipated shop will be officially called “Nicola’s Pop Up Shop” and will launch along with MUGLER WOMEN’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. To make the launch more exciting, a set of promo shots by Japanese photographer Eisuke Negishi is presented here. The highly stylized range of photos can be viewed through Nicola’s Pop Up Shop as it features Dario, Prince and Nicola himself.

UNIQLO officially announce a special collaboration with designer Nicola Formichetti as the two embark on a presentation of the retailer’s new line. There are no specifics mentioned but an unveiling will take place tomorrow in New York City and we’ll be sure to update a bit more then. Stay tuned for further news and developments as they come!

Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti has certainly garnered a lot of press for his relationship with Lady Gaga, launch of “Zombie Boy” into the world of international modeling, and controversial choice to drop “Thierry” from the French label’s name. Showing no signs of slowing down, Mr. Formichetti has recently unveiled this trailer for his upcoming men’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection to be showcased in a film helmed by artist and fashion photographer Branislav Jankic. Besides some chain-heavy models rocking questionably skimpy Mugler bathing suits, not much of the actual fashion can be glimpsed from the trailer. Nonetheless, images from the full collection as well as the entirety of the film – which have been dubbed “Brothers of Arcadia” – should be released soon.

Non-profit arts and culture organization BOFFO will be presenting the 2nd annual “Building Fashion” event in New York. The event is a celebration of cutting-edge fashion design uniting vibrant architects with acclaimed fashion designers. With the official support of CFDA, BOFFO handpicked fashion designers to showcase their work with a series of retail installations giving them the opportunity to work with architects in their first freestanding retail environment. Offered above is a video featuring designer Nicola Formichetti. Enjoy!