Designer Profile: The Man Behind Ego Soleil

The most beautiful things can be found in the most unexpected places. Or in the case of Blaine Degannes, from the most surprising people. A former Marine who is comfortable outdoors in plain jeans and a t-shirt, Degannes is a happily married man with an eye for gorgeous women’s apparel. Following seven years of military service, Degannes switched things up to pursue his passion for fashion.

With Ego Soleil, Degannes designs for a modern woman who craves versatile style to complement her unpredictable lifestyle. The 2012 Spring / Summer Collection invites you to deconstruct the familiar, boasting ultra-feminine fabrics and a soft color scheme juxtaposed with bold rope and nylon cord detailing. We can’t wait to see more from Degannes, who is now based right here in San Diego.

Get to know the man behind Ego Soleil in this week’s San Diego Designer Profile

Who is your customer? Who do you design for?

The woman wearing Ego Soleil loves the flexibility in these designs because she works hard and plays hard and often needs versatile designs she can wear from the office into the evening.

How do you describe your fashion sense and designer style?

Me personally, I’m just a jeans and t-shirt guy. I put more emphasis on making beautiful clothes for beautiful women than I put on what I wear.

Must-have Ego Soleil pieces for the San Diego woman? 

We have designed some amazing linen jersey tees.  Some of them feature rope details that are great for the San Diego woman. You can dress them up or down. Rope BK Tank- $135-$195

Where can we shop for Ego Soleil in San Diego?

Vocabulary Boutique- 414 W. Cedar St. Little Italy, San Diego

Favorite high-fashion designers of all time?

Miuccia Prada, Gareth Pugh, Balenciaga, Karl Largerfeld. I like these designers because of their innate ability to stay fashion forward and innovate. They consistently push the limits of designs and are always inspiring. 

Personal style icons? 

Sarah J. Parker, Jackie O, Naomi Campbell.

Favorite runway fashion trends for spring?

On the runway there were a lot of minimal, geometrical and retro styles. Some of my favorites were from Channel and Louis Vuitton with the sweet pastels to the Ruched Bandeaus from Prada. There was lots of yellow too, it’s one of the big colors this season no matter the shade – pastel, banana, custard lemon. Almost all collections had this color.

Vision for the 2012 Spring/Summer Collection? 

A bit of androgyny with subtle references to twenties, forties, and sixties. The patterns are cut into fabrics that present an expression of character, forcing you to sit up and pay attention, to deconstruct the familiar. Design details like rope and nylon cords update feminine fabrications reflecting the wearer’s independence and strength while framing her elegance and grace.

How does your military training affect your current role as a fashion designer?

I am very detail oriented and driven, I won’t accept less than the best. That’s why I am a Marine, because nothing less than the best is acceptable. It’s also why I’m into high fashion. The attention to detail and the time and concepts put into developing each garment. It’s about the best with those designers.

What pieces in your wardrobe do you cherish the most? Any family heirlooms?

My AX hoodie I wear a lot. I don’t have any family heirlooms or things like that.

You’d never, ever leave the house wearing…?

Skinny jeans and corduroys.

Best fashion advice you’ve ever received?

Create your own style.

What was your first job?

I worked for a hardware store in Maryland called Hechinger’s before they closed. I was there for a short time, and then I worked at Six Flags for about two years. 

What was the moment that you knew you wanted and needed to be a fashion designer?

I am very creative and felt like fashion was a platform to express that. When I first saw designers like Balenciaga and Prada I knew what type of clothing I wanted to design.

Why San Diego now? When and why did you move to SoCal?

My wife grew up in San Diego and her family lives here. She wanted to move back to be home. So we moved here in June of 2011. And who doesn’t want to live by the beach?

Daily magazine reads and favorite books?

Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. I also frequent a lot of blogs, like Business of Fashion, Sartoralist and The Starving Creatives.

One fun fact we don’t know about you.

I’m learning to surf.

When you’re not working, where can we find you?

I’m at Seaport Village with my kids, or at the park. I usually spend my free time with my family.

For more information and to view the collection online, visit egosoleil.com

Did you Know: U-T San Diego launched a new Style & Society page. Do you want to be featured in the newspaper? Email all requests to Michelle Guerin via mguerin@discoversd.com