Tangible Form. Quira AW22

Veronica Leoni follows an instinctual approach to design. Her way with fashion is thoughtfully raw, direct and soulful – spontaneity is her signature. Quira, the Milan-based label, is Leoni’s solo endeavor, named after her seamstress grandmother, Quirina. The spontaneous urge of the project is sealed with a family tie, and a sentimental value is woven to the background. Quirina was the reason why Veronica Leoni’s path started. The brand captures that ever-present idea into tangible form. The autumn-winter 2022 line-up – Quira’s second collection – is lensed by Paul Kooiker and features the amazing Guinevere Van Seenus. Voluminous cocoon dresses worn over slouchy pants; thick knits in bold colours and fluffy textures you want to touch and feel; flowing, light pleats contrasted with chunky clogs (or rubber boots); draped capes layered on top of masculine tailoring and crisp cotton shirts. That’s a lot to love. But this isn’t the first time you see Leoni’s hand in fashion. Two work experiences fine tuned the designer’s aesthetic sense: first she acted as head designer of knitwear at Jil Sander, under Sander herself. After that, Leoni was head of pre-collection at Céline for four years under Phoebe Philo (well, now we know why Quira feels so good). Today she is the creative director of womenswear at 2 Moncler 1952. Milan is gradually becoming a hub for new-gen designers, and Quira is a very promising addittion!

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

NET-A-PORTER Limited

Vibrant Vibes. The Elder Statesman AW22

Happy Easter! Here’s a beautiful treat: The Elder Statesman‘s vibrant autumn-winter 2022 look-book. This season, Los Angeles-based label’s creative director, Bailey Hunter, rang up her friends in Jamaica and gave them the keys to the castle. In collaboration with Savannah Baker, the collection’s photos and film were shot around Portland, Jamaica, and include jacquards and intarsias created by Baker’s niece, the British-Jamaican artist Kione Grandison. Good vibes abound. With each year, founder Greg Chait reports business going better and better and better, and with each season the brand opens the door to new ideas and techniques. Coats are made from an Italian woven hand whipstitched in Los Angeles. Post-consumer recycled-cashmere button-downs are hand dyed in the brand’s expansive L.A. H.Q. A new corduroy program, made from Italian cashmere, brings the label beyond sweaters and into one-of-a-kind tie-dye separates. Elsewhere the dyes have no ties at all – and there is experimentation in new ways to create print and texture on the sweaters. Even the abstracted checkerboard patterns and amoeba-like dyes – both executed in previous seasons – feel new and exciting. And that’s a big statement for a mostly knitwear brand.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

NET-A-PORTER Limited