Generous. Jil Sander Pre-Fall 2019

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

There is something incredibly appealing about Lucie and Luke Meier’s pre-fall 2019 collection for Jil Sander. Of course, every Philophile (read: an individual with a maniacal obsession for Phoebe Philo) will note a number of Céline-like moments – take the knitted pants with a matching top, for example. But since Phoebe isn’t designing, and some of us decided to completely disconnect from Hedi Slimane’s Celine, Jil Sander seems to be entering that niche with big steps. What I definitely loved about this collection is its tactility, always so in-demand during the autumn season. Meiers’ simplicity isn’t coldly minimal, but rather soft and fleecy. Whether it’s a coat with a fringed blanket element, a classical pinstripe shirt dress or a voluminous duvet jacket with a hoodie that turns into a collar, Jil Sander has you covered with great outerwear and comfortable daywear. Also, don’t call the clothes ‘over-sized’. “They’re not oversize really,” said Lucie. “They’re generous, friendly volumes; it’s all about comfort, the softness around the body. There are no hard edges.” The cozy feeling was translated into double wools, lightly padded silks, and spongy, natural felts. Accessories haven’t been that good at Jil Sander for a while, too. Their new XXL bags (some, at first sight, looked like made from paper – is it a nod to Raf Simons’s iconic men’s clutches he did for the brand back in 2012?) and leather clogs are so, so good. The Meiers thrive.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Touch. JW Anderson SS19

September 17, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

J.W. Anderson‘s spring-summer 2019 collection is one of those harder to comprehend, sophisticated line-ups. The designer, Jonathan Anderson, “wanted something a bit more bohemian.” He continued backstage of his show, saying that he wanted “a celebration of fashion. Everything with fluidity to it, a patch-worked, somehow“. The complexity of those garments, or rather, the way they were put together, was deeply rooted in the multiple combinations of textures, fabrics, colours and so-called ‘fashion conventions’. Flowing maxi-dresses were styled with white gloves and over-sized t-shirts, while the over-sized shoulders were even bigger than usual, ultimately distorting the proportions. Pin-stripe shirting looked soft and feminine, meanwhile the ‘unfinished’ hems of skirts brought rawness. This collection was also close to Anderson’s work at Loewe – here, we also had a great appreciation for craftsmanship, which tactility you can only truly feel by touch. At a first glance it seemed to me that every element of this collection is somehow ‘in conflict’. But then, taking a second look, made me realise that that’s the essence of J.W. Anderson, as a person, and as a brand. Edgy, even disturbing, gradually becomes beautiful.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Personal. A Détacher AW18

February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Even though ‘intimacy’ seems to be distant among New York-based designers, there’s Mona Kowalska of A Détacher. With her cozy store in Nolita, a growing client base of smart women, and a great sensibility for prints and fabrics, Mona’s presence on the schedule is off-the-radar, but worth taking a look at. This season, the Polish-born designer left behind the idea of references and specfic inspirations. Rather, she focused on her personal style, that has developed into something unique throughout the years of working in fashion. Distorted blazers over beige turtlenecks; crotchet knits styled with floral blouses; very lovely, shaggy cardigans worn casually over a matching in colour dress. While styling plays an important role at A Détacher, it’s the clothes that do the work – I think that’s the essence behind the label.