#IKEAxOffWhite Archives - Voir Fashion https://www.voirfashion.co.uk Tue, 10 Aug 2021 14:57:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6.17 Is Sculptural Fashion Wearable Fashion? https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/is-sculptural-fashion-wearable-fashion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-sculptural-fashion-wearable-fashion Tue, 10 Aug 2021 14:57:24 +0000 https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/?p=34378 From Virgil Abloh’s figures of speech and tags that are apparent in his designs, to the more subtle tailoring of fashion houses like Dior, Givenchy and Azzedine Alaia, sculpture in fashion reveals the more architectural aspect of fashion, reflects symbolism in garments and gives clothes different meanings.

The post Is Sculptural Fashion Wearable Fashion? appeared first on Voir Fashion.

]]> Photo Credit: Ikea X Virgil Abloh

From Virgil Abloh’s figures of speech and tags that are apparent in his designs, to the more subtle tailoring of fashion houses like Dior, Givenchy and Azzedine Alaia, sculpture in fashion reveals the more architectural aspect of fashion, reflects symbolism in garments and gives clothes different meanings.

There are instances where fashion goes beyond the department stores and shows, and becomes wearable art and although sculptural fashion isn’t always worn everyday there are some more wearable styles that are appearing in recent fashion season’s today. For example, the sculptural designs of Demna Gvsalia’s Balenciaga.

Masks

A symbol of an anonymity, a known trope of Margiela along with the iconic tabi ‘hoof’ shoe.

Whether it be for protection, entertainment or even religious ritual the mask is just as theatrical as it is used for disguise.

The enigmatic face covering has inspired designers and artists like Alexander McQueen, Raf Simons and Kanye West.

Pleats

Photo Credit: Iris Van Herpen

Issey Miyake launched a line in 1988 that featured pleats. The light, wrinkle proof garments proved versatile for everyday wear while also having movement and creating a beautiful fluidity.

This unique technology and way of making garments that have influenced the like of Christopher Kane, Jil Sander and Loewe to name a few.

Iris Van Herpen’s 2021 collection also featured that pleats that incorporated pleating in a way that resembled the gills of a mushroom.

Light fabrics and pleated designs can be a great addition to the summer wardrobe. Here are some options:

Tags/Logos

Virgil Abloh acknowledges architecture with his designs, even his tags on his shoes are intentional.

His quotation marks on his garments reflect a naivety and irony. With so much logomania in clothing today and the constant advertisement of brand identity, the clothes are a refreshing take on streetwear. From his colorations with Nike, to his tenant at Louis Vuitton, everything Abloh imagines is with functionality – a modern functionality.

Oversized Coat

This oversized voluminous look is apparent in Vetement designer Demna Gvsalia’s aesthetics. Gvsalia who spent several years working at the Margiela maison often makes reference to this in his oversized proportions.

Words by Hannah Fenelon

The post Is Sculptural Fashion Wearable Fashion? appeared first on Voir Fashion.

]]> Fashion Meets Functionality: The Virgil Abloh x IKEA Collab https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/virgil-abloh-x-ikea/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=virgil-abloh-x-ikea Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voirfashion.co.uk/virgil-abloh-x-ikea/ Off-White founder and IKEA collaborate on a limited-edition collection which introduces high-fashion to furniture design Virgil Abloh is the multi-hyphenate designer that has partnered with Evian on the ‘Make a Rainbow’ water bottle, Nike on ‘The Ten’ range of reconstructed Nike, Air Jordan, and Converse sneakers racking up to $2,000 (£1,554) on the after-market and […]

The post Fashion Meets Functionality: The Virgil Abloh x IKEA Collab appeared first on Voir Fashion.

]]> Off-White founder and IKEA collaborate on a limited-edition collection which introduces high-fashion to furniture design

Virgil Abloh and the IKEA x Virgil Abloh collaboration featuring the
Virgil Abloh and the IKEA x Virgil Abloh collaboration featuring the “Wet Grass” carpet, the “Temporary” wall clocks and the “Sculpture” tote bags

Virgil Abloh is the multi-hyphenate designer that has partnered with Evian on the ‘Make a Rainbow’ water bottle, Nike on ‘The Ten’ range of reconstructed Nike, Air Jordan, and Converse sneakers racking up to $2,000 (£1,554) on the after-market and now, to add to this already impressive list, a 15-piece collection ‘MARKERAD’ with Swedish furniture giant IKEA.

After 2 years of teasers the highly anticipated range dropped 1 November in participating stores including the Croydon and Wembley branches and will sell whilst stock lasts. The overall concept of the collection, as stated by Abloh is taking what is often seen as mundane and giving it a fun, unexpected twist: “The ethos of the collection is to add an artful quality to anonymous objects”. This idea is clearly seen in the way the clock has the word “TEMPORARY” ($29 or £23) written across it to highlight how:

“Time never stands still. You can’t stop it, it’s an endless moment of the present. This white wall clock with a clean design encourages us to reflect about time and what it means”

…definitely not your typical IKEA product description.

Other pieces designed by the Louis Vuitton Artistic Director include the “WET GRASS” rug that is matter-of-fact in both its aesthetic and price-tag, costing only £199. The whole concept of the range was targeted towards millennials, those who are just starting out their lives, specifically those in their: “First phase of adult life, when you start making purchases for your space. Largely people grow up in their parents’ environment. They’ve never had to consider furniture. Then when they’re off on their own and have their own aesthetic, what are their first purchases? I’m interested in thinking about how those purchases are informed.”

The DHL x Vetements collaboration collection and the Balenciaga Croc shoe
The DHL x Vetements collaboration collection and the Balenciaga Croc shoe

Virgil’s inexpensive yet fashionable designs clearly bridge the gaps between designer product and the younger generation, and the cult-followed designer is functioning in-line with other brands. The French brand Vetements has done something similar in turning the mundane into the chic: think of the DHL x Vetements shirt priced at £212 released at SS15 at Fashion Week and Balenciaga’s platform Croc shoe of 2018 which cost £732 and sold out before even hitting stores. Unlike Abloh’s intentionally affordable and “democratically” priced pieces, Balenciaga and Vetements sell at much high-end price points.

As marketing tools, Abloh, Balenciaga and Vetements, clearly are tapping into brands that are familiar to a wider audience, whether an affordable furniture company, a foam shoe brand or a courier. Whilst fashion rejected logos in the past, it is clear that nowadays novelty and nostalgia is all the rage, as depicted in how designers are elevating the ordinary emblems of mass consumerism to reach a completely different audience and demographic that usually has little to do with luxury fashion.

Much like the statement white-on-white clock, the Abloh x IKEA collection is also ‘temporary’, with the rug, clock and the Mona Lisa artwork already selling out. Certain pieces of the stylishly functional range are still available to buy but we wouldn’t count on it.

Words by Hena Sharma

Graphics by Katie Janes

The post Fashion Meets Functionality: The Virgil Abloh x IKEA Collab appeared first on Voir Fashion.

]]>