Disciplines© by Ron Dorff

Ron Dorff Launches a New Limited T-Shirt Edition: DiscipLines©

RON DORFF, the French-Swedish sportswear brand behind the claim “DISCIPLINE IS NOT A DIRTYWORD” is launching a new, limited T-shirt edition carrying the name “DiscipLines.”

The name is explained by the graphic prints themselves based on iconic sports lines from legendary sports disciplines such as tennis, swimming, baseball, lacrosse, and badminton.

The limited edition consists in this first series of 5 different graphic prints in black on white developed by Swedish graphic artist Johan Oxe.

The edition will be launched on rondorff.com as of 15th February and also in select boutiques around the world such as Jeffrey in New York, NK in Stockholm and Club 21 in Singapore.

Additional items in the Spring/Summer 2011 collection include jogging shorts, sweat shirts (with big and small print), briefs, tank tops, and jogging trousers.

See the other Disciplines here.

Photos & text Copyright Ron Dorff, Courtesy Pressing.

Moonchild: E.C.H.O.E.S Debut Collection

Epic Crusade Healing Our Egotic Soul

Brought into this world in 2010 by Pascale Koehl—stylist and head of collections within the brand APRIL77 for 7 years—MOONCHILD is a lunar child.

His head is in the stars but his feet are firmly rooted in the ground.

In a disenchanted world, where unstoppable consumerism has lost all meaning, he invokes magic where it was least expected, at the mysterious crossroads of geography, history, concept and imagination.

MOONCHILD is a merger between postmodern Europe and the Peruvian traditional communities within which all garments are handmade.

Between innovative design and the ancestral knowledge of the Andes Incas.

Between the futuristic vision of a new Odyssey and Native American myths and legends. Both ancient and timeless; aspiring to a fantasized future.

Between Western silhouettes and shapes that are embedded in our collective imagination: like the reinterpretation of the tutelary Poncho figure through the prism of retro-futuristic psychedelic folk.

“Echoes” (FW11-12) is the first chapter in this epic mystical journey. Made entirely from 100% natural Alpaca fiber.

In its quest for the alliance of Beauty and Good, MOONCHILD guarantees respect for the environment and the proper treatment of all animals used for shearing, as well as fair wages and consideration for the rights of all knitters and weavers working hand in hand with the brand.

MOONCHILD works hard to respect and promote the cultural heritage, craft and environment of everyone associated with the brand.

Existential commitments and poetic values that will heal our souls!

Epic Crusade Healing Our Egotic Soul.

See more photos here.

Birth

Moonchild

Photos & text Copyright Moonchild.

Aprill 77 in the Black Hills for Spring/Summer 2011

APRIL77 creates jeans inspired by youth movements and denim history.

All APRIL77 clothes feature a code to download exclusive tracks from artists and bands we love.
Black Hills are the mountain range in South Dakota and Wyoming, USA, which contains some of the highest mountain peaks of North America.

The name originates with the Lakota Native Indians, who called the region Pahá Sápa (literally, ‘Black Hills’) for their dark color.

Although Native Americans inhabited the mountains since 7000 BC, the Lakota took the area from the Cheyenne Native Indians in 1776.

But upon the discovery of gold in 1874, the European Americans moved the Native Indians to reservations.

The menswear collection is modeled by Aussie model, Jethro Cave, son of Aussie musician Nick Cave.

This is the backdrop of the 2011 spring/summer collection of April 77, the denim brand that draws inspiration from youth movements and history.

April77 - Spring Summer 2011 - Jethro Cave and Sophie Willing from April77 on Vimeo.

See more images here.

Photos Copyright April 77.

“Kids in America” according to Freeman T. Porter

Freeman T. Porter—the French streetwear label that regards daily spring/summer 2011.

The theme is “Kids in America” and points to military trends and collegiate life—all with a utilitarian flair!

Founded 1993 in Munich as a tribute to American soldiers, Freeman T. Porter wants to be your biggest ally next winter, whether on the battlefield of daily life or at school!

What I like about the collection is how Freeman T. Porter throws a sexy French spin on the American preppy look.

Rugged jeans are stylized to European tastes by French tailoring.

If you are looking for the American college boy coolness or military roughness, hit the streets like a Kid in America.

See the whole collection here.

Photos Copyright Freeman T. Porter.

Boom Bap—a French Brand that Kicks…

In the world of music, boom bap is a style of hip hop with a hard base drum and a snapping snare.

In menswear, Boom Bap is a self-defined “French kick-ass brand.”

For 2011 spring/summer, Boom Bap has prepared a collection of tees with a popular street vibe inspired by iconic figures and heroes from our childhood.

See the line of tees here.

Photos Copyright Boom Bap.

Façonnable: Le Savoir-Faire

The 2011 Façonnable fall-winter collection designed for men and women travels from the stylish campuses of Ivy League schools to the chic slopes of the Alps.

Along the way they stop off in rugged English lodges and sleek metropolises, picking up inspiration for an impressive line-up designed to meet the sartorial needs of the modern consumer.

Blue Label pulls from four main inspirations: Metropolitan, Campus, Lodge and Megève. Each one offers a unique blend of function and fashion with an emphasis on outerwear.

From there, you’ll find Atelier, refined collections of high quality clothing. Accessories, Jeans and Azur round out the men’s offering.

Steeped in the Cote D’Azur tradition and crafted for discriminating tastes, the fall/winter collection is a master class in timeless style reformulated for today.

Metropolitan: Sleek outerwear for urbane tastes
Designed for the cosmopolitan man on the go, Metropolitan offers smart coverage for the stylish consumer. City landscapes, streamlined silhouettes and dark colors, like charcoal and chocolate, inform this sporty grouping of modern outerwear. Raincoats, parkas and field jackets are given functional aspect thanks to standout details, like transparent, waterproof membrane technology or lightweight quilted linings.

Lodge: Inviting separates that bring comfort and class to weekend wear
Lodge, part of Façonnable’s Blue Label, includes a rich array of hearty, comfortable pieces, like washed cotton jackets, heavy wool shirt/jackets and four-pocket waxed jackets. Colors like loden, army green and rust round out the country-ready collection. Women will also discover a similar outdoorsy bent with plenty of feminine details. Riding pants are lean and paired with an impossibly soft leather coat.

Campus: College staples revisited for the elegant graduate
Collegiate staples. Preppy evergreens. Trad style. Welcome to the youthful world of Campus, part of Façonnable’s Blue Label. In the men’s collection, there are double-faced fabrics in various patterns, reversible down jackets, blazers with contrast nylon sleeves and waxed cotton blousons. The women’s collection, anchored in colors like navy, burgundy and purple, also features preppy classics reformulated for today. Key pieces include a reengineered caban in a contemporary oval shape, a boiled wool pea coat, a double-faced wool duffle with a plaid inset and plenty of sporty separates in traditional pinstripes, navy, burgundy or purple.

Megève: Après ski never felt or looked so good
Part of Blue Label, Megève’s men’s line is chock full of natural colors, wool blends and hefty tweeds. From felted shirts to Shetland wool jackets, Megève epitomizes the spirit of après ski. Women can cuddle up in chunky cable knit sweaters, tailored puffers coats with oversized hoods and luxurious sweater jackets all done in a warm palette of ivory and camel with the occasional pop of red.

Atelier: Elite collections for men of discriminating taste
Defined by the utmost production values, Grey Label is an exquisite representation of classically designed clothes for the contemporary man. Atelier is produced entirely in Europe and uses precious fabrics, like silk and wool blends. There’s a sartorial unlike any other sense that encompasses outerwear, clothing and knits.

Azur: Handsome beach wear for year-round holidays
Azur is Façonnable’s thoughtful collection of well-made, well-designed swim and beachwear. Blending Façonnable’s established trademarks----tailoring, superior fabrications----with first-rate swim technology, Azur guarantee that a garment will not only look good, but last. The use of silicon, washed enzymes and special finishes give the trunks and tees a soft feel with a long shelf life.

Accessories: The crowning touch to any outfit
Each season, Façonnable builds upon its burgeoning accessories collection for men and women. For fall 2011, there’s an enticing array of bags, shoes, hats, gloves and belts designed to complement each of Façonnable’s lines. For example, sporty baseball caps with embroidered crests go perfectly with Campus. While black leather duffle bags fit in with Metropolitan. Rope belts, boiled wool gloves and leather hiking boots round out the men’s offering. Women can enjoy streamlined clutches with striking closures, slouchy hobo bags and skinny belts outfitted with buckles that are similar to those one bags. Burnished leather riding boots and knit caps complete the head-to-toe look.

See a few more illustrations here.

Photos & text 2011 autumn/winter collection, Copyright Façonnable.

Veja—Ecological Accessories

Veja has been working for 5 years in Brazil on an innovative and progressive project creating new agricultural channels and raising crafting standards, whilst respecting both the environment
and human rights.

Last winter, Veja debuted a collection of bags and accessories. The Veja bags and accessories are made with ecological materials.

The lining and canvas are made from organic cotton grown by a co-operative of producers in the Northeast of Brazil. The cotton is grown in the agro ecology method which bans the use of chemicals and pesticides. The leather is tanned with acacia extracts; a natural, non-polluting tannin.

Veja has created a global chain that emphasizes solidarity and the environment ranging from the small producers in Brazil to the European concept stores.

The bags are made of organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon and vegetable-tanned leather. The bags are assembled in an atelier that respects the workers’ rights.

Bags, accessories and trainers are transported by boat from Porto Alegre, Brazil, to Le Havre in France. Upon arrival in Le Havre, they travel in barges along canals to the Parisian suburbs.

Veja has created a partnership for the storage and the deliveries of the bags and trainers with a social association, Atelier Sans Frontieres. The association helps people reintegrate to society through work.

Veja buys organic cotton and wild rubber under fair trade principals, respecting all the partners involved.

In 2003, the two founders of Veja traveled around the world studying sustainable development projects (http://www.justeplanete.org/). In Chinese factories, South-African mines and the Amazon rainforest, they have looked for solutions to the problems of our times: massive deforestation, exhaustion of natural resources, labor exploitation… Veja is the logical result of this adventure.

See the accessories here.

Photos & text Copyright Veja.

VIER5 Knows what You Did Last Summer!

VIER5 (fashion department) is the fashion line of the Paris-based design studio VIER5. The fashion label was created in 2007.

The aim of both this collection and future collections is to make effectively a departure from the notion of a “Brand” or “Label” and to design and develop clothing that looks and feels as if it had been designed by a friend or found somewhere. Design pieces that feel as if they have always been around.

The focus of the current collection is a contemporary view on fashion design and the way to dress today. The theme is:"I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER!"

The importance of this collection is to leave the "traditional way" of an anonymous production for an individual production, which includes unique elements in every piece.

For this collection, we worked with four small manufacturers to realize our ideas; each of them has their own special imprint, which is visible in the collection.

Every piece is unique, hand-made, and includes the idea of a "long living partnership". There is a special collaboration with French designer Michael Maiman for two types of shirts.

Check out the collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Vier5, Courtesy Système D.

Ron Dorff: Discipline is Not a Dirty Word

RON DORFF Paris-Stockholm, the collaboration of a French-Swedish design duo (Swede Claus Lindorff and Frenchman Jérôme Touron) proposes an alternative to over-designed and over-casual sportswear, combining the pure lines of Swedish functionalism with French classicism.

The brand’s leitmotiv “DISCIPLINE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD” gives away not only how the design duo works but also the type of client the brand is aiming to seduce: urban, hardworking men, whether at the gym or in life in general.

For Spring/Summer 2011, the RON DORFF collection continues to revisit great classics of men’s sportswear with a carefully-chosen selection of iconic pieces.

The palette is graphic black, white and grey mélange with minimal detailing.

Reminiscent of the two “O” in RON DORFF, the double discreet black-lacquered eyelets are the only signs of recognition adding a suggestive detail to each piece.

See the collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Ron Dorff.

Svensson’s 1st Shoe

In the beginning of the 1900s shoes where manufactured in the small village of Montegranaro as an extra income to agriculture.

After the Second World War the town was the most famous in Italy for its shoes. The culminating point was when brands like Gucci and Prada moved in.

2010 the town's history is linked with Malmö and SVENSSON when our first shoes are being manufactured here.

The shoe is a replica of a classic Italian welted sport shoe, a 70s sailor's shoe sole combined with a high tennis shoe from the same period.

SVENSSON began taking form during the late 90´s in Möllevången, Malmö, Sweden. It started with basement clubs and concerts but soon developed to other fields of media, communication and visual arts.

SVENSSON MAGAZINE was founded 2002 and edited from a two room apartment.

SVENSSON SHOP opened in 2005 becoming a combination of creative studio, boutique and gallery. The same year the first pair of SVENSSON JEANS originated.

See the whole collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Svensson.

Christophe Lemaire

Whilst working on a wardrobe which articulates rather like an alphabet, he encourages each individual to choose his own style vocabulary, his own basic equipment and moreover his own personal uniform, to be composed according to the time, place and his general temperament.

He suggests a minimalist, ample, comfortable and yet defined silhouette which frees one’s movements and underlines the attracting singularity of individualities who integrated those forms where far beyond and classic Ming together in silence. To simply wear is to savor every moment of its art of tranquility.

To continue along the lines of a discourse centered on style perceived as a strictly personal matter, the concise and carefully structured collection creates multiple and playful combinations based around hybrid pieces which can be infinitely combined together.

The padded modules transcend even the most conventional and sober of kurtas, and the masculine army officer collared shirts structure long skirts of a woman whose sensuality is visible in the smartness of a detail, an accurate association of colors. For men, sleeves with a Chinese volume apply to supple jackets that feel like shirts.

Cotton and silk is found on total look on a jacket, large pants, and an unlined caftan. An inexhaustible palette of a vast range of neutral colours, tinged with a milky shade, Indian pinks, ochre and mossy greens decline skillfully those essential pieces.

Just like Japan’s music or the hot and unfathomed bass of Mick Karn which tampers with traditional Chinese melodies, Christophe Lemaire’s collection maintains equilibrium between discipline and a dreamy sensitivity in order to create confusion allowing unexpected and strange harmonies to escape.

See the full collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Christophe Lemaire, Courtesy Pressing Online.

Surface to Air: Postcards from the Edge

Postcards from the Edge
From American Puritanism to a moral decline.

This season starts with a road trip from Texas down to the Mexican border, with references from movies “From Dusk Till Dawn”, “Thelma and Louise “ and “Paris Texas.“

Further down on our road trip we find an influence from the bad boys and outlaws of the road. Inspired by their pinstripe suits, biker attire, dusty capes & tops in suede leather and linen fabrics; Mexican and Indian influences in sandy hues are used to add heat to the color palette.

With reference again to the film “From dusk till dawn”, we end the trip in this mysterious stripper bar where anything is possible: lavishness crazy, dark, hot, bad and animalistic.

Next, the allure of snake dancers, vampires and go-go dancers lead us in a seductive and glamorous component of the collection. Body conscious dresses in shiny materials with liquid and psychedelic snake prints, structured cut out dresses, transparent knits add the S2A touch of just the right amount of sportswear integrated into a sexy silhouette.

The Code of the Road
The outdoors and the biker’s way of life are the key themes of our SS11 Men’s collection. The basis of the collection remains a timeless men’s wardrobe with revisited classic pieces.

Washed out garments give the worn and sun damaged effect, while leather & suede pieces with intricate stitching provide an edgier appeal. Denim is a large part of the collection this season with all over printed and multi colored denim shirts.

Leather & waxed cotton pants and burn out denims are the perfect addition to the silhouette. Sprayed denims and denim looking fleece jackets that have a bit of a 7O’s vibe, reveal an essence of American sportswear, especially in the pima cotton mix knitwear.

Leather & waxed cotton pants and burn out denims compliment the foldable windbreakers with special engraved detailing in horn as well as outer details on tees and sweatshirts with 90’s influences.

Pastel color jersey tailoring such as suits paired with shorts and detailed mackintosh coats complete the look with a pair of destroyed chinos. Balance meets bandit is the code of the road for spring/summer 2011.

Have a look at the entire men’s collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Surface to Air.

Surface to Air

Surface to Air came of light in the early 00’s. Beginning as a creative agency, the team has branched out into music, film, ready-to-wear, photography, graphic design and strategic planning. Today, each department is developing its own activity within the vision and style of Surface to Air.

By taking this direction, Surface to Air has collaborated with music groups like Justice and Chromeo (music video direction), fashion & luxury brands such as Uniqlo, Louis Vuitton, Loveless, Tsumori Chisato and Issey Miyake (visual communication) and have teamed up to create limited edition collections with world renowned artists (Justice, Norwegian fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo...).

Surface to AirStudio
Prestigious companies, international luxury brands and world renown record labels have often contacted the creative directors at Surface to Air for their expertise in photography, branding, packaging and illustration (Ministère de la Culture, L’Oreal Luxe, P&G, Lacoste, Uniqlo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Tsumori Chisato, Chromeo, Scenario Rock, EMI, Sony…).

This new structure has acted as an extension to the Surface to Air Studio by having a hands-on approach to strategic marketing and distribution (trend analysis, advertisement space…) and allows the execution of each project to have an impacting result from start to finish. This year, we saw the launch of Uniqlo in France.

The duo behind Surface to Air films, are cousins Jérémie Rozan and Martial Schmeltz. By respecting their influences and references, together they have developed a personal aesthetic that is recognizable in their commercials and music videos (Louis Vuitton, Sony, Justice, The Streets, Mignight Juggernauts, Diesel, Scenario Rock…) and remain memorable.

Known for their printed t-shirts and collaborations with graphic designers, and avant-garde consultants, Surface to Air clothing founded its men’s collection in 2004, following with a women’s collection in 2006. Today, the brand Surface to Air has been also successful with their accessories as well as their collection collaborations (Justice, Solve Sundsbo).

Every season, a capsule collection is developed around an influential artist (music, fashion, design). The collection is available at the Surface to Air shops (Paris & Sao Paulo), and in 190 selected stores worldwide (Barney’s, Le Bon Marché, Browns, Park, Le Printemps, Fred Segal, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Colette…).

See more items here.

Photos & text Copyright Surface to Air.

Veja Indigenos by Veja

Veja presents Veja Indigenos. The new style features uncluttered lines and a classic palette of camel, brown, and navy colors.

The look book features characters coming from some of the best independent stores in Europe.

They all met at the Veja studio in Paris last June. We wanted the Indigenos look book to be a tribute to their work and vision. They represent the essence of the Indigenos style.

See more styles here.

Veja — LOOKBOOK INDIGENOS from Veja on Vimeo.

Photos & text Copyright Veja.

Commune de Paris: Hear the Roar Coming from the Street

Commune de Paris 1871 has launched yet another attack. Uproar and smoke. A collection of menswear, lively classic.

Scattered red and blue republican symbols appear on noble fabric of sober colours.

A cabinet of curios, packed with objects created by artists federated around the label (Lili Fleury, Munchausen, Adeline Cacheux), who reinvent the cockade, convert flags, coins and historical engravings, take over cannons, barricades, and furious roosters.

About Commune de Paris
It was a chance encounter between three young Parisians, all active in the world of fashion and graphic arts: Alexandre Maïsetti, Sébastien Lyky and Edouard Launay. What brought them together was a desire to produce and market designs that are like them.

They came up with the idea of creating a new label which would bear the stamp of both variety and coherence, based as it is on marrying a new international concept of art and traditional craftsmanship. Shirts, cushions, illustrators, polo-necks, fans, wall­papers, cashmere knitwear, factory, rings, musicians, shirts, leather...

The meeting of different genres and skills that com­bine to create a certain type of fashion, at once sim­ple, well-made, and even a bit meaningful...

Have a look at more images.

Photos & text Copyright Commune de Paris.

Svensson Sailor Coat by Armor Lux

The first heritage SVENSSON collaboration has seen day light. Armor Lux is a French brand from 1938 known for its striped sailor's sweaters worn by everyone from Picasso to Madonna. We’ve let them do their classic reefer jacket, which is still made according to the artisanship in Bretagne, France.

The reefer jacket has been a part of the French sailor's uniform since 1853. It was originally made by the sailors themselves whom, in those days, made them waterproof with tar, grease, and turpentine.

On sale only in our Malmö shops and webshop.

“The back ground is that we wanted to do the classic sailor coat for a long time and thought it would be great to go to an original manufacturer for the best craftsmanship and finish,” writes Mariano Leone of Svensson.

“The model was already very SVENSSON in itself: very clean, minimalistic, and timeless, so we took it as it was.”

Photo Copyright Svensson.

Important Update from Article 23

Paris, September 1st 2010 - For about 4 years now, Article 23 has shaped esthetics, ethical and organic creations.

Far from being an opportunist fad, these values added have always driven the product development, from sketch to materialization in shops, result of a meticulous collaboration with our workshops through stitchers training, careful selection of best fabrics, reshape of models and process of exclusive weavings.

“Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring to himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity.” Characteristics of our economic and social involvement—this ideal is the heart that makes our brand beat. Ideal of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—embodied by our brand name itself.

Proud of projects that have come through and talents who grew within the brand, Article 23 transforms now. Moved by the same values linking original creations and human commitments, Article 23 will become in 2011 a fashion accessories brand (jewels, bags, scarves, etc.). We will be delighted to come back to you very soon to introduce the evolution of our initial project.

The new range will benefit from increased visibility and dynamism thanks to the online store and the blog planned for October 2010. The blog will detail our actions and give a deep insight on Article 23 new universe to discover who we are, what inspires and grips us…

Have a peek at the lookbook here.

Photos & text Copyright Article 23.

The White Runes Black Flags Collection: April 77

A/W 10-11 season sounds like a return to basics for APRIL77.

Whispered by a mysterious runic text, the WHITE RUNES BLACK FLAGS collection takes place somewhere between the Nordic mythology and the occult folklore.

Washes –raw black denim, used black denim, raw blue—are references to Nature, authentic and uncontrollable: rub your jean on a tree bank and you will get the Stomp, polish your black coated denim and you will have the Warsaw, or find the Gene, a homemade rinsed indigo.

Joey and Dictator, the 2 cults jeans of APRIL77, remain in this new collection, and the new hit comes with the Ride, a tapered fit.

The Runic alphabet, graphic thread, set up the mystical genesis of this FW 10-11 collection.

Back to basics. Back to nature.

Born 8 years ago, April77 went through the years bringing each season a large choice of styles, becoming a cult for its famous androgynous jeans. Inspired by youth movements and counterculture that give APRIL77 its DNA, the brand always evolves offering its iconoclast vision of fashion.

Nowadays, APRIL77 decided to refocus on its strengths. : DENIM & MUSIC Back to basics with WHITE RUNES – BLACK FLAGS, a FW10-11 collection focused on jeans and close to nature, the cloth is more than ever MUSIC.

DENIM & MUSIC concept brings you regularly new artists to discover with a unique download code on each item of APRIL77 collections.

To go with this evolution, a new website has been launched , with connections to web 2.0 plateforms such as Facebook and Twitter, where you can easily follow April77’s last updates.

Dance Tonight, Revolution Tomorrow

See the lookbook here.

Photo Copyright April 77.

Veja Autumn/Winter Collection “Look Around!”

Look Around!*

*The word “veja” means ‘look!’ in Brazil; so for this autumn/winter season, Veja is looking around as it deepens cooperation with co-operatives of small producers throughout Brazil.

Created 2004 in Paris, France, by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, Veja also continues to change the rules with respect to the environment, human rights, and fair trade.

Veja purchases organic cotton at twice the market price from a co-op of 200 families in Northeast Brazil who base their livelihood on cotton farming with no chemicals or fertilizers.

The rubber is purchased from another co-operative of Seringueiros (‘rubber trapper’) in Acre, in the heart of the Amazon, where rubber trees grow in the wild!

The Seringueiros tap the tree bark so that the latex, a white liquid, is collected in a container.

I have posted the entire Veja press release, which reads like a treatise in ethical principles.

Can’t find a sustainable menswear label? Just look around—Veja!

See more images here.

Photo & slideshow 2010 a/w collection “Look Around!” Copyright Veja.

Exploing “the Silk Road” with Paul & Joe

As I mentioned in a previous article, Paul & Joe is a label that French designer Sophie Albou named after her two sons.

Sophie was born 1967 in Paris of a Tunisian mother and of a father also from North African descent who, together, operated a shirt-making company.

Sophie launched Paul & Joe exclusively as a menswear label in 1995, after having studied at the Sorbonne and the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris.

Flora- and fauna-inspired, this exquisite French designer has released her 2010 autumn/winter collection, which is entitled “the Silk Road”:

The spirit of the 2010 autumn/winter collection of Paul & Joe is “the Silk Road.”

From April 1931-February 1932, Citroën promoted the 1st expedition to open the Silk Road to cars, entailing 30,000 km from Beirut to Beijing via Turkestan, Afghanistan, Xinjiang, and the Gobi Desert.
Twenty-five people took part in the endeavor, among whom were painters, writers, photographers, archeologists, and geologists.

The objective was to abolish all borders, whether geographic, cultural, or political.

The collection is rich in velvet, cashmere, and silk with an assortment of ethnic prints—mixed and matched with a splash of color!

One key silhouette is drawn from the city, such as straight coats with fur scarves, short-fitted jackets with Jodhpur pants, and tropical wool suits.

Secondly, the collection abounds in sportswear: jacquard shawl jumpers and velvet pants, printed shirts with a hooded wool jacket and jersey pants, nylon jackets with jacquard jumper and jacquard accessories.

Ties are still narrow and the silhouette is still sleek!

Photo 2010 autumn/winter collection “the Silk Road,” Copyright Paul & Joe.