“Andreas bought me Goethe’s ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’ (Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, 1774). It was the first tragic novel, and it caused a sensation – and was one of the factors which led to the Romantic movement. Napoleon took ‘Werther’ on his Egyptian campaign in 1798 – and when he met Goethe in 1808, he told him that he had read the book seven times – he decorated him. It is still a model of literature in the education curriculum across Europe.”
~ Vivienne Westwood
The collection begins here, looking at the “Empire style” of the 19th century: the Napoleonic aesthetic and extravagant opulence of imperial Rome, with references to classical antiquity and military uniforms.
Long sleeves, high collars and draping. Gold metal hardware, shiny leather equestrian accessories and ballet shoes.
Taken on an English farm, among bucolic pastoral landscapes and still lifes: typically romantic scenarios.
Draped Lochcarron of Scotland wool tartan and other tartan prints appear on outerwear, tailored suits, shirts and dresses. Details inspired by military uniforms decorate the jacquard knitwear. The skirts with a bulging shape at the back are created in practical organic cotton drill. Harris Tweed is combined with denim, some tailored pieces feature stripes in earthy tones and the ripped knitwear, together with the “toe” shoes, add to the wild mood of the collection.
Camouflage also appears. The “Rubbish” motif, which highlights consumer waste, is printed on cotton canvas and worn with knitwear. The “Felt Tip” pattern is featured on the jersey pieces and the “Graffiti” artwork on the Cobrax corset and the Double Waistband Foam skirt. The floral and graphic illustrations are created in collaboration with Revere the Residence*.
Draped dresses in flowing jersey feature the ’90s “Salon” print. There are also metallic and deconstructed knitwear, tailored satin suits and brocade velvet corsetry: historical, subverted silhouettes.
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