Put the Past Behind You

There was an interview a while back, where Raul Lopez relayed something well worth returning to.

When the designer gets ready to go out, he has a goal in mind with what he will wear—

What will make normal people nervous?

This sense of discomfort is just as present in Lopez’s own line, Luar. Lopez, season after season, addresses controversy, creating clothing with aggressive aesthetics and cerebral construction. His attire does not hold back— it is brash, and bold, and bears blinding truth.

We face immense challenges that shape us and change our perspective of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

To move forward in life, we must destroy all preconceived beliefs of who we are and what we think we know, in order to make room for change.

Traveling through topics of gender, socio-political struggles, and personal experience, Luar does not linger on loss or rely on nostalgia— this is fashion focusing on figuring out how to fabricate the future for itself. And for the Fall/Winter season, this sentiment felt stronger than ever before. The Fall/Winter collection, “Pieces of Me”, reminded us that pain can truly be a motivator.

Text by Anna Zanes
Quotes courtesy of Luar

Fashion

Nadia Lee Cohen Celebrates Paris Texas Launch at the Chateau

To celebrate the launch, Cohen and founder and creative director of Paris Texas, Annamaria Brivio hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont pictured below. Arman Naféei entertained guests throughout the evening with a special playlist he curated for the occasion.

Fashion

Dating Olympics

April 23, 2024

In the wake of significant challenges including the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war which has heavily impacted production and logistics, Syndicate continues to innovate by integrating themes of survival, resilience, and the complex emotions involved in modern relationships. The collection features bold, thematic elements such as textual prints derived from real-life break-up phrases embodying the irony and emotional depth of contemporary dating narratives.

Some of the collection prints were created in collaboration with Magalie Heroux — a London-based graphic designer, the "Dating Olympics" collection employs a mix of early 2000s aesthetics with simple, impactful fonts and ironic slogans, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. The use of heat-reactive techniques further enriches the tactile experience, emphasising the warmth and connection that are essential to human interaction.

Text Alex Blake
Photography Vidar Logi
Styling Ira Vasylevska & Magalie Heroux
Casting & Production Andriy Zozulya, Taras Schevchuk
Hair Ruth Javy
Makeup Martina de Rosa
Models Sleeze McQueen, Dylan Proudfoot, Olive Harvey
Assistant Tony Poly

Shot by the Icelandic photographer and frequent Björk collaborator Vidar Logi, who's known for his distinctive style that blends natural landscapes with human elements, the “Dating Olympics” campaign is the perfect visual ode to the creative vision of the Syndicate founders Taras and Iryna.

With this collection, Syndicate not only addresses the hardships faced by many due to the current geopolitical situation but also celebrates the enduring human spirit to love and connect, even in times of adversity. The "Dating Olympics" is more than a fashion statement—it's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of love.