The End Is Near

December 17, 2019

With the end of the world nearing closer and closer each day, Yorgos Lanthimos’ absurdist dystopia, The Lobster, seems to be an impending reality more than ever. In the film, a not-too-distant future depicts a society in which single people must find a partner within 45 days or else be fatally turned into an animal of their choice.

It seems fitting then, that a few creatives based in Milan would use the dark comedy as a jumping-off point for a shoot highlighting fellow Milanese designer M1992. The brand tends to echo these “end is near” sentiments in their S/S '20 collection, incorporating sharp silhouettes and "a deliberate dose of tackiness."

Photos by Dave Masotti
Text by Dalya Benor
Photo Assistants: Gianfranco Maria Lo Sterzo Antonio Andreozzi
Styling + Creative Direction by Patrizia Wilk D’Elia
Makeup by Giuditta Bedetti
Hair Styling by Davide Marrone
Hair Assistant: Valentina Achilli
Models: Lila @ Elite, Kim @ Major, Simone @ Crew + Ili @ Crew

Designing for a world on the brink of collapse must seem nihilistic to some. But for others, the state of an impending natural disaster can be a reference point and a way to use clothing as a platform to get a message across. The designer of the young label, Dorian Stefano Tarantini, was quoted in Vogue as saying, “pollution can act as an aesthetic in this dystopian world.” There is something quite liberating about wearing clothing so precise—according to Tarantini, his razor-sharp tailoring serves as an antidote to millennial apathy.

While Tarantini’s clothing may not be the best gear for surviving the apocalypse, his elegant business suiting and structural silhouettes seem to nod to the costumes in The Lobster, with an edgier, more fashionable spin. Inspired by this parallel, photographer Dave Masotti and stylist Patrizia Wilk D'Elia drew a connection to the film and interpreted its “themes of love, nature and conflict between individuals,” in a cinematically-imagined shoot for the brand, Masotti said.

With models donning sleek pinstripe work shirts with absurdly oversized collars while attempting to “partner up” or turn into an alligator, if their end proves to be fatal, at least they’ll go out in style. Check out the rest of the editorial below.

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Born in the Moroccan town of Tétouan and educated in Paris, Khattabi’s upbringing required him to make sense of how the different influences surrounding him could align. In turn, his designs explore the embedded codes and history of his bicultural background. Total Recall addresses this phenomon by including garments meant to reflect adaptation and transformation. Skirts made of tire covers and motorcyle tarpaulins refashioned into dresses are scattered across the collection, conveying notions of displacement. Blending these elements adds an industrial touch to the pieces while still keeping a sense of movement.

From sweatpants infused with polka dots to nostaglic slogans and banner display, the ensembles symbolize hidden identities and memories. Giving us a glimpse into his own memories, Khattabi's work evokes affection for the past. It's a nod to the interconnectedness of culture and how we interact with its complexitites creatively. View the collection below.