Ephemera

Check out more from the collection below.

Fashion

From Point A to B at TOMBOGO SS22

September 21, 2021

Sitting down a few minutes before the TOMBOGO “Nature is Healing” SS 22 runway show at Spring Studios, It was apparent that the presentation in place would be truly unique. Directly in front stood a structural outline of what almost seemed like a greenhouse/living room hybrid, adorned with a bounty of plants and books. No one could have predicted, however, that within a few minutes, there would be models jetting right in front of my feet on real-life Segways and electric scooters.

But, conceptually, it was brilliant. Los Angeles-based designer Tommy Bogo took his presentation to a thoughtful yet playful level by showcasing his designs in a manner that reflects both the need of utilitarian city-dwellers to get from point A to point B in their busy lives but also their desire to escape the bustle of metropolitan life in creative ways.

Text by Deren Owji
Photos courtesy of TOMBOGO

The collection itself reflects this same duality in its designs. With a vibrant palette and stunning patterns, Bogo navigates the fun in his work-wear-inspired pieces effortlessly. A highlight of the collection was the watering can-shaped handbags in vegan leather, and picnic-like basket weaves. Convertibility was another motif throughout the pieces that beautifully reflected the essence of the show’s concept. Such pieces included convertible cargo pants/shorts, jackets, vests, and lightweight waffle knits.

The show notes elaborate that “‘Nature is Healing’ puts into focus the collective rush to return to normalcy and the ways the world is in a search for healing after the weight and reckonings of the past year… exploring the surreal reality we’re currently in while paying homage to nature with silhouettes that draw inspiration from leaves, trees, and bark, juxtaposed by unconventional and thoughtful materials like recycled synthetic nylons, vegan leather, woven knits, and canvas to create unique pieces.”

See all of the looks from the presentation below.

Fashion

Revamping Eyewear with Spec_ial

September 20, 2021

Aaron Fisher-Cohen, founder and director of creative agency The Bosco, has come forth with a limited edition collection of provocative eyewear, titled Spec_ial. The collection, which was conceived between Edinburgh, UK and New York, focuses on reimagining and elevating eyewear as a whole. With design influences ranging from desert-mirror installations to nightlife and disco balls, the collection consists of two styles made in sustainable microquantities of 200 pairs; each sets the bar high for the future of eyewear design and utility.

The two styles include a co-ed restyling of a classically feminine cat-eye shape with a generously oversized fit designed to highlight and accentuate facial features. The other style, called Seven Round, is a take on a more classic round frame influenced by the dramatic styles of the roaring '20s. All of Spec_ial's frames are entirely crafted from eco-conscious materials, emphasizing the collection's focus on sustainability. In addition, a percentage of the proceeds from collection sales will go directly to local organizations tasked with improving the quality of life of communities with limited access to essential resources. Such organizations include The Door, a New York-based non-profit established with the aim of connecting youth citywide to uplift each other through a stable support network.

Text by Deren Owji
Photos courtesy of Spec_ial

About the collection, founder Fisher-Cohen says, "As sunglasses have become an extension of who I am, I try to discover the worlds where they haven't yet gone. Spec_ial was created to provide the armor that helps you be you, or anyone you want to be."

Shop the collection here.

Fashion

AREA RTW 04 Restricted Softness

September 20, 2021

AREA, known for their decadent garments that graciously lay on people from many walks of life, are back again, this time with their latest ready-to-wear collection that they ingeniously entitled “Restricted Softness.” The juxtaposition in collaboration with the execution makes for a no-brainer as the designer pair, Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszcyzk release this collection with corsetry, leather, and their signature crystal work that instantly makes AREA recognizable.

The campaign shot by Italian photographer, Zoe Natale Manella, exemplifies the complex beauty of each garment by exploring body angles that silhouette each design with intent. Shot in an “inflatable playroom” of darkness, Manella captures AREA for what they embody: confidence melded with a sense of regal sensuality. Over the quarantine, Fogg and Panszcyzk, virtually collaborated with Chinese designer Dingyun Zhang, famously known for his oversized puffers, to create puffer jackets, vests, and even bras and skirts.

Text by: Cassie Jekanoski
Photos by: Zoe Natale Manella

When speaking about the initial inspiration behind this collection, the designers stated, “With modern-day corsetry being celebrated as a reclamation of femininity and confidence, we constructed corset tops and dresses emphasized with lines of crystals in vegan leather and stretch bond suiting,” says Fogg and Panszcyzk. This collection is a true testament to the DNA of AREA and truly taps into the core of these designers.