Strength and Vulnerability at Kiko Kostadinov

March 06, 2024

For their FW24 collection, Kiko Kostadinov is all about balance and dichotomy. Showing in Paris, twin sisters and designers Laura and Deanna Fanning play with hard and soft. Regarding their conception of “The Kiko Kostadinov woman,” this collection is meant to exist at the “tipping point of her strength and vulnerability.”

Some looks featured pastels and draped sheer fabrics, others featured stiff, armored silhouettes and earth tones. There’s something that feels vaguely geometric about this season’s work — from graphic distortion to fabric sculpting and anatomical augmentation, the entire collection is a game of the eye. But that doesn’t mean the pieces aren’t wearable. A three-piece denim suit comes out of a collaboration with Levi’s and the debut of the carry-all Mezulari bag is a stylish take on the utilitarian messenger. Kiko Kostadinov sums their work up best: “A variety of desires play out; intact or wounded, tender or aggressive serving as distinct markers of vulnerability within us.”

By Izzy Capulong
Photography by Boris Halas

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Director Boma Iluma
DoP Charlie Owens
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Editor Aicha Cherif
Prod asst Ashley Parcels
2nd Prod asst Kayla Parlante

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Backstage: Rombaut SS25

July 01, 2024

Last week in Paris, ROMBAUT didn't just tread the runway lightly. Their Spring-Summer 2025 collection celebrated the Belgian brand's 10-year anniversary, highlighting its journey from humble beginnings to avant-garde prominence.

The SS25 collection, aptly named “PATH,” encapsulated ROMBAUT's journey through struggle, growth, and enlightenment. Drawing inspiration from Shaolin Kung Fu, the collection balanced body, mind, and spirit, merging Zen Buddhist and Taoist philosophies with physical resilience. This narrative of self-improvement, kindness, and environmental care showcased the brand's unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility and social consciousness.

After a 4-month hiatus in 2023, founder Mats Rombaut returned to a fashion landscape dominated by A.I., violence, and waning religious influence. Yet, amidst these challenges, ROMBAUT found hope and meaning in creating objects that tell stories. View our backstage photos below.