AW26 TITAN: London Fashion Week

AW26 DESIGNERS NOTES

Mythology and mysticism has proven to be a powerful, recurring tool during the development of my artisanal collections. The parallels and connections between modern global events, my own experiences, and historical texts somehow allow me to find deeper meaning in all of it; keeping me as excited as I was when I started my journey as an eco-conscious craftsman over 15 years ago.

Titans in Greek mythology represent huge, primitive, and hard-to-control forces.
They were giant, immortal deities and considered the first generational gods born
from the primordial gods. They symbolize a spirit of anarchy and rebellion against the authority of
the corrupt gods, as in the story of the Titan Prometheus, who helped human beings
against Zeus’s will. This set a bold undertone in terms of inspiration for the AW26 TITAN collection, which gives a strong nod to armor and the human condition in battle. I would say this was most aptly expressed through our newest offering and signature piece of the season- the Armor Chest-Plate. Expressing the idea that clothing is a means of protection in a hostile world. My eco design DNA potently seeps through my new collection this season from start to finish as usual; from incorporating experimental leathercraft techniques such as the inverted slash pleat, extensive hardware embellishing as a nod to punk, chromatic silvers paying tribute to futurism, distressed and studded denim, metallic jacquard textiles mimicking hand painting which touch base with my roots as an upcycling creative. The final looks, “The Artery Jacket and Gown,” were produced from deadstock couture textiles which were handcut and handsewn into the tulle base garments. It may sound macabre but when I was designing those pieces it almost reminded me of an anatomy chart, showing the nerves, muscles, and veins on the human body.

Our London Fashion Week AW26 Titan dual campaign launch was shot in two parts, with two teams, and in two global fashion destinations; Paris and London. I was inspired by rough exteriors; construction sites, industrial backdrops, chromatic tones, decrepit doorways. Having lived in these two incredible cities off/on since 2020, I wanted to showcase, especially during what many think is a glamorous time in the year, a dose of reality. The backdrops serving as a metaphor for being a creative in a noisy world. I have always found beauty and inspiration in the alternative, the unassuming, and the underground. What most attempt to avoid to remain comfortable, I do the exact opposite it seems. Alchemizing adversity into resilience; later telling my stories of overcoming obstacles through design. At its core, this collection is simply the story about fighting for what you believe in, stopping at nothing until you achieve it. As one of my favorite authors, Paulo Cohelo once wrote, “The story of one man is the story of all.” Fashion to me is about sharing my craft, process, and thought process with others in a collaborative forum, one way or another. It’s unifying in a divided world we live in presently. As I launch, I just wanted to thank both of my teams in these cities who helped me make this vision a reality.

AW26 TITAN: PARIS CAMPAIGN