Ninamounah’s Collection 005
Ninamounah is an Amsterdam-based label headed by creative director and designer Ninamounah Langestraat and brand director Robin Burggraaf, using biological methods to dissect the deeper layers of the cultural mantle found in fashion design. Emphasizing instinctive and experimental strengths that transcend bodily and mental conventions and constructs. Ninamounah is making the unusual usual—transgressing comfort zones in fashion and exploring humans animalistic side.
The second act of Ninamounah's fifth collection continues to transfigure the concept of Metamorphosis following previous conceptual explorations of the intersection between biology and fashion design. Bypassing evolution by synthesizing traits of our animal ancestors and our techno-future. Instinct lead the way, forced by a collective memory between all species.
Meta·mor·pho·sis: a morphological mutation, a time of dramatic change in form and appearance, affecting the core of one's being. After the completed metamorphosis the transformation becomes visible. From larva to cocoon, the organism finally enters its final stage. A time of sexual maturity.
Shapes and proportions carry both robust stillness and fluid movement, like metamorphosing lobster. Adapting to its surroundings, our muse represents an infinite of possibilities. Motor references are visible in office wear, a shirt transforms into a high cut bodysuit. Draped looks are liquified into momentous designs.
Traditional shirting and tailoring comes with an exoskeleton of boning, creating dominant silhouettes and strong shoulders. A layered suit and a sleeveless puffer coat reference a protective shell still in the process of growth. Capturing a freedom of spirit, stereotypical staples are reinterpreted with a luxurious punk attitude. A matching shirt and tie combo paired with a hybrid of a pleated skirt and tailored trousers.
A disfigurement of the artisanal tradition. Pinstripe blues and blacks, herringbone browns and green and grey checks come in pure virgin wool and luxurious silks. Reinterpretations of the label's key pieces, the garments are a natural extension of their archival counterparts. Ninamounah does not aim to reinvent itself drastically every new season, but chooses to slowly grow with time, opting to perfect and reinterpret its own core pieces.
A hybrid of past and future.
PRODUCTION
Made in Amsterdam, Ninamounah is committed to have a positive impact on its production chain. Working closely with local ateliers, they are perfectly equipped to ensure the integrity of both the garments and the teams producing them.
Deadstock garments are heavily reworked and re-tailored into sensual and subversive shapes. By embracing the method of recycling and using materials with a specific user's history for our designs, Ninamounah synthesizes traces of a forlorn past with future realities while pushing fashion into aa
sustainable practice.
Tailoring grows the body strong, motor garments keep the spirit restless
ARTIST COLLABORATION STEF VAN LOOVEREN
Stef Van Looveren (1992) is an Antwerp based multidisciplinary genderfluid artist. They studied Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins, London and Sint Lucas, Antwerp.
Stef Van Looveren's practice translates itself into video installation, photo, sculpture and performance. Van Looveren uses the installations as an attempt to reflect and dismantle the performativity of our human behaviour, primarily within the notion of gender. Playfully mimicking our social conducts along with visual culture, their work moves towards a surreal gesture.
His DPA Bags are modelled on genitalia and are moulded on a diverse range of body types in order to be as inclusive as possible. The bags support their vision that 'sex' should be seen as an interchangeable, wearable accessory, something that the wearer can play around with. Celebrating the distinction between 'sex' and 'gender'.
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