In a captivating presentation at Pigalle’s new production site in the gritty, multicultural district in Paris’ north that it was named after, designer Stéphane Ashpool first hosted a cocktail in the space where prototypes are tested and made. Bunches of patterns hung from the ceiling, above a brown-tinted lagoon where all the dyeing takes place. In the centre were four dyeing vats heated by tea lights. There was also a paper mock-up of a parka on a mannequin.
A bell tinkled and guests passed through a red velvet door into a theater space. The curtains parted to reveal a man wielding a pair of scissors. He was dressed in a boxy white felt coat, hat and pants. Soon after came a loose waistcoat made from cream jacket interfacing, worn with soft ribbed pants.
The collection then plunged into rich color — forest green, maroon, gold and mustard — often employed as blocks on sportswear. Highlights included fun dungarees and an orange Neoprene jacket edged with rainbow bands.
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There were some lovely moments in this melting-pot collection. At times, all the patching, offbeat color combos and shine felt overcomplicated and flirted wth gaudy, like with the maroon jacket swinging with tassels and a puffer in bronze and gold.
Chalk it up to growing pains. This brand may be rooted in local street culture, but it’s going places.