FEATURE: 20:TWOTHREE F/W ‘12 - OF LONGING AND BELONGING
20:TWOTHREE, a local label started by Jamie and Genevieve, presented their Fall ‘12 collection for the first time at a collective viewing held by Parco Millennia Walk on 8 September.
The idea of the collection stemmed from a discourse on what comfort meant to the designers. They took inspiration from the concept of a home, and of sanctuary. Genevieve explained to me that as humans, we feel comfort and calmest when we’re in the surroundings of our home. In that way, the brand based their collection around the idea that the clothing this season should reflect that as well: comfortable and familiar.
While the label is still very new, I was very impressed by the concept that they chose for their Fall ‘12 collection. The nature of their inspiration could have proven to be very tricky, due to the brevity of thought that the concept would require to best represent it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much these young designers could form out of their inspiration. I realised that it was not about big words and pompous-sounding ideas; no, these girls have got a formula to their brand that is working for them.
Let’s talk about the clothes. There was a right balance of insouciance and minimalist construction in the pieces. Made up mostly of separates, the product mix (albeit a little small for a second collection) was well curated to create an urban wardrobe filled with practical pieces that work as well as they look. A skirt with pleats running down the back could work so well with a pair of towering pumps as it could with a pair of scruffed-up boots. Elsewhere, there was a coat made in ash grey with layers of curved flaps behind, which I really liked and would get for myself.
Overall, I think this brand is one of the favourites in the current batch of Parco nextNEXT designers. For where the concepts are a potential minefield for more experienced designers, the duo has successfully navigated around each seasonal theme with enough serenity and sureness to achieve a winning look. At the end of the day, you will find that the beauty of 20:TWOTHREE’s pieces lie in their subtle gracefulness, workmanship.
Images courtesy of 20:TWOTHREE.
