Things are heating up for Virgil Abloh, who recently presented his spring/summer 2018 collection for OFF-WHITE at Pitti Uomo in Milan. Temperature was the theme for the collection, complemented by an environmental light installation by artist Jenny Holzer (featuring poems of Dunya Mikhail, Osama Alomar Yousid M. Qasmiyeh, and Omid Shams, and projected onto the façade of the Pitti Palace). Further setting the scene, models walked in the Piazza Pitti to the beat of the Opera di Firenze.
“Pitti is known for his classic menswear and sharp tailoring, so I’m taking that ideology and infusing it for the kids on Prince and Mercer. We’re still designing for the same kid; he just gets elevated every season,” said Abloh. “The clothes are for the youth. The clothes are for older people. I want to see young and old dresses in the remix of classics.”
OFF-WHITE SS18.Courtesy of OFF-WHITE.
With a conceptual attitude and a deconstructive flare, the designer outwardly tests the fashion industry’s conventional methods, opening the collection to new meaning, often aided by descriptive words strewn on the garments. Within the concept of temperature, Abloh questions what’s “hot” or what’s “cool” in fashion today.
Hotter than ever, however, were a few bold looks that held strong: shimmering white pants with a subtle orange streak up the leg, seemingly like a small flame; calf-high lace-up shoes in sunshine-bright yellow; a towel-like blue striped poncho, collected at the waist with an orange “OFF-WHITE” belt; gargantuan plastic bags in a striking orange hue; black blazers, trousers, and wide-arm jackets with small floral detailing; and an array of clear trenches, two-pieces, and jackets for a hot summer ahead.
OFF-WHITE SS18.Courtesy of OFF-WHITE.
OFF-WHITE SS18.Courtesy of OFF-WHITE.
OFF-WHITE SS18.Courtesy of OFF-WHITE.
