The word “banality” is not one that a designer would normally want to be used when describing a new collection, but it is this phrase that the Acne Studios Creative Director Jonny Johansson has cited as a source of inspiration for the new season. Except, of course this is banality with a twist.
For autumn 2015 the brand has taken pieces that men feel comfortable in (this is where the banality comes in) and turned them on their head. Classic menswear pieces like donkey jackets and coats were made over with super exaggerated silhouettes and clever new fabrications, especially where traditional wool and tweed was mixed with modern sportswear fabrics such as nylon and fleece. These contrasts bridged a gap between tailoring and street wear, which is exactly what Acne Studios, excels at. The collection also had a serious message behind it, exploring what it means to be a man in the twenty first century. It is heartwarming to see that Acne boys are in touch with their feminine side and are supporters of the fairer sex, with scarves sporting slogans like “Gender equality” and “Women power.”