Within the okoumé wood-clad walls of Salle Cortot, a concert hall designed by Auguste Perret in 1926, Julie Kegels unveils her FW25 Collection. The venue, known for its architectural beauty and historical significance, perfectly complements Kegels’ latest designs, where each garment transforms into a piece of the venue, orchestrating a presence that resonates with the echoes of the space itself.
Drawing inspiration from the concept that in the corporate world, attire often reflects one’s status and authority, Kegels explores the power of the ’80s power suit, the architecture of authority within corporate culture. Her collection probes the idea that if interior design can stage the illusion of success, perhaps fashion, in its emulation of these forms and textures, reveals deeper layers of personal and professional identity.
Kegels’ designs are a bold reinterpretation of office aesthetics; deconstructed couches transform into avant-garde skirts, while iconic chairs emerge as intricate prints on flowing fabrics. Pumpkin cushions are reimagined as tops, handbags, and even hair accessories. This collection blurs the lines between furniture and fashion, with elements like waistbands detaching from trousers to redefine shirts, and stainless steel accents merging with soft jersey fabrics to create statement outerwear pieces.
The collection also addresses sustainability, a buzzword now inseparable from contemporary fashion, by integrating upcycled materials that add both an ethical dimension and a textural contrast to the garments. Kegels crafts a narrative where fashion not only mimics but also morphs with its surroundings, challenging the conventions of utility and wearability.
Adding a layer of casual sophistication, Kegels incorporates knitwear into the collection. Striped roll-necks and Fair Isle sweaters create the ideal leisure ensemble, complemented by sheer tights. The reintroduction of thong socks, styled in a classic Converse manner, adds a playful yet comfortable twist to the collection.
Concluding the show is a deceptively simple pant-shirt-sweater combo, unified by a single decisive zipper. This final look epitomizes the collection’s theme: “Dress Code” by Julie Kegels not only redefines the art of dressing but also enhances the wearer’s sense of presence. It underscores the notion that true success is as much about the ease of utility as it is about the aesthetics of power. In Kegels’ world, clothing is not just worn but experienced, urging us to let the structures around us serve us, rather than the other way around.
