Barbara Alan is a British design duo whom I had the pleasure of meeting during my visits to the Parisian showrooms. The Barbara Alan aesthetic is very modern and forward looking. They are very innovative, using the latest advances in garment production coupled with unconventional pattern cutting and construction to develop luxury and quality collections that are versatile and functional. Sharp tailoring, exquisite fabrics, the lack of stitching and the transformational qualities of each expertly researched and crafted piece are all signatures of the Barbara Alan style.
Each piece is modest upon first glance, yet upon further inspection their true artistry is exposed. Every garment is a work of art that is meant to be prized, loved and endure the test of time. There is also a challenge of gender norms which is apparent throughout a majority of their work. They have chosen the same model, Alice B, for both their men's and women's look book, both of which are in the imagery below.
For their Spring Summer 2017 collection, they are challenging conventional ideas by deconstructing the form of each piece and reducing it to it's essential parts. Through research and experimentation, they have created a collection that is pure in both form and attention to detail. This collection takes a fresh look at size and shape. By mixing extra small, shifting pattern pieces with sharp cuts and boxy, geometric form they have created a modern silhouette. They've used modern techniques on classic style to create a utilitarian wardrobe. This collection sees different cottons mixed together and layered for volume. The base colour is black which is enhanced by optical whites and mixed with plays of transparency with highlights of strong shades of navy blue.
