16Arlington Fall Winter 2020 Collection. London, 14th February 2020.
A celebration of bodies, of people, of nature and of beauty. Drawing inspiration from the complex work of the late photographer Ren Hang, luxury British brand 16Arlington explores beauty in all its forms with a nod to Hang’s native China prevalent in details throughout the collection. This Valentine’s day and beyond, 16Arlington implores you to love; to give love, to welcome love and to share love.
For Fall Winter 2020, 16Arlington delved deep into the graphic landscapes created in Ren Hang’s work; the intricate way in which he interlaced highly sexual imagery of women’s bodies with a very delicate and sensual overtone to create final photographs admiring and adoring each one of his subjects. Through his work with nature, Hang exposed grotesque and testing scenes which the designers played upon heavily for this season. Ruffled and un-done drapery eludes to bursting, overdone florals, whilst intricate knots within butter-soft leathers and fill coupes add elements of the twisted brutality of the natural world.
16Arlington’s oversized signature collar reappears for Fall Winter 2020 on both mini dresses and structured shirting, sitting alongside sharp tailoring and trench coats with exaggerated sleeves, the collection gently signals the evolution of the 16Arlington woman. The juxtaposition of extremes in Ren Hang’s work comes into play within the collection; long evening gowns in delicate lace are trimmed with marabou feathers and finished with tough leather bodices. Necklines twist and drape, intertwined with necklaces encrusted with Swarovski crystals, the vivid evocation of vines twisting up trees and fighting their way to the light is brought to life.
Bags appear on the runway for the first time; tiny, disproportionate shapes fasten around the waist and hang loose across the body. Mini bags are attached together to from one, whilst elsewhere styles are shrouded in 16Arlington’s signature feather trim.