The classical game of chess is a board game that can be found in millions of homes across the globe, and it is an important entertainment element at any garden party. In this collection, checkered patterns are part of every look; easily recognisable on both jackets, trousers, scarves and gloves. Some outfits use the checkered pattern more prominently than others, and worth mentioning is the use of a real chess board as the whole of the upper part of an outfit. There is a nice balance between coloured fabrics and prints, and the colour white is combined with both red, pine green and black. Also inspired by the typical household is the yellow opera gloves, similar to yellow rubber gloves used for dishes.
Inspiration for the collection comes from radical female artists such as Claude Cahun, Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning, who all created surreal art. A surreal element of this collection is the extensive - bordering on overuse, of gloves and sleeves. As well as their traditional use being fulfilled, gloves and sleeves are also given another purpose as decorative belts and important design elements in the looks. Other elements deriving from the rebelliousness of the artists include details like the loose-fitted collars, lavender filled teabags turned into earrings, and their use of cut-open pearl chains. For their collaboration with Eastpak, they have also created travel items including shoulder bags, backpacks and wheeled luggage. All of these are inspired by existing pieces, but with their own rebellious twists.
Mylar prints decorate formal suit jackets and rougher denim, while an entire outfit is produced from kraft paper. Leather jackets, silk, satin dresses and a hoodie all tell their own different story, but they come together in their shared quirkiness. And a cobnet as the main piece of clothing contributes to the next level of edginess in the collection.
Images Courtesy of MM6 Maison Margiela
Collages by Silje Kvam
