Virgil Abloh's OFF-WHITE SS18 is a statement on fashion awareness
"What’s happening at the time influences what ideas I put forth"
June 16th, 2017
Virgil Abloh has finally unveiled TEMPERATURE its OFF-WHITE SS18 collection inspired by Ray Bradbury's masterpiece, Fahrenheit 451.
In the picturesque setting of Pitti Uomo 92, the designer presented what he himself described as "the most important collection I've ever done" with a strong political character and focused on recent global dynamics. Poems and excerpts from artists like Omid Shams Gakieh and Anna Swir gave birth to the Florentine walls surrounding the walkway as well as works by artist Jenny Holzer who collaborated on the mise-en-scene of the entire event.
Loose trousers, basic shirts, transparent co-ords and waterproof baggy shackles, along with the unusual Off-Court 1's and Off-Court 2's, are just a few of the key pieces of TEMPERATURE, focused on other horizons.
“You know, I’m a fan of fashion first and foremost. And for me, clothes are just clothes at the end of the day. Everyone has a bunch in their closet already.
And we’re showing more. Why show more?
To me, it’s context that makes fashion special. What’s happening at the time influences what ideas I put forth. Current times inspired me to work with someone that had a powerful voice with a particular preciseness. I wanted to engage with an artist that made the right sort of mix. It’s her seniority and her art, her preciseness, her message that she’s been doing her whole career. And it’s my youth-driven, open to no rules (work).
Our work combined can make the show that’ll hopefully further both of our passions and messages”- Virgil Abloh on his collaboration with Jenny Holzer during an interview for Dazed&Confused
In this collection, Abloh puts all his passion into scenes, overstepping the red line that divides art and fashion. Inspirations come not from the street, but from the whole world scene, from the Syrian emergency to the oceans situation, from everyday problems to major emergencies because
"It's not just fashion for fashion's sake"
- Virgil Abloh