What went down as the launch of PLĀS Collective's new capsule in New York City

Last Saturday, the experimental concept store Cafe Forgot in New York hosted the exclusive launch of PLĀS Collective's capsule collection, part of their highly anticipated SS25 Mycelia collection. The event attracted a mix of industry insiders, emerging designers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts, all eager to discover how the Milan-based brand is pushing the boundaries of textile experimentation and contemporary aesthetics. The atmosphere buzzed with creativity: the space was transformed to reflect the underground and interconnected world of fungi, the central theme of the collection. Immersive installations, soft lighting effects, and organic materials recreated an evocative environment, reminiscent of the invisible yet vital mycelial networks of natural ecosystems. Enhancing the experience, the launch was accompanied by a visually striking photography campaign directed by Lula Hyers, featuring Jessica Menuck as the protagonist, with makeup by artist Frostie Delite. The campaign images, characterized by an ethereal and surreal aesthetic, perfectly captured the essence of the collection, blending natural elements with a contemporary and conceptual sensibility. After the presentation, guests moved to Time Again Bar, where the afterparty provided an additional space for inspired conversations and creative exchanges, confirming the event as a key moment for New York’s avant-garde scene.

The capsule collection launched in collaboration with Cafe Forgot is part of Mycelia, a collection that explores the potential of fashion as a living and ever-evolving ecosystem. Initially presented at Milan Fashion Week, Mycelia is the result of an ambitious multidisciplinary project involving the Paris-based duo Aléa—a material research lab founded by Miriam Josi and Stella Lee Prowse—and visual artist Gian Marco Porru, who curated the choreography and performative aspect of the Milan presentation. For the New York installation, PLĀS Collective chose to focus on a curated selection of exclusive limited-edition pieces designed specifically for Cafe Forgot, a boutique known for its innovative curatorial approach in the independent fashion scene. Mycelia stands out for its fusion of material research and visual storytelling, exploring new frontiers in fabric manipulation. The garments incorporate elements of mycelium-infused textiles, an experimental technology that utilizes mycelium to create tactile and biologically active surfaces. The dyes are obtained through natural fungal degradation processes, giving the garments a mutable aesthetic that evolves over time. The choice of materials and techniques reflects PLĀS Collective’s desire to push beyond the conventional concept of sustainable fashion, envisioning a future where clothing is not only worn but also interacts with the environment and its wearer.

The New York initiative represents an important step for the brand, which continues to build an international network of collaborations and experimentation. The partnership with Cafe Forgot is no coincidence: the store has long been a reference point for conceptual and artisanal fashion, serving as a platform for emerging designers and niche collections. The event thus strengthened the dialogue between the creative scenes of Milan and New York, creating a bridge between two cities that share a strong inclination toward artistic experimentation. With the launch of the Mycelia capsule, PLĀS Collective reaffirms its identity as an ever-evolving collective, where the boundaries between fashion, art, and science become increasingly blurred. The collection, more than just a set of garments, becomes a manifesto for a new approach to design, where materials live and change, and the concept of luxury is redefined through the lens of research and sustainability.