On my radar: Acephala
Every so often a label appears out of nowhere that piques my interest. Acephala is one of them. A four-year-old Polish brand that’s rooted in women’s rights with conceptual inspirations that are more wonky than worthy.
For example, its SS18 collection entitled ‘on how to be creative and not get mad’ championed ‘work wear’ pieces in Japanese denim, virgin wool and anti-crease tech fabrics. Designed to offer modern day wardrobe solutions to fit purposes such as ‘conference call on Skype’, ‘email in bed’ and ‘I need to focus’, they’re beautifully cut with premium fabrics. My 100% virgin wool gingham shirt with exaggerated sleeves is perfect ‘just one meeting today’ attire, with a touch of the Audrey Hepburns about it (if you can imagine Audrey as a 21st century slashie).
Not content with creating this very of-the-moment clothing line, Acephala’s founders Monika Kedziora and Bartek Korzeniowski have their own Warsaw retail outlet. “It’s a hybrid of Acephala flagship store, concept boutique carrying a curated selection of high-end brands, and contemporary art gallery,” says Kedziora. Selling New York label A Detacher, Amsterdam menswear by Delikatessen and shoe concept NUNC, Acephala also organises art and photography exhibitions.
Warsaw is top of my to-visit list if Kedziora’s enthusiasms are anything to go by. “Our shop is based in Powiśle, walking distance to the most extravagant department stores in Warsaw: Vitkac and Mysia 3,” she says. “It’s the most lively and experimental area of the city – people compare it to Williamsburg in New York and Kreuzberg in Berlin. You’ll find dozens of fashion boutiques, concept stores, bookstores and experimental restaurants.”
With Poland’s fashion star on the rise (Polish Vogue launched this year and other notable design names infiltrating the global market include Magda Butrym and MISBHV) it’s a good time to discover Acephala. AW18’s collection, “Daddy’s Girl’ continues the gender studies theme. It translates the idea of ‘masculine’ roles – the biker, the professor, the car mechanic – into female-friendly forms, including oversized lab coats, corduroy tailoring and raw-edged Japanese denim dresses. Look out for it at wolfandbadger.com, Quadrat in Berlin, and acephalafashion.com.
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Acephala SS18 and retail store
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