TAKING place in the intimate space of Dray Walk Gallery, Glass photographer Matt Leeves takes to the backstage for London-based fashion house Band of Outsider’s AW20 presentation. Created in 2004, the cult fashion brand was rebranded in 2015 by Belgian company CLCC, reinventing the fashion house’s image with a newly appointed team, of which included Creative Director Angelo Van Mol. During its presentation, Glass also had the opportunity to meet the Belgian designer to discuss the collection, his greatest inspirations, and the brand’s history.
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Van Mol was certainly not afraid to be honest about the new direction for the brand, telling me this new image was essential, with previous collections to CLCC’s innovation tired and out-dated. Facing a crisis that many cult-brands face when their demographic out-grows them, and a new generation lacks interest, the reinvention has been warmly welcomed by the fashion industry. For this collection, marking five years into CLCC and their take over of Band of Outsiders, Van Mol tells me he took inspiration from his childhood time spent in the Scouts, with a subtle camp-wear influence apparent through its focus on nylon fabrics and cargo, drawstring pieces.
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Photographer: Matt Leeves
Later, Van Mol also talks to me about his position as Oswald Boateng, a Belgian fashion house specialising in tailoring, which has had a clear influence on the collection. Even with its outdoors-wear look, complete with the presentation taking place by two Volkswagen Camper Vans, Van Mol stays true to the brand’s ethos to play on the conventional, with boxy silhouettes and some tailored design.
When asked if utility wear, one of this season’s hottest trends, played a part on the making of the collection, Van Mol was quick to suggest otherwise. Not one to follow the crowd, Band of Outsiders, despite a new team, has managed to continue its status in the fashion world as innovative and an ‘outsider’.
by Emma Hart