WITH a brand ethos focused on technical construction and perfection, Palmer//Harding stayed true to form with their AW18 collection. The button-down shirt has long been an inspiration for designers Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding. Working from the classic shirt, they deconstruct and reconstruct creating new, innovative garments each time. With the masculine connotations a button-down carries, Palmer//Harding manage to reimagine the shirt to celebrate the female form.
Asymmetry and layering contribute to the majority of the collections aesthetic, as fastenings have been taken off centre and hems flow in all directions. A regular sight of shirts layered on other shirts becomes familiar as the collection progresses. Recognisable details from button-down shirts, such as button plackets and collars allow us to understand the deconstruction process the designers excel at. The collection showcases a range of garments, with various hem lengths and jackets to make the collection extremely accessible.
Fabrics are also an important factor in Palmer//Harding’s AW18 collection, as the designers have chosen to utilise classic shirting materials for a large portion of garments. Woven stripes and checks help to amplify the asymmetry and accentuate the unique garment silhouettes. The addition of sheened silks in rust orange creates juxtaposition between menswear and womenswear, taken further by the wide-leg trousers and boxy overcoats used throughout.
by Todd Burns