PENELOPE CHARLOTTE             GIBBS DESIGNS

ALPINE CHIC
AUTUMN / WINTER 2019

A PAIR OF SKIS ARE THE ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION TO FREEDOM- WARREN MILLER

A personal and beloved sport of mine, Skiwear is the key element to the collection and is glorified throughout its archive and enhanced into a knitwear collection. Through sampling and experimentation, the collection to array details inspired by traditional skiwear and translated into knitwear. Skiwear is primarily shaped by two distinct influences. The first is practical – retaining warm and ease of movement. The second is economic; skiing has traditionally been a sport for the class of largesse.  Beginning the ninetieth century as skiing introduced itself as a popular and social activity, only the rich could enjoy. The aesthetic of après ski evolved around the glamour of high society. The market level inspired by this will be directed toward high end and premium quality. Sitting beside modern designers such as KENZO, Marques Almedia and knitwear inspiration, Missoni. The attitude to the collection is inspired by Après ski, exciting, fun and free. focusing on iconic 1960-70’sprint influences, the collection arrays colour and vibrancy through stripe/ pattern and print with strong influences from Missoni’s heavily textured collections. An aspect of skiing when you’re good at the sport, is to primarily show off, the idea that the brighter your suit, the more attention you will receive. This statement influences the colourful vibrancy throughout the colour palette and contrast layering. An element of freedom and enjoyment is an aspect within the persona of the collection. The collection is to portray a SPORTY, VIBRANT and FUN collection for a young high level consumer.

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