Manila’s stylish crop witness the exclusive runway presentation, marking the launch of high-fashion streetwear brand ARCHIVES
The future meets the present as Ellis Co, 21, presented
his debut collection with the idea of déjà vu in mind. Dubbed “Memoirs of the
Future,” the fall 2022 collection marked the coming of his high-fashion
streetwear brand ARCHIVES.
I chose the brand name ARCHIVES because the clothes that I design are timeless and lasting pieces, and in itself, a collection of historical records -- Ellis
Ellis, the brand’s founder and director of design, said.
“I perceive these pieces as the remnants of me as a designer for years to come,
and years after I’m gone.”
Described as a fashion presentation beyond the
traditional runway, the “Memoirs of the Future” show was truly a multisensory
experience envisioned by the young designer. To make this fashion time travel
possible, he worked with director Frank Mamaril to bring his vision come to
life. And on July 27, 2022, Whitespace Manila in Makati City was transformed
into a portal where guests got a glimpse of the future of fashion through
Ellis' designs, with the help of ARCHIVES’ creative director Reika Mayani.
The guiding theme of the collection is Ellis' passion for eco-brutalism, modernity, and Japanese fashion aesthetic. These themes were echoed in the many elements of the event starting with the food. Featuring the culinary works of chef Margarita Fores, Manila’s most fashionable crowd was treated to a modern gastronomic journey as the first part of the ARCHIVES experience. Upon entering the show's venue, guests were instantly transported to the future. Like a scene from a dystopian film, the space was an arena where gray angular structures were complemented with lush greens, offering the perfect set to Ellis' designs.
Opening the show were the musicians from the Manila
String Machine, setting the mood as they performed Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons,
Concerto No. 2, “Summer” III. Presto. The string musician’s performance didn’t
end there. Throughout the show, they played melodies accompanying the
contemporary beats of the music produced by Ellis, another nod to the
future-meets-now theme.
As the fog began to rise, models walked the runway
wearing Ellis’ designs. “Memoirs of the Future” presented a total of 44 looks,
divided into segments for the show. It started with a parade of black, giving a
first look at the designer’s take on unconventional proportions. Outerwear was
reimagined into oversized pieces with obi belts and curved cut lapels—the
designer’s signature touch. Breaking the dark and gloomy display was a white
garb with a flounced hat that was so dramatic it took everyone’s breath away.
Following it was Ellis’ play on neutrals and fall dressing. Classic pairings
like the black dress with a trench coat and puffer coats and cargo-like pants
got a new look with his exploration of structure and silhouettes. Ending the
show was a display of his gray designs making it a true fashion display for the
cool kids of today.
“When I design, I’m very focused on the silhouette, how
the shape looks, how the piece drops on the body, especially, the minor
details,” Ellis said. “Basically, I’m trying to make something that hasn’t been
done yet but is still familiar. I try to find the familiarity in the
unfamiliar.”
Apart from Ellis’ inspiration, what made this collection
unique was his addition of boxing gloves and head gears to some of the pieces.
This is another personal stamp of the designer as prior to becoming a
self-taught architect, music producer, and designer, he also has a background
in boxing.
Another recurring theme in the show is androgyny. Aside
from the clothes, a sense of gender neutrality was also present in the models’
makeup. To achieve that, Ellis worked with makeup artist Gery Penaso. Much like
future humans out of hibernation pods, the female and male models sported an
elevated bedhead look—burgundy eyes, bleached brows, and raw and unpolished
hair with metallic tipped nails completing the whole vibe.
“The collection is very detailed. I want to make sure that
we apply it also to the beauty looks,” Gery said. “It is very rare on the
runway to have nails also done. When they all come down to the runway, they
look very cohesive”
Ending the fashion presentation on a high note were the
electrifying performances by Jalen Davis, popularly known as MDMA or Molly (an
American recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia) while DJ Patty Tiu played the
coolest music for the night crowd.
“There are standards for quality, but when it comes to
creativity, fashion is a medium,” Ellis said. “Whatever you create through
fabric, that’s your own original design. It is just like music and painting,
but your tool is the fabric. Fashion is an art form.”
To stay updated about “Memoirs of the Future,” visit
Archives’ official Instagram page @archives.galerie.
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