WORDS ANNABEL DITCHFIELD
Singaporean fashion house CHARLES & KEITH have released a new collection with BOTH, the Parisian footwear label renowned for its streamlined rubber styles to create a truly unique collaboration. Think chunky rubber soles and a modern-day take on '90s youth culture.
The collection takes inspiration from the ancient Japanese art form known as Kintsugi or ‘golden repair’ which uses gold to mend cracks in broken ceramics, or other materials, and serves as a metaphor to welcome flaws and imperfections. In this way, the collection reminds us that these accessories serve a functional use and should not be disregarded when imperfections start to appear on the surface.
Traditional styles for CHARLES & KEITH, such as '90s loafers and Chelsea boots have been redesigned with gold cracks and metallic toe caps, and embossed with chunky rubber soles typical of styles designed by both.
Sleek '90s-style baguette bags, on the other hand, are given a modern twist with the addition of chunky straps, while bucket bags have been adorned with bold magnetic closures. Removable chains and charms also feature throughout the collection, symbolic of styles from the punk era.
Speaking of the new collaboration, Fredie Stevens, Design Director of CHARLES & KEITH states, ‘The blending of our brands’ sensibilities was very natural. Innovation and experimentation form the backbone of our design ethos, and we have a strong collaborative spirit in our roots, as active players in the global creative circuit. With both’s expertise and one-of-a-kind rubber technique, we tapped on each other’s strengths to push the boundaries on design and translate this material into a contemporary collection we hope our wearers will love.’
