Rochambeau

For those that aren’t already familiar with the work of Rochambeau – named after the French title for Rock-Paper-Scissors – the New York based brand was formed way back in 2007 by a pair of old friends, Joshua Cooper and Laurence Chandler, who shared the mutual desire to break into the fashion industry via menswear. The distinctly original brand has accumulated a mass of critical acclaim, being featured in an array of prestigious industry magazines, as well as being selected by MAC & Milk to debut at New York Fashion Week in 2011, and subsequently presenting at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Rochambeau has built a reputation based around the abstract aesthetics of their designs, as well as the carefully curated layering of the individual pieces – not to mention the dark colour palette that has become their signature. Retaining the futuristic vibe that was present throughout their AW13 collection (which drew comparisons to everything from Jedis to utilitarian workman wear – despite the real inspiration being drawn from Paleolithic cave paintings), the new collection released for SS14 has taken a very different route, being inspired by the vitality and endurance of sportsmen, from football to boxing. There are a few bold injections of colour to mark the change of season, in the shape of luminous yellow harem trousers and dark purple and red stained leggings and vests. The latter, despite resembling futuristically styled tie-dye, is in fact the brand’s own customised bruise print, designed to mark the physical stamina that athletes endure, documenting their ‘tumbles and blows’ as well as their skill. Structure has been leant in the form of padding, which was based upon vintage black and white photographs of sporting greats such as Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson; though on the whole, the collection retains a largely soft, flowing and draping silhouette to fit the season it has been designed for.