Aitor Throup Menswear Collection

The highly anticipated ready-to-wear line from artist and experimental designer Aitor Throup has been launched, with the label drafting in Kasabian’s Sergio Pizzorno to model some of the looks. London’s Dover Street Market is first to play host to the New Object Research collection, and has launched an installation of life-sized human mesh sculptures to both celebrate and showcase the range. Royal College of Art graduate Throup has built a reputation for himself owing to his unique vision grounded in the elaboration and extension of the human form. The menswear collection is composed of conceptual clothing and accessories that ride off the back of Throup’s innovative art. Shirts, trousers, jackets, t-shirts, tops, bags and accessories all enunciate the fresh and utilitarian aesthetic which has come to define the designer. Taking a closer look at the collection, Throup opts for a strict palette of black with some white thrown in for dramatic effect. Caps have in-built visors which shroud the face in a manner similar to medieval armour. This is urban armour engineered with the modern city dweller in mind. Just how wearable they’ll turn out to be in everyday life remains to be seen – something tells us that grocery shopping with a somewhat menacing-looking visor is likely to attract unwanted attention from the shop security guard… Meanwhile, bags have multi-way straps which can be worn in various ways across the body for optimum comfort and style. An upside-down skull backpack is a stand out piece, summing up how every item in the line appears to be not exactly as it seems at first glance. This collection preview leaves us with a sense of longing and anticipation in discovering the depth and complexity lurking in the apparel on closer inspection. The New Object Research collection is available from London’s Dover Street Market and select retailers worldwide.