On the launch of Astrid Andersen’s new line Stel, a presentation held exterior on a pier, The Avenue’s 2002 track “Flip the Web page” was blasting out of the sound system. It was a star-aligned, symbolic second, as a result of the London-trained designer is beginning a brand new chapter in her style life, this time centering the work round herself.
Andersen’s a lot admired namesake menswear model was targeted, colourful, and streetwise. With Stel, she defined in a pre-show interview, “I’ve to sit down comfortably on the middle of it; maybe much more this time as a result of now it’s a girls’s put on model, and it’s really extra about me and my private references.” Stel additionally displays Andersen’s evolution as an individual. After stopping her line, the designer moved again house to Jutland within the North of Denmark and had two youngsters. She’s not the particular person she was again then.
Shifting gears in style isn’t straightforward to do. Manufacturers appear to tackle lives of their very own, and it’s straightforward to be pigeon-holed. Stel breaks with a few of style’s conventions. The label will present in-season, so what’s offered might be obtainable for buy. On the identical time, seasonality is much less necessary within the Stel equation than relevance. Collections might be recognized by quantity (01, 02, and 03 had been proven in Copenhagen), the idea being you can intermingle items throughout “seasons” each in your wardrobe and on the promoting flooring. Andersen sees no want for a nicely thought-out garment to be deserted simply because the calendar pages flip. “The direct translation of stel is physique,” she stated, nevertheless it [refers more to] a foundational construction in a kind of industrial means; it [also describes] a set of collectibles—while you discuss a tea set, you’ll name it a stel. For me, that was fairly an attention-grabbing start line by way of the concept of making each collectibles, but in addition one thing that’s a brand new basis.”
Having fashions pose on scaffolding was fortuitous because it suggests a number of metaphors. There’s building, which pertains to constructing a brand new model, and the notion of help pertains to her perception that garments ought to be just right for you. Stel is, in essence, a form of modular providing, however not one with the angularity of one thing like Legos or stacked Mærsk delivery containers. Motion, company, and empowerment are a part of Andersen’s plan. “Once I discuss in regards to the model, I’ve this tagline: tailoring you can skate in, denim you’ll be able to dance in, shirting you’ll be able to journey in.” Freedom, pleasure, movement.
