As the growing legacy and design codes of 1017 ALYX 9SM develops, so too does the brand’s intent. Designed by creative director Matthew Williams, the New York based, Italian produced brand is built on the concept of high quality materials – including recycled, reused and regenerated materials across collections – mixed with subversive culture. To inform the development of The Design Studio at Copenhagen Fashion Summit – a new exhibition space for 2019 tailored to tackle the sustainability challenges of fashion’s creative leaders – our Innovation Forum Manager Faith Robinson spoke with Matthew on a research call to appreciate his industry-leading insights around product innovation, design iteration and a more appropriate approach to ‘newness’. On telling stories through design: MW: For ALYX it’s definitely more aesthetically driven. We don’t design new themes in seasons: we evolve and make better the things we do time after time: we iterate. It’s about constantly researching with new material concepts and really trying to bring innovation into our staple of replenishable fabrics and items that we test. 1017 ALYX 9SM Fashion show in Paris On innovation: MW: Dealing with innovation means that brands have to commit to bringing new systems / processes / materials into their arsenal of work. If designers can commit to creating a toolbox like this to frame their work within, it could be easier to drop new ideas into that and to generate more sustainable futures. On newness: MW: The pressure of fashion newness for each season means that proficient new (sustainable) choices never get the chance to get good enough: material development has a long lead time, which is why iteration is key. Copenhagen Fashion Summit is delighted to include Matthew Williams as a member of our esteemed Advisory Board to the Design Studio at the 2019 edition. Learn more about the Design Studio at Copenhagen Fashion Summit – a new exhibition space for 2019 tailored to tackle the sustainability challenges of fashion’s creative leaders.
Menswear Collection Fall Winter 2019