Second nature: sharp silhouettes and sculptural still lifes collide in Jaeha’s latest collection
Having studied under famed Central Saint Martins professor Louise Wilson OBE and trained at Mary Katrantzou, designer Jae Kim was well primed for an intellectual approach to design. Having launched his own Jaeha brand in 2014, the Korean-born, London-based designer’s intriguing new lookbook sees his A/W 2017 collection unfurl in an array of architectural looks and sculptural still life shots. Captured by photographer Janneke Van Der Hagen and styled by Alex Carl, the powerful new Jaeha silhouette is presented against beautiful and almost alien plant life and mineral forms, while Janina Pedan conceived the set design.
Kim describes the 1980s-inspired off-kilter finish of his shapes as a kind of ‘refined awkwardness’. ‘It’s about making unexpected adjustments to familiar forms,’ he says. ‘To stand out, our woman makes adjustments in her wardrobe that might look accidental and appear awkward but are actually anything but.’ Such awkwardness is achieved by clashing heavy herringbone tweeds with patent pig skin and with unusually placed twisted seams, mid-calf ruching on a pair of trousers and a little bit too much sleeve.
Jaeha’s A/W 2017 collection is presented alongside correlative organic forms
The result is layering of an architectural kind, as stylist Carl explains: ‘The idea was to build the pieces around the body as sculptures – all inspired by feminine and empowering shapes. They’re very organic, not hard; the fabrics are incredible on the body.’ It was this fluid and organic nature that inspired Van Der Hagen to mirror each striking pose and shape with a corresponding still life arrangement. From fragile poppies redolent of an Irving Penn photograph to the heavy, bulbous traps of a monkey cup plant, each object reflects the hang or drape of the ensemble overleaf in a subtle, yet playful, manner.
‘The still life objects were chosen with the clothes in mind. There were certain shapes that I wanted to emphasise,’ explains Pedan, who worked to establish a biological connection between both plants, the human body and clothing. The images, and the relationship between the creative team who produced them, flourish together in fine form.
Information
For more information, visit the Jaeha website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Now you can admire every Versace catwalk look from your bookshelf
Dive into this Versace-celebrating book, which amasses more than 40 years of fashion shows and 1,200 catwalk images
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Fine print: the fashion brands getting bookish for S/S 2019
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Show stopping: a new book traces Bureau Betak’s runway extravaganzas
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Book: 'I Only Want You to Love Me' by Miles Aldridge
By Ellen Himelfarb Last updated