Armand Basi: The Universal Young Man
By Michelle Taylor
(Photo by IndigitalTV)
PARIS, Jun 29, 2003/ FW/ -- Out of his creative Barcelona, Spanish designer Armand
Basi brings his avant-garde spring / summer 2004 collection to Paris.
Basi uses the 1930s Barcelona as inspiration through its art and synergies
that were happening at the time.
With the 1929 Universal Exhibition opening Barcelona to the world and the proclamation of
the Spanish Republic in 1931, the period saw an explosion of initiatives which once again,
and forthe second time since Modernism, placed Barcelona on the universal map.
A soundtrack of urban, jungle and electro music reflects the garments that
moved down the catwalk in an urban, industrial mix of trends and textures.
Fabrics are mixed to create shirts and tops, jackets and pants are comfortable
and create silhouettes that are relaxed rather than slim fitting.
T-shirts and long sleeve tops have artists such as Joan Mir as graphic reference,
and as the show notes states, "His paintings is matter, light, and mystery
but at the same time a return to innocence and to purity."
Basi used spray paint metropolis technique (also used on footwear and gloves), hapzardly placed
stamping and visible contrating stitching and embroidery in search of this
lightness.
The 1930 influence is seen through the boy leg cut bathing suits, caps, the
use of wide stripe and tone on tone t-shirts worn over shirts in an attempt
to move away from the formal and s.
Pants are drawstring, shorts are tailored
but soft and baggy bermuda and matched with jackets.
Colour themes range form green-greys to balck and white with bright colours
of yellows and reds add the taste of a Mediterranean summer.
The old andthe new, in a collection that searches to create a universal young man.
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