March 1, 2024 |
For his AW24 collection, Ib Kamara rolled the dice with his most daring outing yet – a delightful concoction of neon colourways, bold prints and faux-fur trims. His big swing was a big hit, reaffirming his commitment to filling the hard-to-match shoes left by the brand’s late founder, Virgil Abloh.
Framing his runway as a giant version of the multiplayer board game Ludo, set with a swollen set of die bedecked in diamantes and metallic pipping, Kamara didn’t leave anything to chance. Looks were immaculately conceived from head to toe, with each garment deftly intertwining Kamara’s main sources of inspiration, derived from a recent trip to Japan where the designer was struck by the influence of Americana on Japanese culture. After pivoting this realisation to focus on Western culture, Kamara coined the phrase “Black by popular demand” (the title of the outing), to celebrate the specific impact of the Black community on American music and style.
Menswear and womenswear were presented as different but symbiotic, with the latter embodying a seductive energy edited with a grace, inspired by the collection’s Japanese influences. Waists were cinched throughout, either through understated corsets or belts. Sleeveless dresses were caged by bondage-like strapping, whilst distressed denim became the base for skin-baring jeans and club-ready two-pieces. Boots reached new heights, with tops so tall they were practically leather trousers.
Men’s silhouettes focused on being oversized, with ultra-baggy trousers, jeans or shorts being paired with almost every look. The outerwear was particularly strong, sporting unconventional details like arms that went under sleeves as opposed to through and extra fluffy collars. Hoodies, bomber jackets, varsity jackets and puffers came spattered with stars or swirls, each drenched in vivid hues. It was solid collection all-round.
Photography courtesy of Off-White.
