by Mira Postolache
Antoine and Krystophe, two visionary individuals with an unwavering passion for fashion, embarked on a creative journey together to give birth to their remarkable brand, LGNC. Fuelled by a shared belief that fashion should not be linearly confined within a specific era, they set out to carve a niche for themselves in the industry by creating designs that transcend the constraints of time. In their eyes, fashion is more than a fleeting trend; it is an eternal expression of artistry and self-expression.
The logo of LGNC, seemingly on the verge of being erased, serves as a powerful symbol of their desire to escape the limitations of time itself. It represents their bold mission to redefine the boundaries of fashion and present a distinctive vision that merges the past and the future. With great pride and confidence, they invite you to delve into their world, where temporal barriers dissolve, and a harmonious coexistence of elements from bygone eras and the most innovative designs awaits.
At the core of LGNC’s creative inspiration lies the enchanting concept of retro-futurism. Drawing from the nostalgia and charm of history, they infuse their collections with a hint of modernity, forging a path towards a unique vision of the future. You will find an amalgamation of timeless pieces, tastefully reimagined with innovative cuts, avant-garde details, and a touch of contemporary allure. Each garment becomes a work of art, a manifestation of their commitment to crafting a wardrobe that exudes protection, assurance, and unyielding confidence. However, their ambition reaches beyond aesthetics. LGNC is driven by a strong commitment to both the environment and the current needs of our society. Recognizing the urgent challenges our planet faces, Antoine and Krystophe strive to create not just sustainable clothing but also to establish an entire universe where well-being thrives. They meticulously select eco-conscious materials, fiercely prioritize the use of deadstock fabrics, and remain dedicated to a respectful and conscientious production process. By incorporating these values, they ensure that their creations truly stand the test of time, remaining cherished items to be loved and cherished rather than disposable pieces destined for a landfill.
So, as the doors swing open to LGNC, embrace the invitation to immerse yourself in a world where the innovations of tomorrow mingle effortlessly with the timeless elegance of the past. Welcome to a brand that not only embraces the beauty of fashion beyond time but also nurtures the well-being of our planet and society, one stitch at a time.
Their latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection, “Endless Heat” showcases the designers’ awareness of the world’s current situation. This utopian and metaphorical women’s wardrobe conveys the evolution of fashion in a world grappling with climate disruption. Despite addressing a serious issue, the brand remains committed to sustainability and incorporates its unique style through choice of materials and cuts. The timely motto, “STREET CARE,” aligns perfectly with the current climate by emphasizing comfort, protection, and retro futurism. The collection aims to provide timeless garments that complement their previous capsule collection, “24h on a burning earth.”
Join our exclusive interview with Antoine and Krystophe x Vanity Teen:
Hello Antoine and Krystophe, welcome to Vanity Teen. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest collection, “Endless Heat”? How does the concept of a world in the throes of climate disruption influence the designs and aesthetic choices?
Hello Vanity Teen! Our last collection “endless heat” is an extension of our pre-SS24 collection. The question we always ask ourselves when creating our pieces is “does it really protect us from the outside world”? Of course, we can talk about multiple things we want to fight: society, others’ judgment and most of all, climate. Its sudden change provokes horrible heat waves during summer, and pollution is becoming out of control. We translate this defense mechanism, in our collection, through cutouts, either breathable fabrics or on the contrary really thick ones for protection. In the end, the most important is to avoid a caricature image of what we are defending, while keeping a critical eye.
Sustainability is a core value for LGNC. How do you ensure that your brand remains conscious of the world around us while creating fashion-forward and innovative designs?
Sustainability is a true challenge for young designers, but even more when the system isn’t really engaged. We often ask ourselves how to break a pattern to which we are necessarily subject. Thus, we try, on our scale, to do our best. Our fabrics come from deadstock of high fashion brands which let us use products of great quality. Also, our collection is entirely made in France and Europe. The aim is to push forward slow fabrication and slow fashion. If we really want to be sustainable, we need to review an entire system and are we really ready for it? That’s why we want to work with the new generation to maximize our impact in this industry. For us, the younger generation brings a lot of hope and we aim to break mindsets.
The motto “STREET CARE” is central to your brand. Could you explain the meaning behind this and how it manifests in your designs and overall brand philosophy?
It is a slogan that came naturally and that means, comfort, protection and care. Through our journeys and our trials, Krystophe and I had a real need to feel protected, and to provide this protection to others. We always think about how to help people through our creations in order to feel more confident, comfortable and protected to face this violent society. For us, clothing is a way to make people feel better. That translates into tight, or oversized cuts. Games of materials that are considered second skin, such as leather. We can also see it in our high-rise collars and our repetitive rivets that seal the garment and make it a shell.
Your previous collection, “24h on a burning earth,” was a capsule collection. How does the new collection, “Endless Heat,” build upon or evolve from that concept? What timeless elements can we expect to see in the new garments?
«Endless Heat» is a continuation of the collection «24h on a burning earth». The concept of the capsule collection is based on outfits adapted to each moment of the day on a planet where it is increasingly difficult to live. «Endless heat» is rather the reflection of a wardrobe inspired by the same silhouettes, with the same codes, in particular a lace with the burnt effect, leather and damaged jeans etc; many details that make from the name of the collection its meaning. Through that we show our luxury know-how by working quite complex materials such as leather or denim. LGNC knows how to work with all kinds of materials, and it is important for us to show that we are versatile.
Comfort and protection are highlighted as key aspects of the collection. How do these factors influence the choice of materials and cuts in your designs? How do you balance functionality with style?
The practical side comes quite naturally in the process of creation. It is true that, like any creator, you can get carried away by an idea, a desire to always develop the garment. But we also have this earthy side where we must put ourselves in the consumer’s shoes to make a practical, usual, comfortable and protective garment. Stretch materials are very important for us due to our dancing past. We have a more sensitive approach to these materials, which are like a second skin, and in which we feel as if wrapped and protected.
These materials are very complicated to work in both technique and style. We don’t want to fall into sportswear, that’s why we rework shapes and cuts to create powerful silhouettes.
Retro futurism is mentioned as a prominent theme. How does this aesthetic element come through in your designs? How do you reinterpret past influences to create a forward-looking and unique vision for LGNC?
Retro Futurism is a source of both visual and philosophical inspiration. This past-future connection is the essence of our brand. The concept of drawing inspiration from the past and mixing it with the utopian idea of the future is brilliant in our eyes. It is an inexhaustible source of inspiration because the passing of time is infinite and allows an infinity of creations. This manifests itself in codes, atmospheres that we have consulted in certain archives that we like, and we reinterpret them.
As an environmentally conscious brand, how do you prioritize sustainable practices in your production processes? Are there any specific eco-friendly materials or techniques you utilize in your collections?
Our clothes are made in environmentally conscious conditions and with our little hands. A lot of our materials come from deadstock which is a strength for us because it reflects our identity. As for deadstock, we work with French companies such as Nonassources, which collects the most beautiful deadstock of luxury houses. But we also try to work with individuals who resell their fabrics. However, we make sure that the fabrics are not too special because of the production side, it is always more complicated to work with used fabrics. We start by sketching the garment in colors but everything can change according to the fabrics we find. Our collection plans are therefore constantly evolving.
Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations for LGNC? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you are particularly excited about?
Our real goal is to reach a wider target, through our perception of the world. While continuing to create collections, make shows and events. We are excited to grow our community, sensitive to the same values as us. We want to collaborate with young brands, to support young people in their projects, because it is a real challenge to evolve when you are launching something new, and we are aware of that.
Thus, we’re planning to organize a show for the upcoming season. This is an important step for us. Faithful to our mindset, we have a project to offer young designers this same opportunity.
A letter to your future self.
Don’t rush and keep listening to your feelings, same as day one.
