HELIOT EMIL unveils its 2024 Fall/Winter Collection, embarking on a journey to explore the intersection between fashion’s form and protective functionality. This season, HELIOT EMIL re-engages in collaboration with the Italian company Alpinestars, known for its focus on motorsport and material innovation, resulting in creations that blend Alpinestars materials with wearable sculptures crafted from (deployable) airbags designed to safeguard actual racers. The designers aim to showcase not only Alpinestars’ advanced technology but also the profound impact clothing can have on individuals in a literal sense, highlighting the life-saving potential within the fashion industry’s innovations.
Evolving Aesthetics with Emphasis on Softened Fabrics
Moving away from avant-garde silhouettes, this season shifts focus towards refined, softened fabrics. The occasional dune-style aesthetics set against the backdrop of a Danish limestone quarry add a timely and appropriate dimension to the collection. The aesthetic of HELIOT EMIL remains rooted in functionality, with occasional echoes of Helmut Lang’s minimalist spirit. Yet, the designers’ interpretation of futurism remains distinctly unique.
Previously, the designers have ventured into using 3D printing for footwear, experimenting with AI in design, and this fall, they’re incorporating Shieldex fabric into their pieces, capable of blocking radiation, including that from cell phones. This protective concept aligns with the dual nature of protection explored this season—both hardy defenses and softer, inclusive forms. Alpinestars materials and metal-infused fabrics represent the former, while garments crafted from luxurious materials like cashmere, mohair, silk, and alpaca wool embody the latter. Comfortably fitting shoulder straps and suede trousers adorned with horsehair rivet panels offer a distinct alternative to traditional denim, marrying comfort with luxury.