If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): bizarre trends

Fashion designer Antoine Peters has created a line of fashions for women based on the classic 'I'm With Stupid' novelty t-shirt. Gowns, pants, blouses, coats, sweaters, jackets, even boots and purses, take the concept and turn it into an irreverent but fashionable take on the sophomoric saying and image.

Adding even more humor to the tongue-in-cheek line are the "peace sign" fingers headgear the models sported as they walked down the runway, emulating the juvenile gesture many make in photographs.

Peters describes the concept for the collection as follows:
"I'm With Stupid" is a humorous insult which is best known printed on novelty T-shirts, expressing that a person in the direction of an arrow is 'stupid'. Together with the lack of self-mockery this inspired a collection full off 'plays with directions' in fabric-draping, pattern-cutting, print-design and fast (negative) judgements.

above: some examples of Classic "I'm With Stupid" T-shirts

The airyness of concept, and literally in the clothes itself, is emphasized by arrows which are visible in print-design and styling. However, these arrows are also a substantial part of the construction, silhouettes and details within the clothes, which isn't visible (at first sight).

Video of the runway show:

all images courtesy of the designer

Antoine Peters

The Fall/ Winter 2012/13 collection of menswear from Belgium fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck, Lust Never Sleeps, is a bizarre blend of Friday The 13th's Jason, A Clockwork Orange's Droogs and the artwork of Ellsworth Kelly. And like a car wreck, it's virtually impossible to look away. Don't get me wrong, the collection is far from a tragic accident. Impeccably crafted and finely tailored, the bizarre pieces are made with very high quality materials and the overall look is imaginative, if not artful.

above: the invitation to the show

Leather face masks, bowlers, knit caps, fedoras, caps, cowboy hats, hip waders, coveralls, thigh high boots, and gloves are paired with tailored suits, color-blocked sweaters and vests in bright, graphic Pez-colored combinations. Mohair, plaids and other interesting textiles blend into the collection of Pop Art-like suits.

Fetish references punctuated the line of whimsical and macabre menswear, such as whip-like canes, black rubber padlock necklaces or tufted fur fingernails on leather gloves.

But frankly, nothing speaks like pictures.