MONCLER DEBUTS ‘GENIUS’ COLLECTION WITH JW ANDERSON

by Stephen Garner

For Moncler’s “Genius” project, designer Jonathan Anderson proposes a selection of his most iconic designs, inflating archive JW Anderson items – like the Riviera hat and ruffled shorts – and reinterpreting them in duvet fabrics to create a new take on known shapes.

Every piece in the line is meant to be worn by men and women and is extremely playful in spirit. Zip-up blousons with padded zip-pullers, padded scarves, wide-brim hats, and shorts are bright building blocks of looks that are all about color and shape, with sculptural motifs such as embossed dots and protruding spikes adding further three-dimensionality. Red, light blue, yellow, pink, black, white, and navy blue are worked in monochromatic blocks or in contrasting juxtapositions, just like matte is played off with shiny.

Nods to the countryside mix with notions of city dressing: duck prints swarm on long sleeveless duvets worn over double-faced coats. Trench coats and military-style knits with patch pockets complete the line-up, which is accessorized with packable boots and padded bags with padded chain details. The technicality and straightforwardness of Moncler gets an abstract twist.

In celebration of the collection, Moncler and JW Anderson present an Exhibition In A Box – 500 limited edition curated archive cases conceived to spark creativity and individual expression to celebrate the debut of the “1 Moncler JW Anderson” collection.

With limited cultural gatherings, Anderson thought of a way to bring the art to you. In a bid to replicate the energy of his presentation for Moncler Genius back in February, the Northern Irish designer and latest addition to the Moncler Genius roster has created an Exhibition in a Box to unpack, hang and appreciate within the comfort of your own home.

The box contained a personal message from the designer explaining the concept and his long-term collaborator Tyler Mitchell: “I am happy to share with you the culmination of my Moncler Genius collection: a piece you can interact with at home while we’re still struggling to find ways to spend time together,” Anderson said. “Hope you enjoy this Exhibition in a Box with the incredible images from Tyler Mitchell.”

Anderson worked with Mitchell to create the micro-showcase, which contains photographs the duo shot of the collection in the English countryside this summer. The New-York based photographer first found common ground with the designer discussing art, so the installation was a project that was fresh and exciting for both.

The art is presented in an archive box, traditionally used for storing important documents and records. It contains a padded folder containing prints of different sizes, with letter-pressed instruction cards and guidance on how to hang the exhibition in your home. The visual nature of the box allows the recipient to play, touch, and interact with the collection, as their creativity guides them. An exploration into replacing the collective experience of fashion shows with the opportunity to create a uniquely curated perspective for your own personal space.

The new 1 Moncler JW Anderson collection is available in Moncler boutiques, Moncler.com, and in selective wholesale networks worldwide.