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Embrace the Futuristic Elegance of Iris van Herpen’s Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection, Where Aquatic Architecture Meets Bionic Innovations

July 5, 2023

Iris van Herpen, the avant-garde fashion designer, takes us on a journey into the future with her latest collection, 'ARCHITECTONICS.' Inspired by aquatic architecture and bionic innovations, this groundbreaking collection envisions a world where humans coexist harmoniously with the vast oceans.

Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection
Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection

Drawing Inspiration from Jacques Rougerie: The Architect of the Sea

The collection draws inspiration from the visionary ideas of Jacques Rougerie, the renowned French Architect and Oceanographer known as the 'Architect of the Sea.' Rougerie's work blurs the boundaries between scientific exploration and architectural innovation, offering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between our built environment and the oceans. Van Herpen explores the concept of aquatic urbanism, inspired by Rougerie's designs of underwater habitats and floating laboratories.

Oceanix: The World's First Floating City Influences the Collection

The influence of the revolutionary 'Oceanix,' the world's first floating city designed by starchitect Bjarke Ingels, is also evident in the collection. Oceanix integrates zero waste and circular systems, net-zero energy, and coastal habitat regeneration, paving the way for a new era of waterborne urbanism.

Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection
Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection

Vincent Callebaut's Impact on Technique Development

Vincent Callebaut's ocean architecture projects, including 'Lilypad' and 'Oceanscrapers,' have profoundly impacted van Herpen's technique development. These floating cities create self-sufficient ecosystems that thrive above and beneath the coastal waters by incorporating biomimetics and sustainable living concepts.

Parametric Architecture: Fluidity, Fragmentation, and Shifting Patterns

The collection materializes the principles of parametric architecture, known for its fluidity, fragmentation, and shifting patterns. Van Herpen's designs embody dynamic energy, evident in the explosive patterns of light and shadow that vibrate around the body, redefining traditional fashion boundaries.

Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection

Blurring Boundaries: Fashion Meets Floating Architecture

Van Herpen's exploration of aquatic urbanism extends to the Couture techniques used in the collection. The 'Biophilic' technique combines laser cutting architectural line works with marble-textured silicone and abalone-shell flakes, creating a captivating blend of textures and iridescence.

Innovative Techniques: Biophilic, Oceanix, and Sensorama

The daring 'Oceanix' technique paints bursting patterns in space using carefully balanced fiberglass rods. These graphic polygon patterns evolve from order to chaos as the models move, creating an interplay of fluidity and fragmentation.

Seductive Silhouettes and Revealing Cutouts

Another distinctive technique showcased in the collection is the 'Sensorama,' where 0.7mm brass is waterjet-cut, folded by hand into 3D fractal mineral formations, and laser-welded to create mesmerizing sculptural silhouettes.

Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection
Iris van Herpen, Architectonic F/W 2023-2024 Collection

Color Palette: From Graphic Contrasts to Oceanic Tones

The color palette combines graphic contrasts of white and black with metallic silver, bronze, and gold detailing. Soft mint-green tones mixed with abalone-blue, turquoise, and pearlescent shell shades evoke an oceanic mood.

Architectonic Accessories: Bionic Boots and Ethereal Face Jewelry

Completing the looks are the architectonic 'Bionic' boots, digitally modeled and 3D printed in collaboration with Scry, and ethereal bejeweled face jewelry created with Malakai and Rinaldy Yunardi.

Waterborne Urbanism: Harmonizing with Marine Ecosystems

The ARCHITECTONICS collection challenges conventional notions of living spaces and envisions a future where waterborne urbanism harmonizes with marine ecosystems. With rising sea levels threatening many cities worldwide, this collection is a testament to the ingenuity and desirability of bionic architecture.

Bionic Architecture: The Science of Systems Based on Living Creatures

As Iris van Herpen continues pushing boundaries and redefining fashion, her 'ARCHITECTONICS' collection embodies a vision of a future where humanity seamlessly inhabits land and water. irisvanherpen.com

VIPs Wearing Iris van Herpen