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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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