editorial | Aphrodite

editorial

September 27, 2021

Ringing In Autumn With Patagonia

We’re very sad to say so but t-shirt weather will soon slip away, and although this changing of seasons always feels a little grim, it’s much easier to embrace cool breezes when you’ve got Patagonia knocking up fire autumnal fits for fun. However, if the jury in your head is still out on the matter, let us convince you with a series of shots from our latest Patagonia editorial.

We Mackems are very lucky to live by the beach and with access to sandy shores that stretch for miles and miles what better location is there to head to for an Aphrodite photoshoot? The eroded clifftops and grassy vistas of tourist spot, The Souter Lighthouse, made for quite the backdrop on this occasion. With a fitting location boxed off, there was the small matter of three Patagonia looks to nail, and not to sound conceited but this we did.
Fleece ran rife in the lineup chosen by our stylist, but we wouldn’t expect anything less when working with a brand like Patagonia, the two are a match made in heaven. First into the spotlight was a patchwork half zip, formally named the Patagonia Synchilla Anorak and with dominant colours of brown and teal running throughout. This was married with the Patagonia Insulated Quandary Jacket in a complementary shade of mulch brown, the Brodeo Beanie and finally the Arbor Lid Pack (28L iteration). What I take from this outfit, and I’m sure what the wearer would take from this look is function first and foremost. The outfit feels primed for whatever the weather could throw your way with waterproof properties, fuzzy fleece, and wool in the mix, it covers all bases.

We chose to layer down for the second look in the hopes that the good old British weather might suffice, opting for the Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece in smolder blue which was simply paired with a staple short-sleeved tee, while on the bottom, the Patagonia GI Trousers offered an outdoorsy touch thanks to their cotton twill shell, buckle belt and range of pocket space. The overriding feeling when it comes to this fit is its ability to do both, you could sport this ensemble in the city streets and then wander off-trail for a hike if you fancied it. No one would bat an eyelid.

The third and final look from the lineup gears up for the city, harmonising equal amounts of form and function to satisfy the wearer’s style while making sure they’re shielded from the elements too. At the core of the outfit is the Patagonia Hi-Loft Down Jacket, guaranteed to promote warmth and add bulk to your outfit while underneath a classic flannel shirt brings a dose of longevity. The Aeon Trainers from Axel Arigato have been placed on foot to keep it contemporary, bringing both comfort and class.

And if all the above weren’t enough, you can bet big on the fact that most of the garments featured are eco-friendly in true Patagonia style. Whether they’re made from recycled fishing nets or post-consumer plastic, start browsing all of these styles with a clear conscience.

Shop Patagonia new arrivals now.

May 18, 2021

Rick Owens DRKSHDW SS21

Rick Owens isn’t called ‘The Lord of Darkness’ for nothing, despite spending his formative years on America’s west coast his collections seldom depict the easy, breezy spirit of Cali’ living. Instead, subdued palettes and theatrical styles intertwine, acting as the cornerstone of the Paris-based designer’s aesthetic and heavily informing the immensely popular Rick Owens DRKSHDW offshoot.

Established in 2005, the diffusion line borrows the avant-garde sensibility conveyed throughout the Rick Owens main collection, reworking the label’s iconic designs but at a much more accessible price point. This has enabled the sub-line to garner an international cult following in which streetwear aficionados don Owens’ show-stopping garments more like a badge of honour rather than a piece of clothing.

Calling on Greek mythology, the most recent Rick Owens DRKSHDW capsule centers on Phlegethon – one of the five rivers of the underworld, translating to ‘fire-flaming’ in English and bleakly described as ‘a stream of hell’. Taking aim at the pandemic and the anguish the world has endured as a result, in Rick’s own words the collection is a “middle finger to doom.”

As ever, the offering boasts considerable weight in the form of exaggerated proportions and long-line silhouettes, with a defiant attitude palpable across every single category from tees, trousers and accessories. The label’s synonymous triple-black palette is broken up with hints of plum and dust filtering through, perhaps a creative nod to the expression ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

Standouts for us are the Phlegethon shorts and trousers alike; characterised in true Rick Owens style by their drop crotch construction and rock ‘n’ roll rendering. Fiercely opaque and sustainably crafted from organic cotton, each pair is perfectly aligned with the label’s grunge allure. Tees in the collection stretch far beyond the hips with elongated ribbons and Egyptian graphics upping the ante visually while the signature drawstring detail brings both style and substance to various pieces.

Though dominated by dramatic tones and a bold bravado, the Rick Owens DRKSHDW SS21 collection delivers a positive message that’s suitably in tune with the times – to stand up against adversity wherever possible. Shop key Rick Owens DRKSHDW SS21 pieces online and in-store at Aphrodite Clothing.

January 31, 2020

New BOSS: An Athleisure Assembly

Purveyors of the Athleisure movement BOSS present yet another substantial chunk of menswear essentials. With everything from smart/casual polo shirts, two-piece tracksuits and ultra-relaxed loungewear up for grabs we couldn’t help ourselves but show it off with a stroll around our local pastures. Take a peek at the full editorial below or browse our full lineup of BOSS here.

April 19, 2019

Parisian Perfection: APC & Maison Kitsune

Paris has long been regarded as a cultural epicentre; not just of fashion, but of style. While some of the world’s biggest luxury brands call the City of Lights their home, it’s Paris’s inhabitants that have captured the world’s collective eye. Whether taking a break at a café, running errands or just strolling around the arondissements, there’s just something about Paris that brings out that laid-back style. Get some of that style savoir-faire for yourself with the latest from A.P.C. and Maison Kitsune.

A.P.C. & Maison Kitsune SS’19

Both hailing from Paris, these two brands capture their home city’s vibe perfectly through their use of classic patterns, relaxed cuts and playful graphics. We’ve highlighted some of our favourite pieces in our latest editorial shoot. It may not be Paris, but it comes pretty darn close.

Higher or Lower?

There’s no simpler men’s style technique than ‘high-low’ dressing: that is, pairing something considered traditionally smart with more casual pieces. Take the combo above, for example: while the APC coat is of a classic ‘Balmacaan’ style, the custom-woven fabric is spring weight and lightens the silhouette considerably. Meanwhile, the Maison Kitsune t-shirt is one of the more subdued pieces in the brand’s lineup, but holds its own thanks to the slubby cotton jersey and superior Portuguese construction.

Both pieces complement each other effortlessly for a smart-casual double whammy. Combine this with the glen-plaid check pattern of the A.P.C. coat and the muted graphic on the Maison Kitsune t-shirt for extra Paris-points.

Daily Chores

There’s probably no more stereotypically ‘French’ garment than the striped long-sleeve t-shirt, so it’s no surprise one would appear here. For decades, actors, musicians and general cool people have turned to the classic mariniere as part of their daily uniform. It’s no surprise — they pretty much go with anything, from workwear to cutting edge capital-F Fashion. This version from Maison Kitsune is a beauty, constructed from a satisfyingly weighty jersey fabric and finished with the brand’s signature Fox logo.

We paired it with A.P.C.‘s upscale take on the traditional bleu de travail French worker’s jacket, which elevates the functionality of the original with a textured fabric and metallic buttons for a contemporary take on classic Gallic garms.

The Parisian Job

Still on an elevated workwear vibe, the above outfit is based around A.P.C.‘s two-piece Job set. Comprising an overshirt and a pair of straight-leg carpenter pants, the ensemble swerves away from painter-decorator territory with the use of a luxe striped fabric, delivering the typically Parisian skew on Americana that only A.P.C. can provide.

Wear the full set or mix and match the pieces with your existing wardrobe — the trousers in particular are something special, complete with the full complement of utility pockets and hammer loop. Throw on one of Maison Kitsune‘s beefy-yet-refined hoodies for the chillier days and you’re set for Springtime in Paris (or wherever else you happen to end up).

Check out the brands’ pages for even more of the good stuff, and make sure to keep an eye on our social feeds for the latest drops.

November 5, 2018

Peaks to Pavements – The North Face

It’s fair to say fashion has taken a swerve that no one could have anticipated over the past few years, with even the highest of high-end focusing solely on that of the streetwear trend. We explore a brand whos organic identity had them placed rightfully in the rankings of this megatrend from the offset, by documenting them in their new stomping ground.

With an assortment of familiar silhouettes and fabrics, The North Face never fail to impress with their ability to give everything a fresh take. In an array of earthy toned fleece, poly and nylon with healthy dashes of camo print and the newly introduced repeat ‘brand mantra’ text, never stop exploring, you can stand out or blend in as you please.

May 5, 2017

Patagonia’s Sustainable Business is More Important Than Ever

Alongside ‘immersive’ and ‘influencer’, the word ‘sustainability’ is one of the major buzzwords of recent times, particularly in the world of fashion. It makes sense: company ethics have been a growing concern for consumers, in terms of both human and environmental impact. It’s undeniable that some of the biggest names in fashion have been making headway into improving their green credentials: fast fashion giants H&M and Zara have both been seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, while adidas and Nike have been introducing technologies like Prime/Flyknit in order to cut down on industrial waste. However, it has been argued that these are examples of ‘greenwashing’: companies employing environmentally-friendly policies, while still promoting the mass consumption that has got landfills overflowing. It’s a step in the right direction, of course, but surely more can be done?

Enter Patagonia. The veteran outdoor company is a firm favourite here at Aphrodite, and has loudly championed environmentally-friendly practices since its inception in 1973. In honour of Earth Day (April 22nd) Hypebeast recently posted a profile following the company from a sustainability perspective, and is a very interesting read for anyone interested in the brand, its mission or how a sustainable, socially-conscious brand could be run. It’s also refreshing, if not unusal, to see that a brand of Patagonia’s stature is committed to such an anti-capitalist standpoint.

Patagonia has stuck to its narrative, churning out documentaries that communicated the brand’s anti-materialist philosophy at every turn. Beyond mere branded propaganda, the brand’s own athletes and ambassadors have also exhibited a profoundly inspiring compassion not only for the environment, but the unsung people and communities that make the environment so compelling.

Read the full article at Hypebeast, and browse our full Patagonia range at Aphrodite Clothing.

Looking for another ecologically-conscious brand? Try Nudie Jeans, who are also committed to reducing their environmental impact while still making awesome products.