Wales Bonner Autumn Winter 2024 collection, aptly named Dream Study, emerges as a profound exploration inspired by the rich interactions with Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. This visionary collection celebrates the Howard University experience, offering a vibrant ode to a shining lineage deeply rooted in the institution’s cultural legacy.
The runway journey begins with a vivid portrayal of Howard University’s homecoming festivities from the 1990s, captured in yearbooks: hip-hop performances, poetic readings, and international gatherings on the campus green. Wales Bonner seamlessly weaves this cultural tapestry into the fabric of Dream Study.
Consciousness and opulence converge in an original interpretation of MC style. Athletic silhouettes pay homage to Howard’s sporting legacy, featuring Nappa leather aviator jackets, corduroy varsity blousons, and satin baseball jerseys that breathe life into the academic wardrobe. Collegiate tailoring is reinvented with utility pockets, while relaxed knitwear embraces cashmere yarns adorned with gold fastenings.
The collection seamlessly fuses influences from diverse worlds, presenting refined compositions such as utility denim and smart shirting alongside dresses and suiting embroidered with crocheted mirrors handmade in India. Soulful exuberance continues with parkas and blousons crafted from vintage Kantha quilts, creating a harmonious blend of cultural elements.
Dream Study also showcases eyewear from Jacques Marie Mage, handcrafted in Japan, contributing to the expressive individualism prevalent throughout the collection. Heritage checks and wool duffle coats meet hip-hop icons, as silver-embellished Timberland boots and exotic crocodile-embossed leather reprises of the adidas Originals Superstar make a bold statement.
A longstanding partnership with Savile Row tailors Anderson and Sheppard results in silk-trimmed tuxedos, melange cashmere double-breasted coats, and cropped trousers in bouclé tweed. Feather brooches and necklaces, adorned with artisanal beads, freshwater pearls, lapis lazuli, and amethyst, lovingly accentuate the evening procession, adding a touch of exquisite craftsmanship.
all images @theimpression
