ROKH PRE-FALL 2022 COLLECTION
Notions of home and humanity lie behind this season. Put another way, I was interested in the universal desire to build a sanctuary. I wanted to evoke warmth, safety, and security through a deft use of texture, textile, and print. I set this as a challenge to myself: How could I take the idea of the familiar and place it in an unfamiliar format?
We took inspiration from different living spaces that provide comfort, specifically '70s American interiors that felt warm. Dark wood-paneled walls, rough-hewn stone hearths, shag carpets, and flocked wallpaper. In my eyes, the beauty of this collection is the clash of random, but connected textures, textiles, and prints, similar to that which occurs when you are decorating your own home.
I wanted to highlight heaps of boiled wool-like fabrics, which are ever so cozy and cut nicely into slouchy messenger bags and scarves. An oversize shearling-textured teddy bear coat is rug-like, yet still neatly forms to the body. I used four short upholstery-like leather belts for the coat's simple closures. There are a lot of fisherman cable knits, woven with melange wool yarn, which have seen a heavy washing, such as a bra top, cardigan, and flared pants in shades of cream. They softly hug their wearer's frame while creating a pleasant silhouette.
Other eclectic details inspired by '70s furniture are scattered throughout the lineup. A white fleece coat with a shawl collar and black paisley print. Round vintage metal buttons with our R emblem on a houndstooth dress. A hand-drawn illustration of chain links that graces a sweeping floor-length gown. It was exciting to find balance within these arbitrary clashes to give something still realistic and wearable for women.
I particularly love the little houndstooth dresses. We took a classic houndstooth fabric, bonded it with wool, and left a raw edge. It is my take on something classic with a more technical finish: creating a soft shape that is still crisp. Playing with these dimensions is what gives me the most satisfaction.
- Rok Hwang, Rokh