Grace Wales Bonner
Autumn Winter ’16
As part of this year’s London Collections: Men we headed backstage to capture the essence of Grace Wales Bonner’s Autumn Winter ’16 collection aptly entitled ‘Spirituals’.
Sensual and rhythmic vibrations of the kora resound – a griot acts as ancient master of ceremonies calling upon West African ancestral traditions and black musical ritual to impart timeless wisdom, cleanse the mind, elevate consciousness.
Spirituals are choral harmonies, sung by African slaves in the United States. Communal practices of song and dance invoked the sacred as a means to defy corporal suffering and escape into the spirit.
Classic tailoring is sensualized with curves and synched waists, in shimmering checked suiting while a dusky camel suede coat, worn with ebony flares that puddle at the shoe. Rural elegance is represented by brown velvet suits and floating silk shirting.
The show was accompanied by Nigerian Irish composer Tunde Jegede playing a West African 21 string harp.
Photography ~ Lillie Eiger Hair Stylist ~ Mari Ohashi using Bumble & Bumble
