For better or worse, it seems that we have stepped inside a time capsule where we’re back in our middle school days where Bebe’s crystallized lettering was embroidered on our shirts and sparkle jeans was the pinnacle of fashion, all thanks to German designer Philipp Plein. This name is not a name that many people know, but he’s the person hosting extravagant fashion shows with $7 million price stamps, so without further adieu let’s start from the beginning.
Quoted as saying “fashion should be fun and enjoyable”, he simply fell into the fashion world. Instinctively a creator, his beginnings weren’t even in clothing – it was in designing furniture. Recycling the leftover materials from his designs, he manufactured bags and accessories which eventually led to the creation of his 2004 casual brand under his name and later as the Philipp Plein ready- to- wear label in 2008.
The designer finds himself to be on the eccentric side and we couldn’t agree more. His Spring / Summer ’18 collection which is in a frenzy with metallic, leather and glitter adds to the edge and appeal of the designer’s namesake. Just taking one look at his runway show you’ll find leather corsets chokers and much more.
His shows are loud and stand out. He’s also a rule -breaker by taking the fashion world and flipping it on its axis by featuring his catwalk full of ex-convicts. However, it’s not to say that editors of magazines and celebrities aren’t paying attention. His followers include the likes of Naomi Campbell, Snoop Dogg, and many others so it’s fair to say that people are paying attention to his growing stardom.
Not everybody has joined the bandwagon though. Plein is reportedly in a feud with Alexander Wang which is not at all coincidental that he was hosting the #wangfest fashion show at the same time ( which was relatively close to Plein’s show ). It’s unclear however as to whether his blunt approach to design conflicts with the fashion elite.
Whatever your opinions on Philip Plein are, one thing is for sure: this guy is making moves. He may be capitalizing his brand on pure shock factor in that he emotes interest in some people watching him, but he’s got our attention, and it will be interesting to see the levels he takes in the future.
