Velvet

Velvet, a timeless material that never goes out of style without ever being in fashion, is an "ancient fabric" rich in history, evolving over centuries with changing uses. Initially lightened for enhanced performance, it later gained technical treatments. Since its introduction to clothing, it has yet to surpass the notion of being associated with classical and baroque contexts - for smooth velvet - or with the sporty world of hunting and fishing, for corduroy. In the collection and book, starting from this concept and their collaboration with Pontoglio 1883 - a leading Italian velvet company for 140 years - the Chiassais have focused on a futuristic vision of the material. A dialogue of shapes and volumes, highlighting versatility through craftsmanship and choosing photographic printing techniques for new "velvet-like illusions." Also, a creative exercise on color rendering and light study, varying in shininess or matte, three-dimensional or flat, depending on angle and intensity. Unlikely combinations of classic tones - burgundy, camel, brown, or rust - are juxtaposed with technicolor shades - fuchsia, acid green, and electric blue. The play on the direction of the cord's cut and the mix of sizes and surfaces breaks the "straight-grain" rules, showcasing the fabric's moldable and 3D aspects. Focus on velvet as an object of study, analysis, and experimentation, deconstructed and reconstructed in search of functional aspects. The diverse and numerous creative options generated from the same base lead to a style exercise marked by the uniqueness of the garments. A richness of synergies between colors, fabrics, and shapes reveals the extraordinary artistic potential of velvet.