Lookbook - Brocade Borders – Fall 2013 Collection
Collection of Handwoven Silks, Prints & Travel Fashion Stories
Brocade Borders is a Fall 2013 collection lookbook by Shrekahnth. It was shot in Berlin and focuses on curating impressions from travel diaries. The collection displays memories from various places around the world. These stories are captured in prints, fabric choices, and silhouettes. The collection focuses on how textiles tell stories. A weave, a motif, or a surface treatment can connect to a place or time.
The collection features a wide range of fabrics, strongly focusing on Handwoven Silks. Many handwoven pieces come from Varanasi, India. This collection features two-tone silks with zigzag patterns and traditional zari. Handwoven silks are used in jackets, dresses, and layered sets. One of the looks combines a pleated waist jacket with a zari collar worn over a pink silk dress. The dress features a handweave zigzag pattern. It’s simple in shape yet rich in texture and technique.
The lookbook features a mix of structured patterns and soft materials. Some styles are highly tailored. The looks include pleated jackets, bias-cut dresses, and fitted velvet pieces. Others, like kaftans and wrap dresses, are playful and more relaxed. These styles let the fabric and print stand out. The construction of the styles is cohesive yet easygoing.
Prints are created with the utmost attention and in diverse ways. Some prints, like the dress featuring the Arc de Triomphe at dusk, are photographic. Others draw from the archives of French textile and printmaker Abraham. You can spot floral designs by Abraham from the 1960s. There are also Ukrainian ceramic patterns and Parisian stained glass elements. These prints don’t decorate the silks. They extend the idea of travel fashion. Each garment serves as a record of the places that inspired it.
One strength of this collection is the way it blends unique influences. They layer together elegantly, creating depth without being overwhelming. A jacket in black and white brocade print pairs with a tunic featuring Ukrainian motifs. A dress with a rose petal print is cut on the bias with a twisted shoulder. A kaftan made of silk georgette showcases a skull print corresponding to Pac-Man graphics. It is accented with delicate Swarovski crystal embroidery at the waist. The style of clothing blends diverse ideas. Yet, it remains functional and wearable.
Some styles stand out, like a long white silk dress. It has gold skull embroidery. The shape is simple, but the details are rich. Or a cape dress in soft pink with jellyfish prints. These combinations of looks highlight the subtle balance in the collection. It exists between ornament and restraint, heritage and play, memory and modernity.
Colours shift from soft, earthy tones to richer shades. These include olive, plum, grey, soft pink, beige, and sometimes deep red. These tones support the detailed prints and emphasize the materials’ features. Fabrics include silk satin, silk velvet, crinkle chiffon, handloom weaves, and sheer georgette. Everything is chosen for how it works with movement and light.
The choice to shoot in Berlin adds another layer. The setting’s strong architectural design blends with an industrial style. This creates a striking contrast to the detailed garments. It makes the pieces feel lived-in and contemporary rather than styled or staged. Each frame lets the clothing speak for itself.
Brocade Borders is a collection that doesn’t try too hard to impress. It’s quiet but considered. It captures a design approach that comes from perception. This means engaging with spaces, patterns, and materials gathered over time. It is personal yet outward-looking. It is rooted in handwoven silks and shaped by the spirit of travel fashion. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a way of gathering, remembering, and creating.
