Founded at the start of the millennium and fronted by French designer Christophe Decarnin, Paris-based label Faith Connexion harnesses the nuances of collaboration to bring together a collective that fuses fashion, art and street culture.
And one’s thing for sure, the label exudes a pure unadulterated luxury which sees these urban influences combined with hi-octane glamour (think Studio 54 sequin numbers and gold lamé skirts). With this in mind, cue Maria Buccellati (also of Buccellati jewels), who is the first lady of the fashion house and embodies their FC culture.
What was your first fashionable memory? My child hood pictures at 5 years old playing and loving fashion and style
What is it about fashion that you love? Everything fro the start of the process right through to the finale which is all about styling.
And Faith Connexion? The freedom and the edge.
What were the greatest lessons learned when it comes to fashion? Faith makes things happen and the impossible is the best challenge for making a dream come true – taught to me by my mentors – my mother, Charlene Parsons, Norma Kamali Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, Marta Marzotto, Santiago Gonzalez and Marigay McKee who I love and thank for all they shared and passed onto me.
How would you sum up your aesthetic? Street glam.
How did the artist collaboration series come about? Organically they all come to be part of Faith we have curated and collected artist from around the world now part of the Faith Family. The artist are available for us to do special performances and events globally from La Asia back to Paris Newcomer Dionysios, a visual and conceptual artist of Greek origin, constructs a story around the artist painter’s wardrobe, imagining clothes that bear witness to the creative process as well as being works of art in and of themselves. From the surrealist parka to the paint-stained jeans and the theater inspired red suede “troupe” jacket marked with gold splashes, all the pieces have a history and are part of a numbered series. And in a whimsical twist, the phone number inscribed on the denim jacket with a label promising “call for a good time” will actually be reachable!
Talk us through the collection…This season’s byword is clear: recycle / re-use. And by literally recycling this universal theme, the Faith Connexion collective undertakes a witty exploration of dress codes with a sharp sense of parody. The brand’s iconic pieces are thus reinterpreted through this new lens.
The message runs through the collection like a common thread, in the form of a red tuxedo stripe with black lettering. The band looks equally at home on an elegant flare trouser, on a blue jogger, and of course the brand’s indispensable wide-leg sequined trouser. It reprints itself on the fantastic modular linings of military parkas and work wear pieces. In printed fake fur or gold sequins, the linings are reversible, offering a view of quilted interiors printed with the message “reusable,” and a space for the owner’s name. Versatility is the key, with each part detaching from the whole, allowing each wearer to compose his own garment at will.
The brand’s iconic 90’s style blazer reinvents itself as a chic jumpsuit, or turns playfully into a mini dress with a plunging back. The classic sheepskin with its oversize cut finds itself adorned with prints and shares the spotlight with red moiré micro bombers. A fantastic cape made of Swiss military tent fabric keeps its classic proportions but exudes a rocker vibe thanks to a crazy tri-color fur lining. An impeccable reversible wool coats offers a mix and match of noble materials. Spectacular ultra-oversize down jackets come fur-lined with sequined exteriors, or in Scottish classic tweed with red fur and black vinyl trim. An elegant blouse with a large lavaliere collar is reinterpreted in a sublime, shimmering technical fabric to amazing effect.
The creative tribe continues to grow, with the brand’s characteristic collaborations multiplying again this season.
Inspired by the iconic mouse, the collective has teamed up with Disney to celebrate Mickey, who will celebrate his 90th birthday this coming November, with a teaser collection of nine pieces.
Sita Abellan returns for a third capsule, with her inimitable punk spirit shining through in a black vinyl raincoat and silver jumpsuit. The Naples-based team NTMB returns as well to continue their work around denim.
Raw and spontaneous, the Winter 2018 collection once again celebrates the uniqueness of the individual and gives every person the opportunity to take ownership of pieces whose stories will continue to evolve with wear.
Which is your favorite item/s from your new arrivals? I love my military off shoulder dress and our red combi, it’s my favorite piece of this season paired with our new Zanotti x Faith Connexion sandal leg warmers.
The brand is available at top-tier retailers globally including, Barneys, Harrods, Tsum and Lane Crawford and matchesfashion.com.
