BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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The JW Anderson SS27 collection arrives as a deeply considered and visually striking exploration of craft, identity, and human connection, marking one of Jonathan Anderson’s most expressive and conceptually rich presentations to date.
Built around the idea of curation as a creative language, the collection repositions fashion as an evolving dialogue between maker, object, and wearer rather than a fixed seasonal output.
Shot by photographer Heikki Kaski, the accompanying lookbook reinforces this philosophy by featuring a close-knit cast of collaborators and friends, including actor Connor Swindells, ceramicist Akiko Hirai, model Dree Hemingway, and art collector Ivor Braka.
Each figure is presented not simply as a model, but as an extension of Anderson’s creative ecosystem — reinforcing the collection’s core focus on process and human influence.
At the heart of JW Anderson SS27 is a commitment to controlled imperfection. The collection embraces garments that feel lived-in, reworked, and intentionally altered.
Repaired Japanese denim plays a central role, showcasing visible mending techniques that elevate wear-and-tear into a design language of its own. These pieces reflect a broader philosophy: that clothing becomes more meaningful through time, use, and repair.
Silhouettes across the collection balance structure with spontaneity. Draped eveningwear appears as though it has been gently pinned in motion, while loose camisoles and boxy jackets introduce a sense of ease and everyday wearability. The tension between refinement and informality defines the collection’s visual rhythm.
Signature JW Anderson silhouettes also return in evolved forms. The brand’s iconic twist jeans and fold-over trousers are reinterpreted with bolder proportions and exaggerated cuts, reinforcing the idea that familiar forms can still feel new when viewed through a different lens.
Knitted garments introduce a more expressive, almost whimsical dimension to the JW Anderson SS27 collection. Deep green Donegal wool sweaters decorated with wildflowers sit alongside an orange hare-intarsia knit and a traditional Fair Isle Squirrel design, blending heritage craftsmanship with playful visual storytelling.
These pieces reflect Anderson’s ongoing interest in destabilizing expectations — transforming traditional knitwear into narrative-driven objects that sit between fashion and art.
Accessories play a defining role in shaping the identity of JW Anderson SS27. The collection introduces a series of sculptural and conceptual pieces that blur the boundary between utility and decoration.
A standout Squirrel Clutch, complete with crocheted nuts, embodies the collection’s surreal and humorous undertone. Meanwhile, rugby-striped pouch bags, duffels, and hobo silhouettes are constructed with integrated functional pockets, reinforcing the idea of accessories as both expressive and practical.
The playful direction extends into homeware and lifestyle objects, further expanding the JW Anderson universe beyond clothing. Wedgwood-inspired mugs referencing ancient Etruscan pottery sit alongside Irish linen tea towels printed with bold phrases such as “WOW, FAB, CHIC.” These items reinforce the collection’s conceptual framework — where domestic objects become extensions of fashion language.
The SS27 collection also includes collaborations that deepen its focus on craftsmanship and tradition. Partnerships with Johnstons of Elgin, Eddie Glew, and Sunbeam Jackie introduce tailored coats, woven hampers, and handcrafted parasols.
These additions strengthen the collection’s narrative around heritage craft, positioning JW Anderson SS27 as a dialogue between contemporary design and traditional making techniques.
Ultimately, JW Anderson SS27 is not defined by trend or spectacle, but by process. It reflects Jonathan Anderson’s continued interest in how objects are made, who makes them, and how meaning is constructed through repetition, repair, and reinterpretation.
By placing collaborators, artisans, and everyday objects at the center of its storytelling, the collection becomes less about seasonal fashion and more about a living archive of creative relationships.
JW Anderson SS27 stands as a powerful reminder that fashion, at its most compelling, is not just about what is worn — but how it is made, and who it is made with.
