At the age of 21, fashion designer Ellis Ko has moved away from traditional runways.
Fashion’s future and present come together in this classic leather jacket and tailored cargo pants for him, and vice versa for her.
Taking inspiration from the phenomenon of déjà vu, present and future collide as Co debuts high fashion streetwear. His Fall 2022 collection, titled “Future Memories,” marked the birth of his archival fashion label.
“I chose the name Archives because the clothes I make are timeless and durable and are a collection of historical records in themselves,” says the 21-year-old design director.
Billed as a “fashion approach outside of the traditional runway”, Co’s show did not disappoint as a multi-sensory experience. With the help of fashion show director Frank Mamaril, Co achieved the concept of time travel in production.
Installed at Whitespace Manila in Makati City, visually transformed into a portal, guests were given a glimpse of the future of fashion through the Co’ Collection, curated by Archive Creative Director Reyka Mayani.
The talented instrumentalists of the Manila String Machine combine this multi-sensory experience with classics from Vivaldi (The Four Seasons, Concerto No. 2, “Summer” III) to create a future-meets-present concept interspersed with contemporary beats.
Memories of the future presented a total of 44 pieces, divided into sections in an interesting way. The opening featured a black parade that gave an introduction to the designer’s extraordinary proportions. Outerwear is revisited into oversized pieces with obi belts and curved cut lapels incorporating the designer’s signature touch.
Breaking the dark and gloomy ensemble was a single white dress that formed a cloud-like hood on top.
Breaking the dark and gloomy ensemble was a single white garment that formed a glittering hood over his head, strikingly resembling a precious white cloud.
The rest of the collection saw Co’s play on neutrals and dressing up, for example, a classic black dress with a trench or leather coat, and reinvented cargo pants with a suit or leather jacket.
Ending the show was a display of Co’s gray ensembles that simultaneously reflected a sophisticated hip youth vibe.
More pieces from Ellis Co’s Future Memories can be found on the label’s official Instagram page @archives.galerie.
