There’s a quiet celebration in the air at Craig Green this year as his Spring/Summer 2024 collection discreetly marks a decade in fashion. A surprising softness is the theme this season, an expressive embodiment of intimacy, partnered with the designer’s customary playfulness, marking both an ending and a fresh beginning for Green.
Turning the decade is a big milestone for any fashion house, and Craig Green has decided to make his mark with a collection that is not only striking but notably softer than his previous works. Embracing a double collection, Green has created a medley of soft, touchable textures, floppy knitwear, and a distinct emphasis on intimacy. You might even think he’s back to his ten-year-old self, playing with shapes and colors, creating a collection that makes your heart flutter.
An air of playfulness pervades the collection. Picture floor-sweeping sweaters reminiscent of teepees, elfish caps straight out of a fairy tale, and ponchos voluminous enough to wrap yourself and a friend in, their inspiration drawn from striped shop awnings. There is an apparent effortlessness, a casual way the pieces fall and drape, speaking volumes about Green’s new approach.
Indeed, Green has playfully reimagined the construction of garments. From cropped jackets to hats, you will find bits stitched together with thick lacing in an endearing nod to Meccano sets – those beloved children’s toys which bring cars, motorbikes, and dinosaurs to life. In this collection, Green is taking those foundational building blocks and reworking them in ways that are surprising yet instinctively familiar.
The spirit of exploration didn’t stop there. Green has also created a whimsical rework of the adidas Gazelle. An abacus-like structure wraps around the shoe, complete with sliding beads. Some models even appear holding oversized crash test dummies, resembling giant stuffed dolls. This delightful departure from conventional designs is a testament to the playful spirit Green has chosen to mark this momentous anniversary.
In this Spring/Summer 2024 collection, it’s all about “the individual and human interaction.” His aim was to reveal a softer side to his design philosophy, a stark departure from the hard, constructed pieces of his past collections. This time, he’s letting the fabrics just “be,” allowing them to fall and drape naturally. The shirts feature hand-frayed muslin and calico with 3D stripes, resulting in a tactile collection that begs to be touched.
After a decade, Craig Green is feeling a sense of liberation, a moment of pause to reassess his approach. He reminisced about his journey, noting that it feels like both a fresh start and a lifetime ago. But Green is not just looking forward; he’s also honoring the past. His godfather, a professional upholsterer who taught him to sew, helped create the crash test dummies, and the doll-like structures are a tribute to his history of architectural constructions around his designs.
Craig Green’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection is a celebration of his decade-long journey in fashion, his unquenchable curiosity, and his refreshing approach to design. It’s an homage to the playful spirit of a ten-year-old, and a testament to his ability to embrace change while staying true to his creative roots.
© Photos: Amy Gwatkin / Craig Green
Click on this link to read this article in French version
