Immersed in the tranquil canals and winding streets of Venice, Jonny Johansson, the creative force behind Acne Studios, found the inspiration for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection. The new line explores the transformative power of travel, not only on our surroundings but also on our sartorial choices and self-identities. Johansson’s Venice trip became a springboard for a vibrant and unique array of garments, blending his quintessential eclecticism with a distinct sense of personal narrative.
Venturing into the vibrant maze of Venetian architecture and culture, Jonny Johansson set off to dive into a profound artistic journey. His quest was not merely fueled by the iconic art and Thomas Mann aura infusing the city, but by a quest for the deeper psychological shifts that travel induces. Johansson expressed his main pursuit was “to explore the psychology of how you change your look when you travel, how you are inspired to dress differently in order to shape a different alter ego”.
This exploratory mentality revived Johansson’s inherent eclecticism, guiding it towards unseen territories. The designer’s deep-rooted affinity for denim, often perceived as a fabric that candidly records the traces of its wearer’s journey, became the compass of this collection. Raw, undyed denim jeans, imprinted with a collage of his personal vintage pieces, emerged as the perfect metaphor for a traveler’s evolving identity. This meta-vintage fusion was harmoniously accompanied by a pink and black check button-up shirt – a symbol of effortless elegance amidst the nostalgic chaos.
The Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2024 collection also offered a refreshing take on the Acne monogram, woven into pale denim, evoking the vibe of a cherished, worn postcard from a far-off destination. This playful twist on branding echoed Johansson’s constant quest to integrate personal narratives into the fabric of his creations.
A noteworthy element in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection was the collaboration with renowned Swedish ceramic artist Per B. Sundberg. The pair drew from the haunting aesthetic of “Mars Attacks!”, melding it with the unsettling charm of distorted animal and ghostly figure prints on a glossy finish. Inspired by the glass-blowing artisans of Murano, these pieces encapsulate the unexpected beauty born from the union of fashion and artisanal craftsmanship.
The collection wouldn’t be a true Acne Studios assortment without a touch of irreverence and surprise. From pink velour pants that defy all Barbiecore expectations to studded garment dyed dungarees and risqué swimwear, each piece served as a testament to Johansson’s bold creativity. The unexpected presence of leather wrap skirts, footprint-patterned knits, and the house soccer shirt added more dimensions to the designer’s unique artistic suitcase.
Johansson’s Venetian adventure reached its zenith in a deep purple, flared-collar doublet with a shirred waist – a nod to the New Romantic trend, symbolizing the art of dressing local and assimilating into foreign cultures. The Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2024 collection, thus, is not merely a fashion line, but a joyful expedition of sartorial self-discovery and reinvention, making every rail a pleasure to traverse.
Read more: Fendi Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 – Pitti Uomo 104
