KENT&CURWEN AW25

 

For AW25, KENT&CURWEN explores the idea of crossing thresholds — the space between the familiar and the unknown. Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ childhood adventures in Northern Ireland, where dressing up and storytelling were gateways to imagined worlds, the collection captures the tension between adolescence and self-actualization. Much like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia or crossing into the mythical Tír na nÓg, it’s about dressing for life’s transitions — outfitting ourselves for uncharted paths ahead.

 

Nostalgia offers comfort, with its familiar codes of dress acting as an anchor, using the known to shape something new. At its core, KENT&CURWEN remains rooted in quintessential British heritage — tailored blazers, trench coats, and sportswear — but questions what tradition is today. Silhouettes are intentionally undone: outerwear and suiting feature exaggerated shoulders for soft protection, and rugby hems extend into babydoll dresses, conjuring collegiate nostalgia and youthful innocence. Laminated tartans provide a tangible shield from the elements, while lion embroideries hidden in lace serve as quiet symbols for those who notice.

 

In an era of rapid reinvention, how do we define tradition? Is it a fixed idea, or does it reshape itself over time? Familiar patterns like herringbone, argyle, and sporting stripes are layered and disrupted, becoming touchstones — small acts of holding on as we venture into new territory.

 

Stories and fairytales often depict children stepping into adults’ shoes or oversized clothes — not just for play but to embody future selves or imagined identities. This sense of transformation runs through the collection, with clothing acting as a portal to fantasy, allowing wearers to envision those in-between moments
and who they might become.

Photography Credits: Filippo Fior

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