Brand Selection: ÆNRMÒUS
Deconstructivism, a fashion movement that originated in the 1980s and 1990s, has recently made a significant impact on the contemporary fashion industry. This style emphasizes the use of clothing's structure as an integral element of design, often featuring asymmetrical designs, intentionally unfinished appearances, and distressed textiles. A key characteristic of deconstructivism is its resistance to fixed rules or regulations, embracing fluid and ever-evolving interpretations of beauty. The brand we’re going to talk about, ÆNRMÒUS (Aenrmous), perfectly exemplifies this approach to fashion. For those interested in item selection, feel free to scroll down to the second half of the article.
ÆNRMÒUS first entered the fashion scene in 2021 as an "artisanal techwear" brand. Even within the realm of deconstructivism, the brand has showcased boldly experimental designs. In addition to the typical elements of deconstructivist fashion, ÆNRMÒUS has elevated the style by introducing highly distorted silhouettes and exotic features, resulting in clothing that often appears otherworldly.
Promo video for ÆNRMÒUS SS24
ÆNRMÒUS keenly understands trends and their customers' needs, building new and exciting designs atop popular silhouettes such as functional workwear, loose-fit pants, and detachable or modular pockets. This approach allows them to create unique pieces that are innovative yet practical, avoiding the extremes often reserved for runway shows.
ÆNRMÒUS takes an inspiring approach to designing their clothes, basing each season's concepts on different eras. Their FW22 and SS23 collections, titled "3022," envision fashion in a futuristic setting. This year, the FW23 and SS24 collections are themed "1023," depicting the aesthetics of a more ancient era. Despite the 2000-year difference between these collections, ÆNRMÒUS adeptly creates designs that reflect contemporary values through vastly different visual languages.
My Top Picks:
Here are some of my favorite picks from their collections. The Blossoming Pants (Beige) exemplify the perfect balance between runway design and ready-to-wear. The intricate weaving pattern introduces a fresh, novel element, while the loose fit and monotone design align with current trends, making the overall design innovative yet approachable.
I am particularly fond of the design on the Hyperconvex M01 (Brown). Unlike most deconstructed garments, which focus on removing, destructing, or deforming the original apparel, ÆNRMÒUS took an opposite approach with this hoodie by incorporating the technique of addition. They sewed two tube-like paddings into the hoodie, creating layered curved patterns with a striking visual impact. Additionally, as part of the 3022 collection, this design exudes a futuristic feel, effectively capturing the essence of the collection.
Finally, I want to highlight their outstanding mask designs. Though most are likely created for promotional photos rather than for sale, they deserve appreciation for how effectively they translate the concepts behind each collection into visual representations. Below are some of the amazing mask designs featured across several collections.
