The Hong Kong designer came to Paris to present his Homme collection, Spring/Summer 14. Powerfully inspired by Alan Parker’s film Birdy, he likes to envision a world of bird-men. Not quite caged, not quite free, they tend to free themselves from their condition. A few silhouette details demonstrate this unusual state. Round shoulders and cut-outs evoke the animal before flight.
A play of materials revives this allusion to birds. One of the shirts in the collection features solid colors in a variety of materials.
The specific juxtaposition of colors creates the optical illusion of plumage. Here, the collar and its atypically tapered, pointed shape resemble a beak. 
Further on, the printed stripes of a shirt, presented in opposition, maintain the illusion of a cage. 
This cotton organza, with its weaving of tone-on-tone stripes, poetically conveys this inextricable absolute of freedom.
The mix of colors, from pastels to intense hues, is an invitation to contemplate the bird of paradise. The idealized bird, exotic or otherwise, is like an evocation of the soul, called to be free.
The chains are present, materialized by various jewels, but it doesn’t matter, they’ve already been broken.
Titi Kwan is determined to make men’s fashion more creative and playful. However, he never abandons his assertive, almost uncompromising style. He plays with his talent, poking fun at the limits imposed by clothing. A black frock coat first appears classic, then suddenly reveals itself. If you look closely, you can see a zip in the back. In an instant, this splits the piece in two, ‘freeing’ a short jacket. The notion of surprise shines through, as if life undeniably offers loopholes,…
Pants and shorts offer an impressive range.
From body-hugging slim-fit pants to 80s-style pegged pants, from long shorts to very short ones, everyone should be able to find their references and satisfy their aesthetic choices.
Beyond fashion, there’s a poetry, a concept. Undeniably, Titi Kwan frees herself from boring diktats and creates in a beautiful way.
Photo credits Cristofoli Press, Sofia LAFAYE
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
