Debuting today (October 27) is KNWLS’ latest campaign starring Julia Fox. Shot by Elizaveta Porodina, the actress has been iconised in a series of looks from Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault’s autumn/winter 2023 collection, ‘Precious’.
KNWLS is intangible. The brand represents the not-your-everyday ‘It Girl’ offering extroverted attire fit for a vixen. Designing strappy and slick garments with skin-revealing cut-outs and an abundance of studs, the brand embraces edginess and futuristic design.
The collection, Precious, is inspired by cybergoths and scene-girl kitsch combined with the duo’s trademark moodiness and clubwear aesthetic. From slinky sequin mini dresses and denim slacks to strappy, barely-there slip tops, snatched corsets, knitted cardigans and sultry slashed mesh frocks, catsuits and cut-out tops—the collection riffs on a combination of uncompromising utilitarianism and hyper-femininity.
They dubbed Precious, the collection riffs on the hardened exoskeleton of cybergoth gals and scene-girl kitsch paired with the perfect moodiness of the duo’s signature clubwear aesthetic. Think slinky sequin mini dresses and slouchy leather or denim slacks mingling with slashed mesh frocks, catsuits and cut-out tops. While the studded v-line abbreviated mini skirts take on a grungy glitz sense. The fur earth-tone leg warmers, cuffed by belts just below the knee, give this collection a utilitarian feel to it.
In a play on contradictory textures, transparency, and proportion, Knowles and Arsenault distorted sharp, architectural silhouettes to create a cohort of heavily knitted jackets that resemble armour on the models. Certainly not a look for the faint-hearted- there is a noticeably darker edge to this collection compared to previous collections with daunting shades of taupe, black, turquoise and dulled ambers. Knowles and Arsenault said Julia Fox is “an icon of our time” who embodies the brand’s values, which are “strong, unapologetic and authentic.” Fox has been spotted regularly in KNWLS looks over the past year, so her involvement in the campaign feels natural. Now catch her glowing on the red carpet as KNWLS’ newest muse.
As poised and mesmerising as ever, Fox shows her daring side as she poses in a revealing black mesh lingerie-style co-ord to a KNWLS signature hyper-low, hip-bone exposing mini skirt. “The concept was about creating this chaotic, post-apocalyptic fantasy world where our woman survives and thrives,” say the two designers. However, there is also a new sense of rebellion and free-spiritedness surrounding the line.
“The collection is inspired by many of our interests coming together as usual – it evolved into something quite eclectic, especially with the initial inspiration of Fruits magazine and Harajuku street style silhouettes and textures,” Arsenault explains.
The contrast between sweet and spiky was highlighted by voluminous fringed knits, corseted biker jackets made of bespoke leather, and brushed mohair cardigans. “Our woman is more daring and unpredictable with her wardrobe. She’s an uneasy combination of ‘cute’ but… equally dangerous, untouchable, and not to be underestimated,” adds Knowles. The designers also decided to make a short film to accompany the collection. Filmed in Essex and directed by Jordan Hemingway, the short film begins with models dressed in KNWLS strutting in a fast past, almost floating through the air, accompanied by choppy, breathy noises. The reverie is enhanced by fast-changing scenes, close-up shots of subjects moving backwards through multiple doors, and upbeat techno music.
Words by Chanelle Jassim
Header Image: KNWLS
