Heritage, tradition and craftsmanship are dominant themes within Spring Summer, as this season appears to unfold the deeper roots behind K.O.Is attention to Japanese detail and emphases upon American work wear. This is best illustrated within the denim patchwork dungarees, a-line button down skirt and denim pinafore dress, synonymous with the dress of laboring women, who worked the fields c. WW1 and a nod to the liberation of women.
This utilitarian laborer aesthetic is continued in the Breton stipe which accents the collection. The stripe was first introduced to the French Navy in Great Britain and is now widely associated with Coco Chanel and her influence in liberating women from the constraints of the cinched silhouette. Further military references are channeled by the military field jacket, inspired by the original M65 jacket, and androgynous Chambray shirting, offering a cooler alternative to denim in the height of summer.
Japanese influences are also introduced into SS16 through The Kings interpretation of an old Japanese indigo check fabric from the early 1900’s. With its irregularities there’s an added charm to the collection, as the check adorns a linen kimono style belted shirt and similar styled dress. This injects Japanese workwear staples into the collection.
The denim soul of the brand, remains a strong focal point of the collection, as K.O.I’s classic styles are celebrated within the Royal Core section of the brand, while new high rise flare and oversized flare styles help to introduce more shapes into the collection.
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