An Vandevorst and Filip Arickx: “The prime inspiration for spring/summer 2011 is armour. Although armour plays a very important role in most of our collections, we took its significance a step further, which lead us to the use of actual metal in the collection. We used metal in different forms and textures; from its rather liquid appearance over knit metal, to metal plating and sequins.”
A strange mysticism surrounds combat elephants. They were never publicised in paintings from the 18th and 19th century and barely feature in books retelling the tales of battle. Elephant armour is made of sheet iron panels and chainmail decorated with depictions of fish, elephants and peacocks. The armour was so heavy it would have taken three men to lift the headpiece and place it on the animal’s head. AF Vandevorst has spent a lot of time developing their signature nod towards amoury, and it’s taken to new heights this season.
Text by Hollie Lacayo
