LES BENJAMINS Fall-Winter 2023: ‘First Wave’ Collection Sets the Stage for a Futuristic Desert Dream

From Istanbul to Seoul: LES BENJAMINS Makes a Splash in South Korea

In a fashion landscape filled with familiar landscapes and conventional designs, LES BENJAMINS dares to transcend the ordinary. For their Fall-Winter 2023 collection, aptly named ‘First Wave,’ the Istanbul-based fashion powerhouse under the visionary leadership of Creative Director Bunyamin Aydin envisions an abstract and visually striking journey beyond Earth’s boundaries. The result? A breathtaking fusion of sci-fi futurism, traditional Eastern culture, and post-apocalyptic chic.

Imagine a world where the last inhabitants of Earth have ventured out into the unknown, leaving behind a nostalgia for their home planet. This is the essence of LES BENJAMINS’ ‘First Wave.’ Drawing inspiration from an imagined desert landscape, the collection is an artistic exploration of what the first colony away from Earth might look like. It’s a tantalising blend of future-forward aesthetics and Eastern cultural symbols, featuring the iconic LES BENJAMINS carpet monogram.

With a focus on protection and functionality, the collection boasts second-skin body armor, technical military silhouettes in sumptuous materials like leather, silk, and crepe. Hardware and tech details, including patches, tubes, and drawstrings, adorn oversized rave-style silhouettes, creating a bold, rebellious look.

The colour palette for both men’s and women’s pieces takes a melancholic turn, featuring deep, earthy tones like mahogany, swamp, and sylvan green. But there’s a twist of cyberpunk optimism with flashes of abstract neons and acid-washes in over-exposed Pantones. It’s a reflection of humanistic hope set against a dystopian backdrop.

Bunyamin Aydin, the driving force behind the brand, expressed his long-held dream of bringing LES BENJAMINS to Seoul, stating, “Both Korean and Japanese cultures have had a major influence on my upbringing in Germany.”

For its South Korean debut, LES BENJAMINS has partnered with the innovative retail concept store, EMPTY, for a pop-up opening on September 6th. This coincides with the prestigious Frieze Art Fair season, attracting global attention and influential figures from the creative industry.

FAULTLess photographer Cho Gi-Seok captures the ‘First Wave’ collection, bridging the visual narrative in an out-of-this-world shoot which further enhances the campaign. With an epic creative team and visuals as powerful as the collection is FAULTless, LES BENJAMINS has produced what might just be there best collection yet!