Robert Wun FW24 – A Journey Through Time and Couture
Robert Wun FW24 ‘Time’ Collection
Robert Wun’s Fall-Winter 2024 collection marks a significant milestone for the designer, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his label. Aptly titled “Time,” this collection delves into the concept of time and its effects on our ephemeral world, showcasing Wun’s mastery of couture through a series of stunning and thought-provoking designs.
The collection opens with a majestic black gown adorned with a matching veil embroidered in crystals, symbolizing the first snowfall of winter. Winter, a season synonymous with reflection, sets the tone for the collection. This snowy effect is also seen in a shredded and mended coat, using a kintsugi-like technique to create a craquelure effect from which butterfly appliqués emerge, symbolizing hope and beauty arising from decay.
As the collection progresses, the sinuous black mermaid dress with a tight-fitted bodice embroidered in pink cherry blossoms heralds the arrival of spring. In Chinese philosophy, the fleeting nature of flowers is celebrated, emphasizing beauty in its impermanence. This theme of decay continues with visible burns on the hems of a vibrant yellow three-piece ensemble in plissé silk, representing the erosion caused by time. Wun’s innovative technique involves burning, scanning, printing, and re-burning fabric to achieve this unique effect.
The narrative of time culminates in the final four looks, representing the skin, flesh, bones, and soul. These pieces demonstrate a progressive stripping away of physical and spiritual layers. The flesh is depicted by a blood-red sheath covered in standing bugle beads, creating a spiked appearance. The bones are represented by a skin-tight black jumpsuit topped with a half-skeleton mannequin, which moves ominously with each step. This literal representation contrasts with the soul, envisioned as a trailing veiled gown with layers of tulle embroidered with multicolored crystals.
Wun’s penchant for horror, a recurring theme in his work, is evident in the design of the flesh and bone outfits. This fascination with the macabre was also a prominent feature in his Spring-Summer 2024 collection, where horror elements were seamlessly blended with elegance. Read more about Robert Wun’s SS24 collection here.
Throughout the FW24 collection, Wun explores the passage of time through the progression of seasons, symbolizing life’s cycles. His designs feature wide-brimmed hats and vivid mermaid skirts on sculpted silhouettes, adding to the collection’s dramatic and theatrical effect. Butterfly appliqués on kintsugi coats symbolize metamorphosis and nature’s awakening, while pink cherry blossom embroidery on monochrome gowns highlights the beauty of impermanence.
The Robert Wun FW24 final piece, a trailing veiled gown with layers of tulle and multicolored crystals, serves as a visual metaphor for reconnecting with our spiritual selves and finding peace in the continuity of existence. Wun’s theatrical tableaux celebrate the beauty found in each moment and embrace life’s impermanence, a core philosophy reflected in his designs.
In the realm of haute couture, Robert Wun’s FW24 collection stands as a testament to a decade of innovation, growth, and unyielding creativity. His exploration of time, conveyed through stunning craftsmanship and evocative silhouettes, leaves an indelible mark on the fashion landscape, inviting fashion enthusiasts to embrace the eerie beauty of his world.