KRYSVINCZI:
THE FUTURE OF MENSWEAR
INTERVIEWED by
CHICHI
NYANGONI
Pictured from the left: Model Miguel and Krysvinczi's Krystian; wearing Krysvinczi. Photographer: Lucy Szulinska
IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A REVOLUTION IN THE REALM OF MENSWEAR.
AROUND THE WORLD, DESIGNERS HAVE BEEN BENDING THE RULES AND CONSTRAINTS OF CLASSIC MENSWEAR AND CREATING INNOVATIVE, INTRIGUING DESIGNS THAT DRIVE MENSWEAR INTO THE FUTURE.
AN UP & COMING BRAND DOING EXACTLY THIS IS KRYSVINCZI.
KRYSTIAN
VINCENT
MODE: Whereabouts in the world are you based?
KRYSVINCZI: We are based in Warsaw, Poland and Berlin, Germany.
Please tell us a little about yourselves! Who is behind Krysvinczi?
Krysvinczi is created by a gay couple, Vincent Ludwig and Krystian Sokolowski. We met many years ago in Amsterdam, during our design studies. Immediately we fell in love with each other, began living and working together on all kinds of creative projects. This collaboration led to a graduation work that inspired us to create a fashion identity and devote all our attention to the creation of our business.
What inspired the concept of Krysvinczi?
The concept behind Krysvinczi is based on an idea of reinventing masculinity through fashion.
"It’s the idea of merging two worlds, one of classic, traditional and sophisticated tailoring with the roughness of the rave subculture."
Most importantly Krysvinczi aims to create a wardrobe for a contemporary man.
Photographer: Lucy Szulinska Post-Edit: Herman Fralou
Your instagram tagline states; “Redesigning tradition on the German-Polish border”. Could you tell our readers who are predominantly based in New Zealand and USA of what the current style/tradition is and what you want to change about it?
Freedom, artistry and hedonism are most probably the main characteristics Berlin is known for worldwide. Everyone who comes to the city immediately feels the vibe of non-conformity, as this is a place to freely express yourself without guilt or judgement. This is why we decided to open our studio in exactly this city.
Not far from Berlin you will find the border to Poland, home country of Krystian. The location where our fashion is manufactured. This synthesis is a great metaphor as Vincent comes from Germany, which gives the direction of our brand a poetic and romantic twist.
With creations such as your suits in the red lava print, your menswear steers in the direction I hope for the future of menswear. How do you stay innovative in your creations?
Art is a metaphysical matter. What is fascinating about it is that very often we do not know what we are learning from it until we create it. That process happens through intuition that guides the creativity.
"The privilege of artists is that they get to find themselves over and over again through their work."
If they stay sincere and true to themselves they might get lucky and create something contemporary.
Photographer: Lucy Szulinska Post-Edit: Herman Fralou
Can you tell us more about your collection Prince of Europe?
Prince of Europe is an alter ego that presents everything that we both value.
He is a contradiction embodying two states of being: a role model and a relatable villain. In his world he manifests the love for glamorous decadence and brutalist decay, telling a story of a prince that escapes the palace to join the underground rave culture.
What are your current sources of inspiration as designers?
The collection is inspired through imagining Prince of Europe in different situations of his life. The racer jacket shows him on a motorcycle, the sleeveless Banker is an outfit he wears to the bank, the Clubber accessory collection are the looks he parties in and the baroque shirt (Barokowy) is just something that he throws on when he is back in the palace to have a tea with his mother.
Photographer: Samuel Fabia Post-Edit: Vincent Ludwig
We are super excited about the upcoming launch of your online store! What can shoppers expect to find in there, learn about you and will you ship to New Zealand?
On our online store people can expect an essential yet diverse selection of items that in their totality represent an entire wardrobe.
"As all of our fabrics and hardware are custom made, you can learn about our tremendous passion for beauty which is expressed through our commitment to the finest detail".
Most importantly you can find out that everyone can enjoy our aesthetic since we are shipping worldwide including New Zealand.
Going back to the epic Red Lava tailored suit (which is my favourite); what is the importance of colour in your brand?
The red lava design is one of the highlights of our collection. You can see it returning in several looks as it is also one of our favourites. Black, red and white are the main colours used in this collection and underline a theme of demonic glamour and a mysterious power.
What is your hope for the future of menswear?
We hope that the world of menswear fashion will keep expanding as it has in previous years. As designers of Krysvinczi we made it our mission to make that happen.
Photographer: Samuel Fabia Post-Edit: Vincent Ludwig
MY FAVOURITE KRYSVINCZI PIECES:
FIND MORE ON KRYSVINCZI.COM
