“It’s about continuing our story, the Faith narrative,” said Faith Connexion’s president Maria Buccellati this morning in Paris, from an art-jammed penthouse apartment in a posh nook of the city. The setting, with its Takashi Murakami canvas and its ultra-modern furnishings, fit the co-presentation of men’s Fall and women’s Pre-Fall perfectly. All slick, jumbled, expensive wow factor.
There’s a welcome (and outright decadent) gender interplay with this brand, including, today, loosened and luxe blouses, flared or pajama pants, slouchy hoodies and boxers—all of it completely versatile. “You go to the store, and the women are in the men’s section, and vice versa!” Buccellati said. (She was referring to Faith Connexion’s new outpost in Soho, New York City.)
Layering and bedazzling and meshing developed further with both collections today. There were all-over sequined, wide-leg trousers made in collaboration with Kappa, and there were fabulously tailored blazers, needle-sharp and covered, on one lapel, with rhinestones. Studded boots, meticulously textured tweed capes, and velvet button-downs rounded out this kind of modern fantasy.
Faith Connexion’s hyper-blended m.o. isn’t for everyone, but, separated and sifted, it has found a loyal following of those that like to add a little glamour to their grunge or sparkle to their streetwear (see their recent collab with the Insta-star and utterly captivating Sita Abellan). It should be added that a series of dresses in the Pre-Fall grouping in particular dazzled above the rest: A lace-and-crystal minidress, but with added volume on one shoulder and around the back, was as close to neo-couture as we’ve seen (if you’re willing to accept a term such as neo-couture). A dressmaker was in the room sewing. As a model took a turn in the garment, everyone’s phones flew up. Stitching and snapping—the actions that fuel the Faith Connexion engine.
