If regrets are lessons we haven’t learned yet, then fashion’s current crash course in improved practice should lead to a less remorseful future. The Slovak brand Nehera is just one pupil in this process, and as owner Ladislav Zdút put it the main takeaway at his company has been, “Less is beautiful.” He said that the company has long contemplated refining and reducing its output, but added that “sometimes we just haven’t been brave enough to try.” This season, both in the variety of fabrications and number of styles produced, necessity forced Nehera to fewer SKUs. The result? Increased sales.
This new focus on value rather than numbers was nicely displayed in the purposefully crinkled pieces that were meant to reflect the chosen mode of storage for precious garments—folded and pressed into trunks—when Nehera’s forebear factory was founded in the 19th century. Zdút said there was a loose consideration of pagan rituals in the collection, but rather than some murderously Midsommar vibe this translated into a loosely languid and tangibly organic feeling that ran from washed denim tailoring through to raw-edged linen outerwear and dresses. A floral on chiffon print and strokes of shocking pink and sky blue provided variation in what was otherwise a carefully mustered muesli of naturally-hued neutrals and matte monochrome. Pared back and thought through, this collection seemed a beautifully less selection of partner pieces just perfect for the pleasurable ritual of wearing.
