Cultural globalisation lies at the heart of the BLUEMARBLE universe, a brand aptly named after the planet we call home. With his latest collection, designer Anthony Alvarez explored our increasingly interconnected world through the lens of the butterfly effect—the idea that a single action can spark a ripple of profound change. This narrative unfolded through his imagined vaqueros, the rugged cowboys of Spanish origin who, through colonisation, became enduring symbols of masculinity in Latin America and the Philippines.
Embroidered workwear and cowboy boots in weathered leather and supple suede conjured the spirit of rugged landscapes—vast, sun-scorched plains and wind-carved canyons steeped in the enduring mythos of resilience and freedom. Graphic T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Countryside is for lovers’, souvenirs one might purchase at a petrol station on a road trip through the plains of America, captured the romance of the open road. Nostalgia ran rife through souvenir patches sewn onto exaggerated neckerchiefs, evoking boy-scout uniforms and harking back to a youthful sense of adventure and camaraderie—a formative time in discovering one’s masculine identity and worldly curiosity.
Unexpected layering—a hallmark of BLUEMARBLE—was taken to new heights this season, with nylon windbreakers tucked beneath wool overcoats trimmed in luxurious fur. Bold colour palettes of fuchsia and cyan were sandwiched between a deep, wolfish brown, which appeared in one look as a grounding contrast to the vivid hues of the others. For Alvarez, realism is merely a suggestion; his surreal colour palette, with its interplay of natural tones and striking shades, emphasised his exploration of an imagined wardrobe world. This theme of comfort and protection was further explored through substantial overcoats, featuring quilted sleeves and robust shearling, offering a sense of both refuge and resilience.
A collaboration with UGG served as the exclamation point to Alvarez’s shearling fascination this season in the form of bespoke footwear. The Southern California-based brand gave the designer free rein to reimagine the classic silhouettes as an exercise in craft and community, with hand-embellishment and intricate detailing elevating the styles into statements of global artistry. The beading continued in the finale, draped across the face, evoking a sense of mysticism. The imaginary ceremonial dress ties together the themes of protection and performativity, cascading with movement, creating an almost pagan aesthetic that blurs the line between ritual and fashion.
This collection celebrated the world’s shared cultural heritage while embracing individuality. Alvarez, himself a cultural melting pot having been born in New York and raised by a French mother and Filipino/Spanish father, could easily feel jaded about cultural cross-pollination and its origins, yet he approaches it with nothing but an eye for the eclectic and respect for the timeless. Ultimately, the motifs, devoid of appropriation, are rather a celebration of what is—and more importantly, what could be.