Moncler Genius Swipe Into The Future with Gentle Monster
The South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster have always been poised for the digital future which is fast becoming our reality. Previously collaborating with Hood by Air, Ambush and Marine Serre, together with Xander Zhou on a film premiered on SHOWstudio, the world Gentle Monster envision is one we create collectively. Last September, they unveiled a fully-fledged collection encompassing eyewear, plus clothing and accessories, as part of the Moncler Genius project. Inspired by the concept of the swipe, the primary action with which we interact with our digital devices, the 25 look collection debuted at the MONDOGENIUS event, which was streamed across 30 platforms worldwide, with K-pop artist and actor Hwang Minhyun featuring in Gentle Monster's presentation.
Swiping 'denotes emotions, instant gratification, and approval in the online world', the brands highlighted in a statement. For Gentle Monster's Moncler Genius collection, select 'Swipe LCD' eyewear pieces feature swiping mechanisms on the frame which double up as closures. They've stretched and elongated the Moncler logo to imitate the swipe action, distorting it with a futuristic outlook as wearers interact with a LCD screen featuring built-in touch sensors on the left temple, which can be 'swiped' to reveal different Moncler and Gentle Monster logos and motion graphics.
Black hooded down jackets and recycled nylon and polyester shell jackets put a spin on the Moncler staple 'down' jacket, upon which a number of designers are invited each year to reinterpret as part of the Moncler Genius project, launched by CEO Remo Ruffini in 2018. An all black palette highlights the playful silhouettes in the collection, from eyewear through to the jackets which are belted with industrial straps. These create cinched waists, plus hourglass and mermaid tail silhouettes, proposing an elegance which sits alongside the urban sensibilities of technical tops, trousers and t-shirts. Hoods are made from recycled polyester, with responsible fabric choices also reflected in the accessories, where pouches and bags are made from recycled nylon.
A pop-up space launches to mark the release of the collection at Gentle Monster's Seoul HAUS concept store, with a series of installations exploring the hybrid of physical and digital. The space is open 5 - 31 May 2022.
