Recently I came across a new line of menswear out of Denmark. I thought the best way to introduce you to the label, uncommon creatures, was for the designers to present themselves in their own words:
“uncommon creatures AW 10 is the debut fashion collection created by Copenhagen-based duo Christina Højris Ottosen and Jens Kold-Christensen.
‘The inspiration to the AW10 collection occurred on a very random Monday evening. I’m sitting in the subway heading for Brooklyn, when a young orthodox Jew enters the train and sits down right in front of me. I can’t help but stare at his snake curls and his huge black hat. He obviously noticed my starring and responds with a nod and a ”Yeah, I know.” I immediately start playing with the possibility of creating a fashion collection inspired by orthodox Jewish style. And here we are.’ (Jens Kold-Christensen)
The silhouette of uncommon creatures is avant-garde and raw while keeping a high degree of simplicity.
The AW10 collection sends the wearer on an anachronistic journey where essential aesthetic elements of various Judaistic societies are used as a central theme. This is visualised and expressed both through simple styles, the recognisable hats, and lengths but also through knitwear depicting orthodox Jews and east orthodox crosses. All styles are created in a dark and monochrome colour scheme.
In terms of CSR, uncommon creatures does not use organic fabrics, neither do we pay Indian child labourers an extra cent a week. Instead, uncommon creatures has chosen to use the already existing Danish textile industry by using Danish produce, importers and manufacturers, so as not to outsource the entire production of the collection.”
Photo, slideshow & text Copyright uncommon creatures.