AREA PRE-FALL 23

In a surprising twist, Piotrek Panszczyk of Area found inspiration in butterflies for the pre-fall collection, despite harboring a dislike for the delicate creatures. It was precisely his aversion that made them so intriguing to him. “I love delving into things that I personally don’t connect with and making them my own,” he explained. Reflecting on their previous iconic ’90s-Mariah Carey-Salma Hayek style, Panszczyk aimed to flip the script and venture into new territory, especially after their moodier runway show.

While a bedazzled butterfly-shaped going-out top made an appearance, the collection predominantly explored fresh avenues. A standout piece was a black cropped tailored jacket with contrasting white oversized lapels, skillfully capturing an abstract butterfly silhouette. Another tailored button-front jacket adorned with two white butterfly appliqués, reminiscent of bows, set the tone for the collection. It exuded playfulness with a touch of seriousness, embodying the spirit of a sophisticated lady, even if paired with high-cut black bikini underwear.

Panszczyk demonstrated his ability to cater to various commercial categories, infusing Area’s signature style with a unique flair that elevated the garments to fashion-forward offerings. For the sporty set, a black t-shirt with a butterfly cutout in the middle, paired with matching leggings featuring a butterfly cutout around the upper thigh, showcased the designer’s meticulous attention to detail in perfecting the revealing designs.

Denim pieces stole the show this season, with separates crafted from raw Japanese denim featuring cutouts and butterfly appliqués made from the same fabric. A denim jacket, bustier mini dress, and mini skirt took on a groovy hand-drawn butterfly print in vibrant shades of purple, pink, white, and black against a green background embellished with crystal butterflies. Notably, a powder blue washed-denim jacket with crystal-embroidered “moth holes” caught attention, evoking the idea of a butterfly transforming into a moth under the cover of night.

The depth of research was evident in the colorblock ponte jersey separates, particularly in a long gown with a chest cutout and playful circular cutouts on the shoulders and knees. The design journey began with an exploration of the antlers butterflies possess, evolving into a ’70s geometric jewelry aesthetic before arriving at a psychedelic feel reminiscent of Stephen Burrows. Even without their signature 3D architectural details, Panszczyk showed that he could have just as much fun designing for the human body in its natural form.

Piotrek Panszczyk’s imaginative approach to the butterfly theme breathed new life into Area’s pre-fall collection. It was a testament to his ability to transform an unexpected source of inspiration into fashion that captivates and delights, pushing the boundaries of their distinctive style while maintaining a sense of joy and playfulness.