Campaign image from Chaos & Harmony’s new Shibusa collection.
Chaos & Harmony recently released the first drop of their stunning Shibusa collection for spring/summer 2017-18 which has an elegant, Japanese-inspired feel. In late 2016, the brand’s creative director Rebecca Anderson and operations manager Hayley Fruish spent time in Tokyo and Kyoto soaking up the fascinating culture and aesthetic that makes Japan such a unique place and getting inspiration for their latest collection.
“We were particularly inspired by the Japanese approach to design. Items that were entirely utilitarian in nature were still beautifully designed,” Rebecca says. “Then we stumbled upon the concept of shibusa and it was like something clicked. So much of what makes items shibui is what drives our design anyway. It perfectly aligned with our brand values.”
Shibusa is a Japanese concept that is defined as an enriched, subdued appearance or experience of intrinsically fine quality with economy of form, line and effort, producing a timeless tranquility. Shibusa has seven elements – simplicity, implicity, modesty, silence, naturalness, everydayness and imperfection, which is an interesting place to start from when designing a collection and comes through in Chaos & Harmony’s winsome yet practical footwear.
“Most of our shoes balance simplicity with complexity anyway. It’s those small design details that make a style so distinctly Chaos & Harmony,” Rebecca says. This season’s colours include dusky pink, soft grey, baby blue, burgundy and classic black, tan and nude. As with all Chaos & Harmony footwear each piece is impeccably crafted with textured leathers and hand-painting featuring on modern styles that are as comfortable to wear as they are beautiful to look at it. More styles from Shibusa will be arriving regularly in stores and online over the next few months .
Images supplied.