Winter Ocean Drive
Image courtesy of Davide Cossu
Image courtesy of Davide Cossu
There's something so captivating about the stillness and isolation of a beach during the winter months. As you watch the waves roll in, there are echoes of the masses, the laughter, and the flurry of the summer months. It may be colder and darker, but it holds a kind of intense beauty. And it's this combination of hypnotic yet extreme beauty that Mark Fast wanted to capture for his AW21 collection entitled Winter Ocean Drive. He took us on an imaginary journey along an ocean road, taking in the sea's breathtaking aesthetic, from crashing foam rolling over intense blues to the multi-coloured inhabitants that lay beneath.
The sea surrounds us, forever drawing us to it. Its constancy, textures, and palettes were the signature of this AW21 collection, reflecting our need for familiarity and stability during uncertainty. A place where nature and fantasy collide, where hidden treasures emerge from the darkest of places; creative flashes sparked from challenges.
As usual, the designer effortlessly combined demi-couture looks like his viscose jumpsuit with ready to wear pieces like his brushed cotton trench with Mark Fast intarsia scarf. Menswear channelled fishermen in rubber boots and layered coats, interspersed with streetwear elements like cropped oversize puffas to add grounded and playful touches.
“The palette was nautical in a spectrum of blue and rainbow brights like the ocean and its jewel-coloured creatures.”
Image courtesy of Chris Yates
Soft unisex knitwear comprised shearling and recycled synthetics representing the designer's optimism, and two-tone thigh-high rubber boots were tempered by feminine, figure-hugging dresses. The palette was nautical in a spectrum of blues with flashes of the intense colours, like the tropical creatures that light up the ocean’s deep.
The demi-couture looks were stunning and fresh. Flowing fringes represented the constant ebb of ocean life beneath its current; they flicked and swayed like crashing waves as models strutted. And iridescent discs and sequins caught the light like mermaid scales.
Image courtesy of Chris Yates
From Beyonce to Rihanna, many celebrities admire and wear Mark Fast's demi-couture pieces. Still, the designer has adapted to the changes in our circumstances and our wardrobes, offering more ready-to-wear pieces amidst his walking works of art. And it's this attention to detail and positivity that has fuelled his business's growth throughout the pandemic as he continues to engage with his community through his e-commerce site and his hugely successful flagship store in Beijing. With 10 more openings planned in the Asia Pacific this year, the brand continues to thrive and develop.
Image courtesy of Davide Cossu
Though the ability to embrace fantasy may have helped designers to stay positive through the darkness, Mark Fast AW21 is not only about the drive of dreams; it's about the drive that transforms one designer's vision into a reality and a global success.
See more of Mark Fast’s stunning designs on his site here.
Image courtesy of Chris Yates