Siki Im

This third Siki Im collection is inspired by the notion of isolation and integration driven by the physical, emotional and political context of immigration. A forest of concrete social housing buildings at the periphery that provide an oppressive landscape is the backdrop of this emotionally charged subject. This image portrays minorities detached from Western society with differences in values and customs in European and American urban cities. Immigrants are trying to build a new living space that might be reminiscent of one's origins and heritage -a hermetically closed space that argues the foreignty of the new environment, or the environment argues the new settlers. They want to keep tradition and values of their ancestors, accustom and adjust but face social, economical and physical barriers. This dichotomy and friction in hope of integration manifest and opens a new culture of its own. This new identity is a sign for respect, freedom and tolerance. It is also a reflection of globalization and modernity.
This season's collection reflects this dialectic approach with references of the protagonists from the social-critical film "La Haine " by Mathieu Kassovitz : bomber jackets, jogging pants, shorts, caps are present but fabricated in luxurious washed and dyed silks. Quilting techniques of armor and tradition are applied on trench coats, shorts and embellished on the new silhouettes of tees. These highly detailed garments are paired with cropped hand-tailored blazers in Super 130s or Wool-Silk, long gowns and tunic shirts in cotton or silk, and a voluminous dropped crotch pant. This juxtaposition of different styles that are emblematic of Western and an ethnic culture allow for new shapes and proportions. While the overall feeling might at times reflect a street influence, the construction of the garments stays true to architect-turned-designer Siki Im ’s signature minimalism and purity in design. It is indeed the designers unique vision that is able to transcend the usually stigmatized immigrant style and to elevate it to a statement of modernity : proposing a synthesis of opposing cultural paradigms, old and new, tradition and subculture.