I’ve been hunting for some style inspiration before I leave for my next adventure in Lagos, Nigeria. My hunt lead to the discovery of CHULAAP X PICHULIK: AW16 Runway #MakeArtNotWar Collection. The collection has military influences throughout the collection, from the colour palette and formal “uniform” silhouettes to custom military insignia pinned to jacket lapels. While vibrant prints make the collection quintessential CHULAAP, African blankets emphasise the truly African inspiration.
Chu Suwannapha takes the hard military aesthetic and turns it into something beautiful, the collection truly embodies the title #MakeArtNotWar.The collaboration with bespoke accessory designer Katherine-Mary Pichulik of PICHULIK, produced headsets that combine an urban afro aesthetic with tech in the most wonderful way.
Katherine-Mary Pichulik of PICHULIK said, “#MakeArtNotWar has an Afro-zen military feel to it. I was inspired by the graphic contemporary take on African textiles and the shapes and palettes of the blankets. The large tassled headsets evoke Asian military styles and bring austerity to the collection. I tried to turn traditional military symbols into ornaments by turning cartridges into gold embellishments, making military backpacks cheeky and playful, and giving the headsets gold-encrusted tassels.”
