Loewe announces Studio Ghibli collaboration and we have the images from My Neighbour Totoro capsule collection
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Ready, set, go! Fans of Studio Ghibli would be pleased to know Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe is dropping their My Neighbour Totoro capsule collection this 8 January 2021, and we’ve got the imagery to share with you.
Born from a mutual love of craft and artisanal techniques, expressed in different languages, the capsule collection celebrates the naivety and immediacy of the heart-warming film’s familiar characters – qualities that have made My Neighbour Totoro a true cultural landmark beloved by children and adults.
Celebrating similar values such as nature, the world outdoors and a sense of perpetual invention, the capsule collection overlaps with the animated film, thus serving as an ode to preserving harmony that’s discovered in the most magical of ways.
“There is a natural longing for heartwarming feelings right now. When I think of a movie that affords me that kind of solace, speaking just as directly to a child as it does to an adult, that movie is My Neighbor Totoro. The story of Mei and Satsuki’s friendship with the magical Totoro and his cohorts, the mischievous dust bunnies, who can’t be seen by adults but only by the children who love them, is truly touching. It is a product of craft in the form of an animated movie.” - Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Loewe
The capsule collection features My Neighbour Totoro’s adorable characters including the fuzzy black dust bunnies and the huge, round Totoro in a myriad of ways. The band of wood spirits and the fantasy landscapes that they inhabit are skilfully interpreted as prints, allover prints, jacquard intarsia and leather marquetry.
With loose volume and relaxed shapes, the collection evokes a feeling of comfort in a vibrant colour palette with touches of monochrome and iconic tan. From T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts to jumpers and culottes, and even biker jackets, the fluidity of the collection exudes a distinctively youthful air through four main motifs:
Totoro Family
With Loewe’s well-known leather marquetry or ‘intarsia’ technique, the forest spirit animals are charmingly worked onto iconic handbags such as the Puzzle and Hammock, as well as small leather goods. The bright colour palette that brings forth the nature of the animation is balanced by the use of neutral tan.
The whimsical motifs are also crafted onto vibrant t-shirts and sweatshirts with Totoro prints and embroidery details.
Magic Tree
The Camphor tree where Totoro is often found napping is reinterpreted in the form of a tote bag with rich and tactile tapestry embroidery. These tapestry panels are also imposed in the women’s ready-to-wear, in relaxed and elongated silhouettes. The sweater, in particular, incorporates textured jacquard with a mix of different yarns, with the Totoro embroidered patch applied by hand onto the knit to evoke the sense of Totoro resting on the magic tree.
Dust Bunnies
The dust bunnies selection embodies the sweet and playful nature of these charming fictitious spirits. Each of the pieces incorporates intricate details such as textured motifs, all-over embroidery and mohair pom-poms for added dimensions and character to the ready-to-wear. Set against the neutral tan colour palette, it allows the dust bunnies to stand out even more.
Signature handbags and small leather goods such as the Balloon Bag and Basket Bag are taken over by these creatures as well. The Dust bunnies are crafted in marquetry and a mix of textures including suede and smooth calf.
Landscapes
With the Sayama Hills being the source of inspiration that led to the creation of My Neighbour Totoro, the beauty of the forest and its whimsical tranquillity sets the stage for the landscape pieces in the collection, with forest creatures embroidered or painted on by hand.
There is also a great selection of themed accessories for those who want a little touch of nature.
Loewe x My Neighbor Totoro capsule collection will be available online and in-stores from 8 January 2021.
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