Voracious Appetites Seeking Easily Categorized Clothing (“menswear”-“womenswear”-“sportswear” et al.) should shy away from Nicopanda. The cultish label's inaugural RTW collection, designed by Lady Gaga BFF and former Mugler creative director, Nicola Formichetti, is "Harajuku meets downtown New York." It's also entirely unisex—eluding sartorial strictures and embracing a type of dress the Opening Ceremony fan knows a thing or two about.
While the portmanteau Nicopanda is Formichetti's nickname (he is a self-professed "Asian bear," the panda), it also reminds us of a crossbreed between Necco Wafer and Hello Panda—hinting at the cross-cultural, myriad inspirations at play here: think Formichetti's Italian-Japanese roots, his homebases in both downtown New York and London (recall his splash as the fashion director for Dazed & Confused), and his love for international streetwear. "Low-culture luxe," as the brand dubs it.
Each piece—crafted from a palette of baby blues and pinks, icing whites, and satin and chiffon blacks—only reinforces the theory. The details are a study in contrasts, sometimes literally like in the matching Patchwork Shirt and Pant. Elsewhere, the satin bows and ruffled hems are Lolita-like (i.e. the Tie-Waist Ruffled Collar Dress and the Organza Ruffle Bomber); the black fishnet and color-blocked skinny jeans channel Punk Brittania.
"This is a collection for a try-anything culture," Nicola said in a recent press release. "You're either brave enough to wear it, or you're not."
P.S. Take a peek at the brand's Instagram and you'll see a few fun filters and sticker treatments. Nicola's must-download photo apps are Ble
While the portmanteau Nicopanda is Formichetti's nickname (he is a self-professed "Asian bear," the panda), it also reminds us of a crossbreed between Necco Wafer and Hello Panda—hinting at the cross-cultural, myriad inspirations at play here: think Formichetti's Italian-Japanese roots, his homebases in both downtown New York and London (recall his splash as the fashion director for Dazed & Confused), and his love for international streetwear. "Low-culture luxe," as the brand dubs it.
Each piece—crafted from a palette of baby blues and pinks, icing whites, and satin and chiffon blacks—only reinforces the theory. The details are a study in contrasts, sometimes literally like in the matching Patchwork Shirt and Pant. Elsewhere, the satin bows and ruffled hems are Lolita-like (i.e. the Tie-Waist Ruffled Collar Dress and the Organza Ruffle Bomber); the black fishnet and color-blocked skinny jeans channel Punk Brittania.
"This is a collection for a try-anything culture," Nicola said in a recent press release. "You're either brave enough to wear it, or you're not."
P.S. Take a peek at the brand's Instagram and you'll see a few fun filters and sticker treatments. Nicola's must-download photo apps are Ble