It’s an understatement to say that 2020 has been a troubled year. Like many crises, it has transformed everything around us; perhaps it will give us the chance to rebuild ourselves . This transformation has made us think about the idea of a comfort zone. A comfort zone can be defined as a place, a state of mind, a person or even a piece of clothing. What do we mean by comfort zone? The one we crafted within ourselves, allowing us to have an honest relationship with our true selves? Is that a safe shelter, or rather a constraining cave?
The decision alone to leave the house, where to go, with whom and what to wear changed beyond recognition this year, becoming somehow much more challenging and thought-provoking. i-D has been thinking about how the process of choosing our outfits changed after the lockdown period. We realized that when you go out only a limited number of times, creativity takes over when creating your look: the chances for us to show off are few, and that’s why often we do our best to make them unforgettable. With this in mind, even the clothes we wear regularly take on new meanings. We see everyday life in a different light.
We all know a specific fabric that carries the literal marks of our experience – whether it’s before or after the lockdown period – and that is denim. Everyone has a pair of trousers or a jacket or a blouse they’ve always had in their wardrobes, kept even after life-altering experiences such as moving house, breakups or wardrobe makeovers; they’ve survived the small revolutions of our life. In a way, this endurance reminds us of who we were and how we changed; it represents perhaps our comfort zone that wraps and protects us. Sometimes it might give us the courage to be who we are and to know what we want and how to get it.
The symbolic value of jeans changes based on the person wearing it. That is why we decided to join forces with Ports 1961, whose trademark is minimalism, and R13, icon of denim culture.
We chose four models and discussed style and creativity, their perception of jeans and their relationship with contemporary trends. The discussion took place during the release of the capsule collection PORTS 1961 x R13, which features a series of redesigned classic denim jeans based on a vintage model from the 70s inspired by the iconic Parisian style of Jane Birkin.
Micaela, 22, model
How would you describe your style?
I would say informal streetwear style, I always wear sneakers and never high-heel shoes. As a matter of fact, if I am not 100% sure of my outfit, I won’t go out.
What’s your first memory about jeans?
My mum has always been a denim kind of girl. I clearly remember the trousers and the denim jacket she used to wear. It’s a really cool fabric and, of course, I still wear it now.
What’s the most creative thing you’ve done recently?
I posted a video of me singing on my social media pages. It made me feel good.
What’s the song you’ve been listening to non-stop these days?
“Cold War” by Cautious Clay
If you could choose three people to go to dinner with, who would you pick?
I think it would be so fun to have dinner with Justin Roiland, Rick and Morty’s dubber. I would also choose George Clooney, because my mum would love to meet him and I would give this chance to her.
Name three artists who have always inspired you.
Anderson Paak is a singer with a stunning voice, he can play both the piano and the drums and it makes it look so easy. Jorja Smith is another role model for me, her voice is so powerful and her lyrics are such an inspiration. Last but not least Childish Gambino. He is simply next level.
Can you tell us a trend you followed in the past and now you regret it?
When I was younger I used to wear quirky and “ugly” shoes without realizing what I was doing. Then I understood they have nothing to do with me or my style.
Camila, 24, model
How would you describe your style?
I don’t feel I can describe my style, I just like to mix and play with clothes that I have, I kinda go with my own flow, but if I have to describe it, it would be something like street smart.
What’s your first memory about jeans?
My first memory about jeans is related to my mum, I’ve always loved her 80’s style, kind of That’s why I fell in love with high-waist jeans.
What’s the most creative thing you’ve done recently?
I do things that put my creativity out all the time, like art, photography and music. It’s a way to enjoy my time and relax. Four months ago I started to produce music as a techno DJ.
What’s the song you’ve been listening to non-stop these days?
I have a lot of songs on my phone I listen to non-stop, where I go music follows me, but there is one song that since I discovered it I can’t help but play it, it’s called “Hey Mama” by Musumeci.
If you could choose three people to go to dinner with, who would you pick?
I would say Stephen Hawking, Audrey Hepburn and Jim Carrey. I would love to have dinner and talk with them all night.
Name three artists who have always inspired you.
Avril Lavigne, since I was a kid she has always inspired me to make music, that’s why I started playing the guitar. Gisele Bündchen, a cliché I know, but she inspired me to continue my career as a model and to be a better person. And my mum, who’s not an artist but she was always there for me, she is my rock.
Can you tell us a trend you followed in the past and now you regret it?
There was a famous trend in Brazil called “emo coloured” or “emo coloridos” in Portuguese, founded by a local band called Restart: we basically used fluoro colours for our outfits, even the shoes. Weird times.
Deimantė, 22, model
How would you describe your style?
I like pastel colors and vintage clothing. My style depends on my mood and on the season of the year.
What’s your first memory about jeans?
When I was a child, my sister used to always wear jeans jackets and trousers.
What’s the most creative thing you’ve done recently?
I took pictures of Milan to show my followers what a beautiful city it is.
What’s the song you’ve been listening to non-stop these days?
“Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles.
If you could choose three people (dead or alive) to go to dinner with, who would you pick?
Harry Styles, Jensen Ackles and Zayn Malik.
Name three artists who have always inspired you.
Donatella Versace, Billie Eilish and Cara Delevingne.
Can you tell us a trend you followed in the past and now you regret it?
My goal is not having regrets because everything I did, made me the person I am today.
Aminata, 23, model and stylist
How would you describe your style?
I would define it as Afro-elegant: I like to mix and match different fashion brands, especially single or bi-coloured pieces with little details made of coloured African textures.
What’s your first memory about jeans?
My first memory about jeans goes back to five years ago. I was 18 and I found a pair of wide-leg Levi’s jeans in a vintage market, I immediately fell for them. Then it began my love story with wide-leg high-waist jeans and even today if I see a similar pair I can still remember that first day.
What’s the most creative thing you’ve done recently?
I made a dress out of a sustainable T-shirt with a colourful African fabric as patchwork and it looks like an umbrella in the wind. This project paved the way for thousands more ideas I will work on after vacation.
What’s the song you’ve been listening to non-stop these days?
“Malaika” by Miriam Makeba, a song from 1972. The title means “angel”: it’s a love song about a man proposing to his girlfriend.
If you could choose 3 people (dead or alive) to go to dinner with, who would you pick?
My husband, he’s my favourite person. My best friend, we are business partner and we launched a clothing brand; he always supported me during my career. Then my mum and my mother in law, the two most important women in my life who always helped me, listened to me and took care of me.
Name three artists who have always inspired you.
Whitney Houston, she will always be a legend. And Beyonce. Yes, I admit it, I am a #yoncegirl. Her creativity, her ability to spread good vibes, to reinvent herself are more important than her music to me. Finally Madonna. I have to admit I have never really listened to all of her songs but I love her sense of style, her personality, her movements, her videos and colours.
Can you tell us a trend you followed in the past and now you regret it?
Using wigs or hairdos that didn’t bring out my afro hair, but on the contrary changed it to follow Western trends. I am not against those using these haircuts but after a careful analysis I realized I feel more comfortable with my natural hair that empowers me as a black woman and makes me quit beauty standards that I don’t feel I belong to.
The capsule collection “PORTS 1961 x R13” is available from 26th of August 2020 in all PORTS 1961 stores and online at www.ports.1961.com.
Credits
Photography Parinya Wongwannawat
Creative Director Gloria Maria Cappelletti
Text Benedetta Pini
Executive Producer Rosario Rex Di Salvo
Casting Konet Creative
Styling Giorgia Imbrenda
Junior Art Director Maria Laura Buoninfante
Make Up & Hair Styling Silvia Sidoli
Senior Project Manager Valentina Curti
Project Coordination Benedetta Borioni
Producer Assistant Luca Barbagallo