Uniforms For The Dedicated Spring/Summer 2014
Fredrik Wikholm, Creative Director of Uniforms For The Dedicated, has revealed the Swedish label’s SS14 collection in an exclusive interview with FashionBeans. The 95-piece collection, entitled ‘We’re Ok & The Smoking Fox’, has been inspired by the self-assured modern man. The character of the ‘The Smoking Fox’ is central to the collection and typifies the UFTD customer, as Wikholm explains: “He is elegant, confident and not afraid to question norms and establish truths… he doesn’t follow trends, but instead he listens, contemplates and makes conscious decisions that correspond with his core values.” The SS14 range consists of intelligently executed classic menswear pieces, given a contemporary twist through the use of sustainable materials and dynamic prints. Signature prints from the collection draw their inspiration from abstract art movements, the ‘Smoking Fox’ and the underwater diver’s ‘OK’ hand sign. The motifs are designed to be “a colourful celebration of the individual… for those who dare to stand up and stand out”. Highlights from the collection include the Carmichael trench coat (£265), crafted from super-light Italian stretch-twill; the Keaton mods jacket (£290) in a refined Italian crepe; and the Cyril suit trousers (£130), sporting an all-over paint-splatter design. Fabric development is key to the brand and the SS14 line features a wider range than previous seasons. Comprised of premium Italian and Portuguese materials: “We put enormous emphasis on sourcing and developing interesting, quality fabrics, mainly in Italy, and let those fabrics shine in a classic silhouette,” explains Wikholm. The collection’s colour palette uses dark navy and sand as its base, with light tones of mint, green and apricot lending a fresh, summery feel to pieces. Adding further depth, fuchsia and lime inject a bold and bright accent to the line. The Stockholm-based label was founded back in 2007 by an artistic collective, who aimed to create stylish, sustainable clothing for today’s contemporary male. These eco-friendly credentials are still at the core of the UFTD ethos, with the design team constantly working to develop a green production process and organic materials: “We do all we can to preserve Mother Earth and hope to pioneer recycling projects in the future,” states Wikholm. UFTD’s commitment to the environment makes it unique from the other Scandinavian labels – as does the brand’s design spirit, says Wikholm: “I think we stand out as being a touch more flamboyant and less bound by the traditionally minimalist approach of Scandinavian design…we are more dynamic and dare to experiment a bit more than many brands around us.” The SS14 ‘We’re Ok & The Smoking Fox’ collection is available to purchase now from UniformsfortheDedicated.com, along with stockists including Liberty London, with prices ranging from £50-£290.
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Uniforms For The Dedicated SS14 Lookbook
