W: Paula Reed
Oriol Clavell’s 2025 graduate collection, “VÍBRIA,” is a daring, high-tech reimagining of the past through a queer lens. Drawing inspiration from his Catalan heritage and the concept of a "queer palace," Clavell crafts a world where medieval fantasy and modern nightlife collide. The name itself, referring to a mythological female dragon, sets the tone for a collection centered on strength and protective symbolism.
Clavell’s technical prowess is on full display as he seamlessly bridges the gap between rigid technology and fluid textiles. He utilizes 3D printing to create resin structural elements—such as silver-coated corsets and intricate hardware—integrated into garments made from deadstock leather and heritage fabrics. By subverting traditional symbols of power, like the restrictive corset, and transforming them into relaxed, "bomber-style" silhouettes, he effectively "queers" historical authority. The result is a futuristic armour that celebrates vulnerability as power, offering a vision of a "locus amoenus"—a perfect, safe space for self-expression.
