W: Kelly Mann CI: Andrew Thomas
Designer: Amar Singh, Woensel
Institution: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
The Theme: Corporate Surrealism meets Clubkid Chaos
The Sketchbook (The "Aha!" Moment)
The collection started with a paradox: The Grey Suit vs. The Painted Smile. Amar, a fixture of the nightlife scene, began looking at the rigid structures of "professionalism" through a queer lens.
The title, “Mama, I see clowns…”, serves as both a warning and an invitation. It suggests that while the world demands a serious face, the eccentric reality is bubbling just beneath the surface. The goal wasn't just to make clothes, but to build a bridge between the fluorescent lights of an office and the strobe lights of a club.
The Fabrication (The Tension of Texture)
To pull off this "Corporate Fantasy," the material choice had to be deliberate. Amar played with a "dual-reality" textile palette:
- The Foundation: High-quality wools and crisp poplins—the traditional armor of the 9-to-5.
- The Fantasy: Whimsical, circus-inspired fabrics that disrupt the silhouette.
- The Detail: In a stunning collaboration with Masha Plokhuta, the spontaneity of Amar’s hand-drawn sketches was brought to life through intricate embroidery and beadwork. These weren't just embellishments; they were the "glitch" in the corporate matrix.
The Palette (Neutral vs. Neon)
The collection lives in the tension between two worlds.
- The "Reality": Greys, navies, and blacks represent the mundane.
- The "Dream": Violent pops of colour and surrealist patterns that symbolize escapism.
- Fabric Traditional Wool Circus Tulle & Beads
- Silhouette Tailored Blazers Exaggerated, Distorted Shapes
- Emotion Seriousness Joyful Defiance
The Catwalk (The Final Reveal)
On the runway, the "clownesque thread" ties everything together. The models don't just walk; they perform the transition from worker to wonder. It’s a celebration of being a Person of Colour in spaces that often demand conformity, reclaiming those spaces with a wink and a coat of face paint.
"Life is already too serious – so let’s dress up and paint on a smile."
With the "Corporate Fantasy" established, Amar is looking to further dismantle the boundaries between high fashion and the grit of the underground scene. Expect more explorations of Identity Armor—pieces that protect the wearer while screaming for attention.
The next evolution involves taking these hand-finished techniques into more immersive, performance-art-led showcases where the garment is only half the story.