For Mfpen’s autumn/winter '24 showcase, founder and creative director Sigurd Bank took us to an intimate punk concert
“In general, the collection is very moody – I guess it's hard in these times to create something that looks happy,” says Sigurd Bank, founder and creative director of Mfpen ahead of the brand’s autumn/winter ‘24 show. It’s a statement that undoubtedly resonates with many; however, in a tumultuous world like ours, fashion can offer a dose of escapism – even if only for a fleeting moment.
For Mfpen’s AW24 presentation, Bank wanted to provide his guests an explosive yet intimate experience akin to the vibe at punk and hardcore concerts, where bands are playing on the floor next to the audience with “no disconnection between the stage and the floor, the band and the crowd, which often develops into chaotic events.” Creating the atmosphere based on his own memories at said gigs, Bank chose to host the show at the compact Galleri Nicolai Wallner, where attendees practically stood on the runway.
While Mfpen's approach to conceptualising the show, from styling to the music – featuring soundbites from the 1981 documentary The Decline of the Western Civilization, a portrayal of the punk music scene of late ‘70s Los Angeles – is distinctly punk-heavy, the clothing follows a slightly different narrative. Much like in subcultures, where dress codes were shaken up by taking power symbols like suits and ties out of their formal context, Mfpen’s AW24 line-up puts its own spin on tailoring, focusing on a relaxed silhouette and a neutral, grey-black dominant palette.
Slouchy suits crafted from Italian deadstock fabric, refined outerwear in 100 percent recycled post-consumer wool, distressed pieces, and hand-knitted crochet numbers are among the stand-out pieces from the collection, which, come autumn, will be nabbed by sartorial savants alike.
See the full Mfpen AW24 collection below:
