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Priya Ahluwalia’s eponymous label has been garnering attention recently not just in the UK, but internationally too, after the brand became a 2020 LVMH Prize finalist and won this year’s Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
But despite collections being relatively genderless, women have been wondering when the London-based designer would dip her toes into womenswear.
Thankfully, our prayers have been answered. On Friday, Ahluwalia announced its womenswear debut as part of a new collaboration with Ganni.
Ganni came knocking, keen to work with Ahluwalia because of the brand’s sustainability efforts—every piece is made solely from existing materials, constructed from vintage, dead-stock and recycled clothing.
The result is a collection of 19 pieces made completely from upcycled deadstock fabric that went unused in Ganni’s Fall 2020 collection, as well as reworked leftover styles that didn’t sell over the past year, due to the pandemic.
Many of the pieces were made in Ganni’s signature silhouettes, but with Ahluwalia’s unique touches, such as textiles and different fabrics being mixed and matched together.
Importantly, post-pandemic partying was front of mind. For the collection, Ahluwalia was inspired by London’s Garage scene in the 90s.
“When I started my research for the collection, I thought about both Ganni’s and my own love of a good party,” Ahluwalia said in an official statement. “I looked at photography from the U.K. garage scene, as well as photos from my own personal history and culture and wanted to create clothing that women will feel sexy and strong in whilst on the dance floor, whether at a club or at home.”
“I love the unexpected patchwork patterns. It’s a complete print remix,” said Ditte Reffstrup, Ganni’s creative director, in an official statement. “Priya’s work is so forward-thinking yet it’s so connected to her roots. I can’t wait for our community to see this collaboration.”
Ganni and Ahluwalia have plans to launch two collections this year, first with a ready-to-wear offering that will be released Friday, April 23 on Ganni’s website, as well as select Ganni stores. Sign up to be the first to shop here.
See more from the collaboration below.
