tedoré : Ter Et Bantine

Showing posts with label Ter Et Bantine. Show all posts

ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS

One of the things that I really admire of Ter et Bantine is their perseverance of continuing their route, without paying much more attention on seasonal trends (those that are born and mostly death in one season, maximum two), but always be true to themselves. Their brand code is oversize shape with mixing ethnic and sportswear elements. Manuela Arcari, founder and the head designer of the brand, proposed the first one in a maxi-shaped dress in orange silk, boxy-oversize tops and shirt-jackets. Their lovely sporty-ethnic mixes were sawn in a tank gown with spongy technical mesh, quilted obi belts and loads of embroideries and jacquards. The novelty part came with the colour side; after a total black and white winter 2015 collection, this one is made of earth tones: violet, vivid red, orange, grass green and chartreuse (name from a famous French liquor).

What really disappoints me is the snobby part of many editors in confront of this brand; I think it deserves much more respect and success as it had till now, with less disregard from big fashion forces. But there is one truth that comforts me and it´s the fact that all best things are “best-kept secrets”.

Is not strange that Manueal Arcari as a convinced reductionist, applies this philosophy in Ter et Bantine´s aesthetic, to reach the new minimal style of the brand…new minimalism. For the F/W 2014/2015 collection, she got a total inspiration from a calm Far Eastern vibe. Bathrobe-like overcoats with kimono wrappings as a Japanese influence or cocoon quilted-jacquard jackets with Tibetan patterns. There were also Mongolian longhair furs here and there: on a sleeveless top, around the waist of tailored trousers or inside the overcoats. The evening part was mostly about a different top option, like a slightly wrapped bustier or a sleeveless turtleneck, paired with mid-calf skirts and leggings or slouchy trousers. Classic menswear-inspired shoes had a role to calm down a little bit everything and to make the collection androgynous...simple...clean.

/ click on "Read more" or on the title of this post to see all photos and details from the collection /

The S/S 2014 collection was Ter etBantine´s debut “showcase” in Paris. Titled “Perfection imperfection” (btw I used to title myself this way ;) ) was a great mixture of order and chaos. Nice, polished finish with fringed ends to contrast the perfect technically made garments. Actually the fringe point, the raw hems, as Manuela Arcari claims, let a garment feel alive. The rigorous part came with judo-inspired shapes of the whole collection. And by judo the first thing we mind is discipline and restraint.

/ click on "Read more" too see also all image-stills from the collection /

Exposed belly was a part of the S/S 2013 season and this is continuing in the Resort 2014 collections too. But there is a but! Cropped tops with a belly out (showing your skin) is, to be sincere and tasteful, suitable for young women...the one in good shape (if it´s trendy and you do not have that type of body, it doesn´t mean that you must wear it, but find a perfect match for your body type in the whole clothing range). Well, Resort 2014 is giving a variation of the cropped top as part of layering, so now suitable also for older ladies (but I cannot repeat the same thing with the body shape again...as I did in the line before? And we are not into discrimination, but different clothes on different types...just be yourself and build your own style with a good sense of auto-criticism).

Click on "Read more" to see the selection of 14 designers and their proposals.
So crop, crop, crop! :)

Ter et Bantine is known for combining masculine and feminine. Resort 2014 definitely went on more girlie side of the brand. Clean lines and experimentation with materials, like: matching of reptile leather with satin or the tridimensional surfaces with very light plays on colors. A sort of a Northern Europe girl meets the East with Japanese elements of inspiration: the obi-effect belts, some shapes of jackets and trousers.