MARCUS AURELIUS
The words of the great philosopher and former emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, ring particularly true right now as we strive to break free from the shackles of crisis.
They remind us that too often, we seek shelter instead of surging forward; that too often we look for comfort when it is in fact courage that is required, and; that not often enough we dare to dream.
So, as we stand at the juncture of the new world and the old - as the tectonic plates of humanity are shifting underfoot - we needn't be scared of the future, but rather we must be embracing of it.
Embracing of it in the same way Martin Luther King sought to shape the values of the future despite fightback. Embracing of it in the same vein as Walt Disney who pioneered the animation industry even in face of failure. Embracing of it in the same way that Humphrey Bogart fought for a leading role when perpetually cast as the villain.
Indeed, if we are to face the future, we must draw upon the experiences, ideas and intellect of those who have come before us and shaped their own futures - our past. And so, this season, we draw not upon one, two or even three icons of yesteryear, but icons of every era, political persuasion and background.
[[Collection01]]
Encompassing Past, Present and Future
To this end, the future is always bound in some way, shape or form to the past. In fact, there can be no future without the past. It is this idea - of a connection between past, present and future - that is central to the Michael Jondral FW20 collection.
Reverence is paid to the traditions of foregone eras, whilst the changing constraints of modern life have also been considered.
This season is relaxed yet refined, featuring knitwear, tailoring and elevated casual wear that has been made under the auspices of traditional craftsmanship but are true to the tenets of the new normal in which we work from home.
A palate of autumnal hues conjures thoughts of the resplendence and elegance of quintessential British gentry; however, garments forgo some of the formality of yesteryear to feel more befitting of modern life.
Layered ensembles of heavy gauge knitwear with utilitarian tailoring are finished with accessories that straddle the balance between indulgent and functional. Luxurious leather pieces are designed to be worn atop cable knitted sweaters, jeans and boots - a style that is at once rugged and refined.
[[Collection02]]
Clothing That Empowers, Emboldens and Enlightens
Clothing, however, transcends the physical. What we wear is less about how we look than it is about how it makes us feel.
Clothing is transformative; it wields the power to stimulate our senses, shift our state of being and shape who we are. It empowers, emboldens, enlightens and elevates us to new heights.
So gentlemen, this season, we challenge you - despite the chaos - to embrace the beauty of challenge and change, for rest assured, they will be constant, and to reach new heights.
Paradigms will continue to shift, and opportunities emerge, and the world, now more than ever, is in desperate need of those who are empowered, emboldened and enlightened. Take heed of the words of Marcus Aurelius, and remember;
"To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved, and the raging of the sea falls still around it."
