In Samuel Slattery’s SS24 collection, we see a vehement return to a world imbued with sweetness and nostalgic charm. This season, Slattery's creations serve as talismans for the soul, enveloping wearers in pastel wools and large checks. Louche shorts evoke childhood memories, reminiscent of those chilly February mornings when parents insisted on layers.
Continuing from his MA collection, the Breton ermine symbol graces a draped long-sleeve top, a motif of protection and elegance. Slattery’s signature latticino ribbons, resembling delicate snake-skin, make a striking appearance on an off-white polo and an asymmetric tunic. These ribbons, hundreds of metres of bias binding meticulously tacked one by one, create a protective web that embodies both delicacy and strength.
Innovation is a hallmark of Slattery’s design, seen in his reinterpretation of aran cable knitwear. A pink ombre cape hoodie, entirely hand-knit, showcases an intricate Celtic protective band. This attention to detail extends to his fluid pattern cutting, where waistbands gracefully fall off trousers, belts organically grow from the front of long tuxedos, and the ribbing of a supersized tee transforms into a whimsical bow.
Slattery's restraint in tailoring contrasts beautifully with the freedom of abstract painting. One standout look swathes the wearer in tones of green and violet, created by Slattery using only his fingers, rejecting traditional brushes. Larger-than-life bow bags, crafted from velvety linens and adorned with tonal paint strokes, resemble the artistic marks of a carpenter’s hand.
The visual narrative of the collection is brought to life in a short film art-directed by Theo White and shot by Cesare Fraticelli. The film portrays a young boy in his sullen bedroom, navigating the throes of heartbreak. This coming-of-age meditation on loss, sensuality, and eternal hope captures the essence of Slattery’s vision: finding one’s true love and, perhaps, a glimpse of heaven.
Samuel Slattery’s SS24 collection is a masterful blend of nostalgic sweetness and avant-garde innovation, offering solace and light in a world yearning for utopia.
