timeless fashion

Accessible All Ages

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Age and fashion: challenging an erroneous belief


Age and fashion: it’s time to challenge outdated beliefs and embrace a world where style knows no age limits. In fact, the representation of different ages in fashion finally had its recognition. You don’t have to hide anymore, in case you ever thought about doing so. Or, perhaps you were waiting for permission to wear waht you love.

But did we really need permission? And, dear brands, do you believe young people can truly afford your expensive clothes?

Take a look at this picture (zoom the bandana print).
We picked this dress from the Spring/ Summer 2015 MM6 – Maison Martin Margiela collection. Not new if we consider the date of its release. But still relevant in terms of the idea the brand promoted, which was fashion-forward.

Age and fashion
MM6 – Maison Martin Margiela Spring/ Summer 2015

Fashion accessible to all ages


The transversal cut of the collection was clear. We ordered it because we loved the concept and felt aligned with it. Also, we personally have that dress in our closet and still wear it. You may be familiar with the notion of timeless fashion, such a discovery. Yes, we’ve always believed that good design was forever.

Around 2022 the concept of fashion without borders such as age, gender, body shape started to be recognised and amplified by fashion brands. But in 2015, it was about being a trailblazer, innovative and creative, by proposing a countercultural message. Now, from pret-a-porter to haute couture, those words and images have flooded fashion communication. So it sounds like something you have to say just to conform.

It’s fascinating to analyze the many labels we place on the boxes we think we belong to—age, gender, body shape, race, and more. The need to fit in, to belong to a specific category, is ever-present.

Yet, when brands highlight labels so often that they all send the same message, authenticity is lost. Eventually it is clear that these labels are a just marketing trend.

Rules are different now. Back then, we had designers, and fashion was meaningful. Now marketers pull the strings. And, in a spasmodic search for identity, we need slogans to frame the emptiness.

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A Conversation With Marc Le Bihan

Reading Time: 4 minutes

A timeless approach to fashion beyond trends and classification


Sunday morning, it was pouring hard when we reached our appointment with Marc Le Bihan – in Tortona district. Even though we made our selection the day before, we wanted to dig deeper into his profound couture universe. In a transitional era, where everything looks unstable and meaningless, his persistent artisanal contribution makes the difference.

Marc Le Bihan is a fashion designer, artist, and craftsman who creates clothes like a second skin. Indeed, his work goes beyond any classification. His conceptual creativity – manifested through impeccable tailoring, is the expression of a cultured and timeless approach to fashion that refuses trends and their transience.
Completely disconnected from commercial fashion constraints, his couture is a rare example of consistency.

Marc Le Bihan: the interview


• What does it mean to be consistent? Keeping up with your vision when the rest of the world goes in a different direction?
Marc Le Bihan: “The other direction is not my world. I do not understand it. To me, it’s a problem of society. I don’t understand the way of being, the lifestyle. That world is not me, and I can’t even think about it.
Usually, I don’t watch TV. Yesterday I watched Italian TV, and I wondered, how is it possible? Women pretend to be free, showing exaggerated lips and boobs. But in that, I only see the reflection of a man’s vision. That is not freedom. It’s the fake image of a woman.”

• The state of fashion now. How do you see it?
Marc Le Bihan: “The problem with fashion is that people only see the lights, the famous people. There is no sensibility to go further. Branded products are not luxury, not anymore. Luxury is rare, and it’s not for all.
To me, it’s not about fashion but more about doing clothes my way. So, the two roads can cross each other but not as direction to follow.”

• What do you think about social media communication?
Marc Le Bihan: “Famous people promote everything. They get paid to sell, it’s all about money. And not only for fashion. Maybe they promote a food they didn’t even taste. We live in the culture of image, not real life. People don’t live the moment, take pictures. And everything is ego-centered. Also, people have lost the meaning of quality and quality of life.
That is why I follow my path. And so, our communication is not to do any communication. Everything is too confused, there’s too much of it. We don’t have time for social media, we are busy making clothes. However, it’s not about posting a thousand things. Sometimes we post. Enough.”

White series from Marc Le Bihan SS22 collection
Marc Le Bihan SS22

Fashion, culture & sustainability


• It’s a matter of culture and education?
Marc Le Bihan: “Always. The first problem is education, for everything. The idea of accessing, through culture and education, to something higher – is dead. And I am concerned about young kids. Now they are totally immersed in this image game.”

• What do you think about sustainability?
Marc Le Bihan: “Well, I did it 20 years ago! In fact, we were recycling and upcycling uniforms and parachutes. Now, I don’t want to be a part of that circle because everybody is doing it. That’s marketing. To me, it’s more about how we consume and live. Of course, I use sustainable materials, but I don’t advertise. To claim it means being part of the system.
My idea is to keep a garment for ten years in the wardrobe, then take it out and still want to wear it because it’s timeless.
Mine is a work in progress. If a shirt is good, it’s good forever.”

A final note about couture


“Couture is sustainable by definition. In fact, there is no overproduction, no minimum orders, and no sales. We produce only on orders, and everything is handmade. Moreover, we don’t find our balance in over profit. If everybody gets well paid, we all can live. Indeed, my staff has been working with me for 25 years. Always the same people, same suppliers. We understand each other. We work like this. Most pieces are made in casa, a la maison, in our atelier.”

He smiled saying those words. Stubbornly showing a path that is a return to the essential, pure artisanal creativity.

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The Straight Leg Pants – Plantation

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A cutting-edge brand from Japan


The Straight Leg Pants are an example of perfect fit. But when we talk about the perfect fit, some look at us as we are mad, or as we are trying to fool them. Unfortunately, in the overproduction era, people believe clothes are all the same.

In fact, we are a little obsessed with the perfect fit because this reveals an accurate design. Specifically, what stands at the base of a garment, giving it the proper structure. Nowadays it’s known that people are used to whatever is cheap. So the quality of materials, just like the fit, is not taken into account. People accept modern slavery just to buy fast fashion. Would they ever question quality?

However, we question what we see as we obsessively look for good design. Therefore, the search for the perfect fit for trousers has its specific meaning. While you can adjust here and there a top or a dress to make it look good, pants must have the perfect cut.

And so we laid our eyes upon the special one: The Straight-Leg Pants. By Plantation – a Japanese brand born sustainable in 1982.

Discover The Straight Leg Pants


Made of 100% Supima cotton, a soft fabric with an elegant luster like a silk blend. This classic stretch material got renewed: the brushed reverse side makes it comfortable for the Autumn / Winter season.

The Straight Leg Pants
The Straight Leg Pants
Plantation


With its soft stretch and just-right warmth—cosy but not too thick—you can start wearing it as early as September when the weather is still mild. Plus, the slit pockets on both sides keep the waistline looking sleek and streamlined.

The colour? Black. Easy-to-waear and easy to match with any item. Indeed, the styling possibilities for this wardrobe staple are countless. The slender silhouette goes well with dresses and tunics, too. Try the casual style with a rolled-up hem.

The composition is: 98% cotton – 2% polyurethane
Easy-care product–you can wash it by hand.

We tested this item on different body shapes and we are delighted to tell you that the fit is absolutely fantastic!
Yes, we don’t need too many pieces. We only need the right ones.

Please, contact us for any further information.

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Entering The Season: Fall/Winter 21

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A slow dive into our curation for the new season


Soon we will start introducing our selection for the coming season, Fall/Winter 21.

We are going forward with a certain sense of slowness. The ‘hurry-up’ attitude is part of the status quo, which none seems interested in questioning–but we do. In fact, from N.Y. to Paris and Milano, the bandwagon of fashion shows is starting again following the same stale rules.

However, keeping in mind our timeless approach, let’s go through the garments we have selected for you. And for us, as well.

Fall/Winter 21 curation of meaningful garments


First, the perfect pants. One wide-leg version, one straight-leg – both in Supima cotton. The material has a shiny finishing that makes it look like silk. Moreover, a special treatment makes it warm too.

Then, we found a couple of basic knits in a striped jersey. There’s a boat-neck version and a turtle-neck. Slightly loose fit, they are the perfect complement to multiple outfits.

Of course, we couldn’t miss an asymmetric oversized pull in extra-fine wool. The worsted yarn makes the texture very soft.

Also, we’ll show you a cool cardigan designed as a whole garment. It means there are no shoulders or side seams, so it is very comfortable to wear.

As a more elegant piece, we picked a sleeveless v-neck boxy dress, under-knee length. Three fabrics with different textures are sewn together and then pleated. Unique!

A maxi collar blouson looks so stylish even when worn unbuttoned. And a cocoon sleeved maxi dress. The texture is dry and soft. There’s also a boxy sweater with a horizontal line at the body. It comes in soft lambswool.

Lastly, the sweatshirt is never too casual. We picked one with a zipped detail so you can wear it backside front too.

We thought we needed some colours to boost our mood. Therefore our palette goes from comforting tones to some bright hues. Black, grey, off-white, camel, green, mustard, yellow, purple.

Please, check our Instagram account to see the new arrivals for the Fall/Winter 21 season, and stay in touch with us.
We’d love to hear from you!

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Timeless: A Mindful Buying Approach

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Why it’s crucial and why now


Timeless is a concept that has become quite popular in fashion nowadays. Why? And most of all, why now? Let’s dig deeper into this.

Timeless fashion – just as timeless design in general – refers to classic pieces: items conceived and made to last. But it also includes those pieces that feature such an innovative design that even after many years, they are still ahead of their time, always relevant. Evergreen, indeed. Those pieces end up being copied by other brands who feed themselves on the creativity of more advanced designers. And, if your eyes are a little bit trained, you can see where the inspiration of these items comes from.

Timeless fashion: the only worth investment


Timeless fashion is the only worthy investment. But why has it suddenly gained popularity? Why now?
Now that the system has collapsed, the fashion industry seeks new ways to survive. Timeless is a good strategy because it gives worth back to clothing and its production system. Also, it opens us up to a more thoughtful way of consumption.

Timeless tells you to buy less but better. It is the opposite of disposable clothing, and the opposite of fast fashion.

However, from the very beginning of suite123, about fifteen years ago, we promoted a vision of style that went beyond the rapid consumption of fast fashion. We primarly selected clothes with a distinct stylistic essence—never banal—featuring good design and crafted from beautiful materials. In fact, that is the essence of timelessness: items you can wear forever.

Now we are even more concentrated on this approach. Given the situation we are in, we firmly believe it is a mindful and appropriate choice.

The investment is higher, but it’s the only way to have clothes that last for a long time. A very long time, if you treat them carefully. Timeless fashion is one of the steps we need to take to reduce our impact on the planet.

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