Rooted in memory, loss, and transformation, the recognizable combination of sportswear and symbolism in Emeric Tchatchoua’s 3.Paradis collections was less conspicuous this time. There was much remembrance, with heavy wool trench coats in green that recalled a World War I jacket, and the subtle introduction of nylon into the traditional, classical tailored suit.
The many flat caps spoke of the 1920s. The colors, muted but bright, twinkling but still, made the whole assortment a tribute to the quiet motion of old age. Presented at Paris Fashion Week, this exploration of grief and childhood nostalgia included, in the style of its coats, literary nods to Le Petit Prince—a charming way in which Tchatchoua spoke of the preservation of innocence amidst loss.
The deep midnight colors that dominated the whole array sometimes contrasted with crisp whites, and made the merino wool knitwear stand out, with its removable collars showcasing a deep exercise of empathy and care from the artist regarding the wearer’s intimacy, feeling, and humanity. The neck’s fragility and elegance are both enhanced by the collars, both when they are on and when they are gone.
The poetic nature of the collection, along with the phenomenal understanding of the wearer’s motives, dreams, and perspectives, earns this artistic piece a suited and booted.
