Forza Collective blends classic tailoring with bold latex and metal elements
This review is brought to you in collaboration with Bolou Fine Jewellery
READ THE ORIGINAL VERSION IN DANISH HERE.
Forza Collective, Monday, August 5, 2024 at 3 PM, Royal Danish Theatre Play House
It’s quite an achievement when, at a brand’s very first fashion show, you can already spot classics and “typical” cuts and details. This was precisely the case when Forza Collective made their debut as a show brand last season. The brand’s distinctive DNA was only further cemented today, at both the brand’s and this fashion week’s second show.
This time around, Kristoffer Kongshaug, the mastermind behind Forza Collective, hosted the show in the foyer of the Royal Danish Playhouse, where the brand’s first full SS collection was showcased. Naturally, there were plenty of Forza Collective’s signature pieces: the small, shell-like bra cups with a peek of underboob, pipe pleats on low-waisted skirts and dresses, and plenty of tailoring in that delightfully thick nylon that’s been a staple of Forza’s universe since the very first mini collection.
Dwelling a bit on that thick nylon, this season it appeared in a range of new statement colours such as neon green and sharp yellow, but also in softer hues like baby pink and light sky blue, which made a notable impact in full looks. Especially a high-necked coat, a modern take on Holly Golightly’s iconic pink coat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, combined a retro and futuristic feel styled with latex stockings and cat-eye sunglasses.
Just because Forza Collective is already easily recognisable doesn’t mean there aren’t new elements and additions to the universe. With the robust nylon comes a penchant for more technical materials, which received even more attention in this collection, including a thick, cream white mesh that, along with a silver-shiny metallic corset, opened the show and set a very futuristic tone.
Another new detail was the draped neck/sleeve design, which appeared on several styles, offering a soft and nostalgic contrast to the more stringent styles. Draping also featured in the final series of three dresses in black and white with an almost Roman aesthetic in the soft jersey that clung to the models. This same look was echoed in a pink draped dress, where the Roman references took on a more warrior-like edge with a silver metallic bra detail.
Kristoffer Kongshaug’s international career is clearly evident when you look at Forza Collective. It’s not a look that screams Copenhagen but rather exudes a cool elegance that’s not often seen at Copenhagen Fashion Week. However, Kongshaug’s international career also becomes evident in his choice of models, who are exclusively slender. This has been somewhat of an Achilles’ heel for him since his debut at the Copenhagen fashion scene, as there’s still a desire for styles that accommodate more voluptuous figures, which I still find lacking.
This review has been translated using ChatGPT.
See a selection of the show looks below and see the entire collection here.
