SS11 - WELDINGMAN

A thick metal door opens. 50 degrees. Steam, machines, muscles and sweat. Their bodies are tense. Their skin covered in dust and oil. When they breathe, they inhale sparks of fire.

For his Spring/Summer 2011 collection Asger Juel Larsen chose an extreme view on high temperatures. Set between 1930’s warship boiler rooms and a none-time specific factory spirit, his protagonist is a heavy duty welding mechanic.

Primitive and yet technically advanced, his clothes reflect the intensity and bravery of craftsmanship. Protective shields of leather cover the pulsating skin. Intense hues of red and orange evoke the notion of sharp welding blades cutting metal. Cropped and sleeveless tops expose the worker’s masculinity, strength and sex. Shiny, crispy and studded surfaces reflect the human fight against seemingly non-manipulative materials and rough textures.

Consequently, the colours run from black and smoke grey to nudes, alluvium and glowing orange. Qualities are laboriously crafted, ranging from burned wool, nappa leather to raw-cut silk, mesh, quilted pvc and rubber materials through out. The collection is accompanied by a range of hand-crafted accessories and jewellery: Asger Juel Larsen developed a golden skull earring and designed a limited edition of glasses with protective fluorescent lenses – the continuation of his collaboration with renowned Mauricio Stein.