For the second time, Ukrainian designer Mitya Hontarenko showcased at Berlin Fashion Week with his label PLNGNS (Palingenesy). This season, Hontarenko unveiled to us his Sneaker Riot collection.
We saw constructed upcycled streetwear garments that proved to us once more that sustainability and contemporary fashion go hand in hand.
Mitya Hontarenko demonstrates how recycling shoes and clothing can give birth to something entirely new and unique: we see patchwork jackets and trousers, and are those webs made out of shoelaces?
Back in February 2024, Hontarenko introduced his first full-look collection. His process resembles collaging, where original products are deconstructed by hand into numerous individual parts to create fresh sneakers and garments. This method results in collections that are complex in their cut construction, but they also reflect on our current cultural zeitgeist.
“Our main concern is always to develop new, creative approaches that do justice to the life of the garments and the materials used. The magic lies in creating something completely new with something old” Mitya Hontarenko
With Sneaker Riot, Hontarenko zeroes in on shoes and streetwear. The collection’s style and color palette draw inspiration from current global conflicts, giving the designs with a necessary edge. An edge which is becoming more and more familiar on the runways, as designers use their platform to convey strong and urgent messages alongside showcasing their creations. The show’s finale striked us hard with models brandishing flare guns. They look fierce and resilient.
Visit plngns.com
Author: Kelly van Gemert (@jawclenching)
Excited to witness some runway shows yourself? At July 4, 2024, KEYI Magazine hosts an official Berlin Fashion Week side event at Club OXI! Expect runway shows, art installations, music, food & more. More info here!
