The ocean’s depths have long captured the imagination of explorers, scientists, and creatives. PH5’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection, “This Is Not A Jellyfish,” draws inspiration from Jacques Piccard’s 1969 submarine voyage to the Gulf Stream’s bottom. In this imaginative collection, PH5 envisions a world where the earth becomes inhospitable, and humans are forced to live beneath the waves, where innovative knitwear meets a strong statement on sustainability.
About the Brand
Established in New York in 2014 by Wei Lin and Parsons-trained designer Zoe Champion, PH5 is renowned for its innovative and whimsical approach to knitwear. Pushing the boundaries of conventional knitwear, the brand’s signature motifs, wavy hems, and inventive knitting techniques create designs that intrigue and captivate with an environmentally conscious undercurrent.
About the FW23 Collection: “This Is Not A Jellyfish”
The Fall/Winter 2023 collection transports us to a world where discarded plastic and marine life coexist in a post-apocalyptic underwater realm. Drawing from her experiences as a scuba diver, co-founder and designer Wei Lin addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. Lin’s memory of mistaking a mass of plastic for a giant marine mammal is a stark reminder of the damaging effects of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.
A sense of playfulness and vibrancy runs through the collection, with PH5’s usual lively colour palette being enriched by wire tubing hems and gradient faux fur amoebas. These additions give the garments a fluidity and movement reminiscent of underwater creatures. The collection features ethereal, jellyfish-like silhouettes, innovative knitwear techniques, and PH5’s signature blend of style and environmental consciousness.
Sustainability is at the heart of this collection, with over 90% of the pieces responsibly sourced using plant-derived recycled viscose and eco-vero viscose. However, the challenge of finding 100% compostable fibres for knitwear remains, as small amounts of polyester or nylon are still necessary for durability and structure.
A few standout pieces from the collection include Katie Wavy Mini Skirt, the Nudi Fake Denim Cropped Jacket, the Sykes Mixed Rib Cropped Top, and the innovative UV Reactive styles (like Roxy UV Reactive Wavy Dress), each piece showcasing PH5’s experimental approach to design.
Despite the collection’s playful and otherworldly aesthetics, the underlying message is clear and urgent. Plastic pollution in the ocean is a severe environmental issue that demands immediate attention. Through its thoughtful designs and sustainable practices, PH5 raises awareness of this critical issue in a way that resonates with our style and environmental aspirations.
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