When it comes to the world’s most esteemed luxury fashion brands, LOEWE is one of the first names that springs to mind, and with an impressive 175 years of history behind it, its glowing reputation, which goes all the way back to 1846, is well deserved.
Founded in Spain, it has come a long way since its humble beginnings, starting out as a small leather-making collective that has since gone on to become one of the most coveted high-end brands across the globe. In 2022, almost every fashion-conscious female wants to carry a LOEWE handbag on her arm, and thanks to expert craftsmanship and an unwavering dedication to quality – not to mention its unique and exciting range of ever-evolving designs – it certainly isn’t difficult to understand why.
Today, LOEWE continues to produce its products where it all began – in its main workshop in Madrid – and with a team of master artisans meticulously combining their knowledge and expertise with an impressive creative vision, the brand’s innovative approach to fashion design is one of the reasons it has remained such a prominent name for so many years. The wisdom of those original craftsmen has been passed down through the generations and has continued to evolve with the times ever since – something that is of the utmost importance for any brand that is keen to stay relevant and appeal to a younger and more modern customer base.
LOEWE has been riding the wave of a new phase in its development since 2013, when Jonathan Anderson took the helm as creative director and instigated a complete refresh and rejuvenation of Loewe as a fashion house. Never one to rest on its laurels, it is constantly showcasing new examples of stylistic flair and coming up with statement pieces that almost immediately earn themselves ‘it’ status. And unlike other traditional luxury fashion brands, it has never been afraid to move with the times and experiment with colour and shape, making it a firm favourite amongst those who like to express themselves through their choice of garments and accessories.
LOEWE has always been inspired by art, but since Anderson’s appointment this influence on its collections is one that has increasingly begun to take centre stage. The latest offerings from the brand have taken a prismatic and eclectic range of art influences and translated them effortlessly into the medium of fashion, and this outside-the-box approach is a far cry from the ‘safe’ and timeless approach of many of its competitors.
In recent years, it has launched some exciting collaborations that have showcased its dedication to craftsmanship. The LOEWE Baskets collection, created for Salone del Mobile back in 2019, is a prime example, and saw the brand approach 11 artists from across the globe to bring their unique styles of basket-weaving to the project. The resulting collection of bags, accessories and home goods, which employed techniques including traditional fishing knots, was certainly an impressive one – but true to its roots, each of the pieces that made it into the LOEWE Baskets collection was made from leather and raffia opposed to more traditional mediums like rattan, straw and bamboo – eventually fetching between £1,000 and £3,500 each when they went on sale.
Now, the fashion world is looking ahead excitedly to what’s in store for 2023, and the SS23 men’s and women’s pre-collections are already available for perusal on the LOEWE website. Featuring some of its most exciting offerings yet, the first pieces to add to your wish list for the new year are a reflection on personality and individuality, and the campaign itself sees a selection of models posing as living sculptures and showcasing iconic LOEWE bags including the Puzzle and the Puffer Goya.
Also appearing are some elements of the new Chinese Monochrome collection, drawing influences from sport and blunt surrealism and characterised by voluminous silhouettes and strong shapes.
It’s certainly not one for the faint hearted, but for the fashion enthusiast who loves to make a statement, it’s a collection that signals an exciting season of unique dressing as we head into spring and summer next year. And for anyone who is eager to find a sense of fun in getting dressed and putting together looks in the new year instead of following the same old tried-and-tested formula, it’s the perfect place to start.
When it comes to the luxury fashion brands to watch in 2023, this Spanish sensation should be at the very top of your list.
