Milan-based fashion brand ATXV, founded by Antonio Tarantini, showcases innovative designs at the RUN showroom in Paris, highlighting a unique vision that celebrates body confidence and creativity.
ATXV, a burgeoning fashion brand from Milan, made significant strides recently by participating in a showroom for emerging designers known as RUN, held in Paris. This event is organized by ANDAM Fashion and WSN and is aimed at providing a platform for new talents in the industry. Founded and designed by Antonio Tarantini, ATXV secured the Vogue Italia Who Is on Next? Prize in 2021, signaling its potential prominence in the fashion world. The brand has garnered additional attention after pop star Charlie XCX was spotted donning one of its pieces.
Antonio Tarantini, the seasoned designer behind ATXV, emphasized his intention to express his unique vision when he decided to launch his own brand. “To have the possibility to express myself,” he stated during a phone call. The designer’s work heavily focuses on the interplay between body representation and textiles, employing innovative techniques in fabric manipulation. Through pulling, twisting, and wrapping materials, he creates drapes that celebrate body confidence, employing transparency and cut-outs in ways that enhance rather than expose. “I really like to create and play with the material because I think when you go in a shop, or when you touch a piece, this really makes the difference,” he added.
Tarantini’s recent collection featured various innovative pieces, including an opening look that paid homage to nature with a chemise dress crafted from shibori-dyed fabric, inspired by a photograph of a full moon amongst clouds. The dress features a slightly dropped waist and raw-cut sleeves, marking the collection’s ethereal approach. Another notable creation was a skirt made from exceptionally fine velvet, which conveyed an airy transparency when paired with a cashmere cotton double T-shirt and a delicate nylon lace bra. According to Tarantini, the combination delivers a “perverse luxury,” showcasing his ability to create garments that evoke confidence.
Reflecting on the mood of his latest collection, Tarantini described it as slightly darker, stating, “I was a little bit darker.” However, he also identified as a “wintery person with a summery heart,” suggesting that the overarching theme was more about exploring the “sense of freedom in the night, in the dark” rather than dwell on angst.
In a significant development for the brand, Tarantini designed his first piece of outerwear for ATXV: an oversized jacket that he imagined a woman might wear after a night out. The collection includes jackets in oil-black leather and heavy cotton in smoky gray, each possessing a unique aesthetic. Tarantini explained that the proportions of these jackets are intentionally unconventional, described by him as “completely wrong” in a “bad-meaning-good way.”
Having previously worked with prestigious labels like Dior, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana, Tarantini is eager to explore creative freedoms that allow for mistakes in design. This approach is exemplified by his usage of asymmetrical cuts in designs, such as a techno jersey pullover top that drapes unexpectedly.
Another distinctive feature in this collection was the incorporation of metal rings, which were used to suspend or knot fabric elements. Tarantini views the circle as a symbol of perfection and protection, much like the talismanic ring of his grandmother, which he wears. This exploration of materials and forms encapsulates Tarantini’s innovative vision, marking ATXV as a noteworthy contender in the evolving fashion landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
