New AKJP Lookbook

WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo IMAGES Neil Roberts

Earlier this year, artist Jody Paulsen and designer Keith Henning, the duo behind AKJP Collective, presented their Autumn/Winter 2016 collection in Florence, Italy, at Pitti Uomo, and later again at South African Menswear Week.

The incredibly detailed collection, which has a spirit of the tropical Durban landscape, also took inspiration from the work of artist Georgina Gratrix. For their lookbook, shot by Neil Roberts and styled by Louw Kotze, they went back to their source of inspiration. 

Says the designers: “Our lookbook shoot was actually done inside of a previous gallery exhibition at Smac Gallery where Georgina Gratrix’s work was being shown, so this lookbook is a full circle moment for our A/W 16 collection, which was inspired by the artist herself. It was a cool idea we had to create art inside of her artwork, so to speak. From there, we moved to La Perla for a post-modern look and feel. It was really great to work within one of the oldest restaurants in Cape Town, which also showcases contemporary artworks.”

The shoot itself took inspiration from the 2003 film The Dreamers, set in 1968 Paris. It’s an art film with a coming of age theme, which is referenced in the shoot.

Shop the collection at AKJP Collective, 73 Kloof Street, Cape Town. Contact the store at 021 424 5502 for more information.