The New Pichulik A/W 2017 Collection

WORDS Palesa Kgasane PHOTOS Alix-Ross Cowie

The latest Pichulik collection is a mixture of the bold and the minimalist, an ode to the timelessness of Eastern fashion and jewellery.

“This collection is forensic in nature,” says designer Katherine-Mary Pichulik. “I was looking through my great-grandmother and family matriarch Leonora’s trousseau and came across a photograph of a Japanese woman. On the back she had written ‘mother’. This led me to delve further into the aesthetic practices of Japan.”

The collection keeps to the solid black rope-like pieces that are central to the Pichulik aesthetic, accompanied by subtle accents of gold and wood – an element that is associated with healing in the Eastern world. The intricate details of the collection are attributed to the palette: pearl and brass, as well as the addition of ikebana.

Honing in on the finer aspects of design, the chunky feel of the collection is bold enough to stand on its own. This range in particular is different to its predecessors because it features specially made garments by local designer Nadya von Stein; the exciting #Pichulikby addition is a mixture of Tibetan- and African-inspired attire. In keeping with the oriental vibe of the jewellery collection, Nadya uses asymmetry, fluidity and simplicity to harness the robe-like aesthetic of Eastern garments.

One of the centrepieces of this range is the Ama neckpiece, which was actually worn on the red carpet by actress Emma Watson. For Katherine-Mary, the Ama neckpiece looks like “pearl divers, five of them, scattered along the neckline”. Another stand-out is Leonora’s Journey, “a pendant taken from one that belonged to my great-grandmother and which was given to me for my 30th birthday”.

Fresh-faced model Gwen Lu adds the perfect touch of androgyny and elegance to the luxurious lookbook, styled by Gabrielle Kannemeyer and featuring items from Mungo Design.

The collection, available online on 1 May 2017, is representative of the strength and beauty of women, brave enough to be on the path of constant self-discovery.

For more information, visit pichulik.com.