For a bubble gum-coded collection of frilly, rhinestone-swathed ready-to-wear, look no further than the new Christopher Kane and Self-Portrait team up. Arriving as the inaugural designer-in-residence for Self-Portrait’s new Residency Programme – which offers creatives freedom to experiment while leveraging the brand’s global infrastructure – the collaboration masterfully bridges Kane’s playful, rule-breaking design language with Self-Portrait’s sleek sophistication.

Picked personally by Self-Portrait founder Han Chong, Kane was a natural choice. The Scottish designer has long been revered as one of the most gifted designers on our shores for his fearless approach to femininity, blending subversion and softness with a peerless eye for detail. This partnership also marks a poignant return to form for Kane, who revisits his iconic spring/summer 2007 CSM graduate collection – the one that saw him burst onto the scene with a pep in his step and established him as a fashion trailblazer back in 2006. Despite his eponymous label going into administration in June of 2023, Kane’s creative spark shows no signs of dimming.  

The collection marries Kane’s playful provocations with Self-Portrait’s polished silhouettes. Think: catsuits with strategically placed cutouts, frothy ruffles in sugary hues and rhinestones galore. Sheer dresses with zigzag hems and slinky, asymmetrical silhouettes highlight the synergy between both brands, while metallic finishes and bold embellishments add a touch of glamor. One standout? A dazzling mini-dress dripping in crystals and bordered with Kane’s signature scalloped edges – an unapologetic celebration of fun, freedom and fashion.

Photography courtesy of Self-Portrait.

self-portrait.com