The sustainable premium jeans brand DL1961, has launched Kseniaschnaider x DL1961, a new denim capsule collaboration collection signed with Kseniaschnaider, a fashion brand from Kyiv.

Kseniaschnaider was founded in 2011 by Ksenia Schnaider and her husband Anton. Their collections include women’s and men’s upcycled, reworked, and sustainable denim pieces as well as accessories characterised by complex design techniques and attention to detail.

 

This capsule was designed between New York and Kyiv and produced in Pakistan. It includes a selection of denim tops and bottoms incorporating Schnaider’s signature design details to DL1961’s core silhouettes.

 

The partnership began in May 2022 when DL1961 commissioned the designer to create a custom look for their “Indigo” exhibition at Frieze’s gallery space at No.9 Cork Street in London. The immersive, interactive exhibit was an exploration of the innovative fibers and sustainable technologies that are set to disrupt the denim industry.

The exhibition was broken down into five zones, meant to be an abstract simulation of the denim manufacturing process from factory floor to advertising campaign. A zone of the exhibit featured several mannequins wearing commissioned custom garments designed by various artists including the Ukrainian designer, who created a bespoke “denim fur” look especially for DL1961.

 

“When I first discovered Ksenia, I was so inspired by what she could create from denim,” says Sarah Ahmed, co-founder and chief creative officer, DL1961. “Her unique design aesthetic and drive to continue working through turmoil in Ukraine are proof of what a talented artist she is. Circularity, sustainability, and creativity are just a few of the many values that our two brands share, making this collaboration an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of seeing it,” added Ahmed.

 

Circularity and sustainability have been a part of both brands’ DNA since day one. DL1961 has a strategic partnership with Artistic Denim Mills, allowing them to oversee every step of the manufacturing process from fiber to finished garment. Similarly, Kseniaschnaider’s commitment to conscious consumption has driven the brand to create unique, versatile, avant-garde pieces using sustainable technologies and upcycled materials.

This capsule collection features the designer’s signature patchwork as well as her “denim fur,” which is made by cutting up small rectangular pieces of denim, attaching them to the garment, and proceeding with a wash cycle, which results in the voluminous fringe.

 

“This collection means a lot to me,” said Schnaider. “I started working on it when I had to leave my homeland due to the war in Ukraine. It was a difficult time, and the work gave me hope and relief. I wanted to convey all my passion and love for life in the denim. This collection is my personal ode to peace,” she added.

“This collaboration not only reflects the strongest and brightest parts of the two brands, but it also reflects support, love, and passion for work. It’s about enhancing the power of denim and both brands’ conscious efforts towards sustainability,” Schnaider continued. The s/s 2023 Kseniaschnaider x DL1961 capsule collection was launched at the beginning of March 2023 and includes eight SKU a total of eight pieces, four of whose–a cropped tank, a mini skirt, and two wide-leg jeans–are characterised by the Ukrainian designer's “denim fur”. The other four ones–a jacket, a pair of shorts, and two wide-leg jeans–feature the patchwork technique. The collection is available at www.dl1961.com and select retailers at prices ranging from US$249 to US$429.

 

 

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