Throughout Cadet’s entity, they’ve focused on riffing off various uniforms, channeling the precise structure of militia. For their Spring/Summer 2017 collection, designers Raul Arevalo and Brad Schmidt looked for inspiration from a band of brothers in arms – but this season their inspiration looked far into the past. The two Brooklyn designers recently jaunted to Italy, immersing themselves in the art and architecture the city had to offer. What caught their eye, were the warriors of yore: the Roman Legionaries. As much as these warriors are renowned for their tenacity and vigour on the battle field, Cadet’s collection brought out the lighter side of both the brand, and the warriors. Gusto-filled Latin mottos of “overcome evil with good’ and ‘love conquers all’ were emblazoned on linen tops and cotton sweatshirts.
Although the collection was spun from a tale of love for the culture of the land of La Dolce Vita, the references were subtle. Merino wools, designed in collaboration with Italian fabric house Reda, were woven into light tops and simple shifts. Draped trench coats and lightweight bombers were perfect for tropes in the Italian sun, while tops were deconstructed and held back together with delicate pins. Wrapped leather belts, leather collars, and pleated shorts channeled the tougher garb of Roman warriors, but translated into a modern aesthetic.
Overall, the collection was a flourish of Italian history – one part the live and let live attitude of the Italian heart throbs of the silver screen, one part ode to the champions of the ring, the Roman warriors.
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