It’s the fashion capsule of the month: DROP 012 KHY x ATLEIN. A collaboration between Kylie Jenner’s fashion label Khy and Paris-based fashion house ATLEIN, founded and designed by the star’s good friend Antonin Tron. “I always feel so confident when I wear ATLEIN and I never want to take them off,” says Jenner, a fan of the brand who recognizes it for its signature fusion of contemporary aesthetics and quality craftsmanship, sculptural draping and sensual Loves fluidity. “When collaborating with Antonin for Khy, we wanted to ensure that each piece evokes the same feeling in the wearer. I am so proud of this range, where each piece feels elegant and feminine whilst hugging your body perfectly.”
Jenner met ATLEIN through her stylist at a beach shoot two years ago, and even though she had just given birth and wasn’t feeling particularly well, she loved wearing the designs. Last year she launched her own label Khy – through which she is determined to offer high-fashion clothing for all body types and at affordable prices; sizes range from XXS to 4X and all items are priced under $200. As Khy evolved, the idea of collaborating with some of Jenner’s favorite designers on a special DROP series arose, and of course Tron was at the top of the list. When she approached him, the French designer jumped at the opportunity. “What I see with Kylie is this effortlessness with style and freedom,” Tron explained to American Vogue“It was really inspiring for me.”
So the two got together and dug through some of ATLEIN’s archives, including signature pieces like the draped T-shirt dress and others from past seasons like the ruffled midi-plunge dress. Tron maintained his approach to draping and Jenner brought her sense of sophistication while also focusing on bringing her vision to a wider audience. The resulting collection, DROP 012, features a mix of tops, bottoms and dresses made from Antonin’s signature stretch jersey fabric. “I want women to feel empowered and to feel empowered,” describes Tron. For Jenner, pants, cut-out tops and asymmetrical ruffled dresses are already staples in her wardrobe. The color scheme was inspired by the Californian fall and combines youthfulness and a feeling of growing up: shell, gold, black cherry, dark lemon yellow, surf spray and timeless black. “It’s a message of freedom, an acceptance of who you are, a discovery of connection to yourself,” Tron continues.
Tron’s unwavering message of self-empowerment is something fashionistas have been impressed with since Antonin launched the brand in his Paris apartment (with the help of his mother and partner Gabriele). Soon after, the newcomer with the impressive resume won (Antonin was an intern at Raf Simons and later worked for Paul Herbers at Louis Vuitton Homme and Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy before moving to the fashion house Balenciaga, where he worked with three creative directors – Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang and Demna – was allowed to work) won the prestigious Andam Prize twice: first in 2016 as a newcomer and later in 2018 with the main prize. As an avid surfer, there is a clear connection between the designer’s love of the sea and the resulting physicality of his work – the name ATLEIN is literally derived from the Atlantic coast he frequently visits. “There’s something special about that moment, early in the morning, when the fog is over the sea, when I put on my wetsuit in the parking lot and paddle out… That’s Atlein,” he explained in an interview for W Read through the magazine.
Although he was not always interested in fashion, as a teenager he dreamed of becoming a philosopher or writer and has a degree in philology. It was only a chance visit with a friend who studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, one of the most prestigious fashion institutions, that changed his mind: “I grew up during the Galliano heyday – fashion was great, but it wasn’t my thing” , he agrees W“Suddenly I saw that the fashion world was talking about the youth; It was about music I liked and things I could identify with.” Antonin took a risk, applied and was accepted, without any fashion background. And of course the rest is history.
Courtesy of Atlein
Text: Paige Silveria
