Since 2019, Bluemarble has been working to make a mosaic of cultures the ultimate foundation of its purpose. This season, its founder Anthony Alvarez summoned memories of his Franco-Filipino childhood and a trip back to the Philippines during lockdown, during which he escaped to the Siargao archipelago, a lush, eco-responsible oasis and a surfer’s paradise. The uniquely laid-back vibe of this up-and-coming new hotspot between the beach and the jungle, inspired Bluemarble Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
Surfing, as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, infuses a wardrobe that mixes languages, as trompe l’oeil pants fuse surf shorts overlaid on tailored trousers, and t-shirts are made of tex- tured, combed jersey that feels like beachwear-inspired terrycloth. Volumes are bold, oscillating between XXL proportions and pieces that are shorter and more slim-fitting.
A patchwork of stripes and a rainbow print leitmotif halo the collection with much-needed good vibes, as a symbol of peace and renewal that underscores a neo-hippy look that harks back to the 1970s.
Anthony Alvarez recycles local fabrics and reimagines the barong, the traditional Filipino collared tunic embellished with a U of embroidery to the chest; the passion for basketball played in flip-flops gets a nod in a series of sportswear pieces, alongside the surfshoe, a hybrid flip-flop created by Bluemarble. The label also debuts its first skate sneaker in animal-print patchwork, as well as a first crocodile-skin-effect bucket bag.
Flowers are omnipresent, blooming throughout the collection in exotic psychedelic prints or in embroidery made in France and India, while the sandman print makes for a whimsical incursion into island beach life.
The centerpiece – a camouflage look that’s hand-embroidered with crystal beads, gives the collection a new energy, in harmony with riveted and beaded denim made in France. Signature pieces assume their place this season in different tones and materials (like printed silk twill); while the extra long-sleeved knits and baggy pants (already present last season) form the starting point of Bluemarble’s casual collection for SS22: a unique silhouette combining diverse languages, as a vector of dreams and escapism.
