Christoph Ritter Studio – ‘AL(LY)IEN’

www.christophritter.studio // @christophritterstudio

Directors: Jack Jones @jackbythegram
Jamie Bauermeister @jamiebmeister
Photography: Emalea @thisisemalea
Production Manager: Sam Kelly @glamour_factory
Production Assistant: Rachel Lin: @iam_rachelin
Director of Photography: Any Alderslade @andyalderslade
Editing: HelenaTeixeira @helenalindo
Lighting: Rupert Earl @visuals_ru
Set Design: Niall McKeever @niallmckeeverdesign
Props: Mai Sanchez @maisanchezart
Julian Emsley @julianemsley
Melissa O’Connor @light_nomad
Hair: Mika Dziuba @mikatblack
Makeup: Daniella Rose @drosemakeuplondon
Styling: Samuel Shearer @mrsamuelshearer
Nails: Rica Romain @ricaromain
Models: Radam Ridwan @radamridwan
SIUHEI @siuhei_dd
Monika Rohanova @msinartist
Fatima Najm @genius.loci_
Aba Amoah @aba_abroad

Conceived, developed, and produced during the pandemic with the limitations of several lockdowns, the collection is presented as a fashion film, which is set in an ambiguously utopian/dystopian future. In a world where pollution has led clothing factories to shut down, four beautiful ‘AL(LY)IENS’ are getting ready for the night by creating fashion out of toxic slime in their living room labs – a futuristic interpretation of sustainable creation.

The fashion film has been produced with Yellow Belt Productions and features numerous Trans- and POC activist models: SIUHEI, Fatima Najm, Monika Rohanova, Radam Ridwan and Aba Amoah.

‘AL(LY)IEN’ is a collection of future artifacts that deal with the Eurocentric alienation and appropriation of non-western beauty ideals. Developed during the pandemic, a major focus lies on overcoming borders and separations by building an inclusive digital community that pushes the limits of luxury and glamour. The shapes are hyper-feminine, subversive, and offer a futuristic point of view on womenswear. Applying traditional handicrafts used in Austria, such as embroidery and beading, and juxtaposing it with digital textile design has created alienesque semi-couture pieces reminiscent of an early Thierry Mugler.

In accordance with the designer’s ethos, all the pieces were fashioned from dead-stock, recycled materials, as well as Tencel – a fabric that is regenerated from wood pulp and cotton waste. The jersey pieces are made from Regenesis Polyester, derived from recycled plastic bottles and Econyl – a type of Nylon that is entirely made from recycled fishing nets, which were discarded into the ocean.

By collaborating with artists, designers, scientific researchers, and activists across the globe, the pieces have been designed to be inclusive, fitting various body shapes, CIS, and transgender bodies alike with the mission to overcome the alienation of any kind.