Introducing Aganovich & Yung…

 

The week prior to show season and the post box starts to fill with hints of what’s to come. Catwalk invitations can often provide a sample of the mood, a teasing glimpse of the collections inspiration. ‘Let’s Murder The Moonshine,’ announced an invite/printed silky square. A further inspection of the envelope revealed it was from Aganovich & Yung, a new design duo showing off schedule.

 

 

Curious, I typed ‘Aganovich & Yung’ into a well known search engine, not much turned up – the mystery deepens. A week later, straight after Robert Cary-Williams at the BFC tent a mass of fashion addicts head across the road to the Ciné Lumiere. It certainly is smart thinking to find a venue in the immediate area. Greeted with some rather nice nosh and wine – waiting was made all the more pleasurable.

 

 

So who are Aganovich & Yung? {mosimage}

 

 

Graduates from, you guessed it, Central Saint Martin’s. Womenswear designers – Nana Aganovich and Ahlaiya Yung decided from the off to work together rather than go it alone. Yung, though himself American, has roots in Hong Kong and the pair thought it would be the ideal place to set up their own production facility. With a modest private investment they developed ‘The Missing Sock Studio,’ starting out with two machinists that they trained themselves. A few years down the line and they now employ twelve machinists, two pattern cutters and have relocated to larger premises twice. Securing contracts with some of London’s top designers ‘The Missing Sock Studio’ has become known for its quality workmanship and ethical working practises.

 

 

 

{mosimage}Talented designers in their own right Aganovich and Yung decided it was high time to launch a collection of their own. Selecting the backdrop of a darkened movie theatre, models paraded across the stage and up and down the aisles while a black & white chef movie flickered away on screen. Not your usual kind of show – but Aganovich & Yung aren’t your usual kind of designers.

 

 

 

{mosimage}Presenting sleek silhouettes in slinky silks and satins you are immediately struck by the top-notch quality. Inspirations ranged from the 20’s and 30’s, the Bauhaus movement, Italian Futurism (forming the collections title), clowns, opulence and a dose of quirky fun. The result: fluid satin dresses featuring asymmetrical cuts, cut-away sections, masculine lapels and capes, along with pant suits, pencil skirts and wrap-over tops in a palette of deep ruby, black and white. It was all very sensuous with additional contrasts – plus a humorous knife & fork motif to boot.

 

{mosimage}

 

 

Fed, watered and entertained, Aganovich & Yung’s debut ‘Let’s Murder The Moonshine’ S/S 06 collection proved a big hit with audience, that included Cat Deeley, I might add. A pair to keep an eye on throughout the coming seasons – just remember where you read about them first!

 

 

 

Images courtesy of Blow PR

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles