Christophe Lemaire for Bean Pole by oki-ni

The term “Novö” was first coined by French rock critic and writer Yves Adrien in 1978 in anticipation of the mechanization of rock and pop music. From the author’s cult novel NOVO-VISION, the word was later appropriated to encompass the European New Wave movement that included the sub-genres of post-punk, proto-electronic and minimal-wave. Drawing on these notions, distinguished designer Christophe Lemaire and Korean label Bean Pole have come together for Fall/Winter 2012’s “Novö” collection – a range of garments designed around a minimal, clean, urban and somewhat cold aesthetic. Lemaire already has an impressive resume — the French designer helped to resurrect Lacoste in 2000 and currently serves as Artistic Director of Hermès Women’s Ready-to-Wear. For his latest project, Lemaire’s collection infuses his signature, easy touches with the electronica inspiration of Novö and Bean Pole’s own aesthetic, for a range of suits, outerwear, knitwear and shirting that are often extreme in nature. As expected, modernity abounds — silhouettes are clean, contemporary and fitted, with functional twists. The New Wave-inspired trench coats, for example, include removable down linings, while garments showcase geometric shapes, grid-like patterns and all-over prints. Elsewhere, Lemaire plays off the struggles implied by the Novo concept — between technology and humanity perhaps — with contrasting colors, collars and fits. Constructed with strong, clear colors — yellow, black, white and gray — and luxurious fabrics, the Christophe Lemaire for Bean Pole “Novo” collection is now available at oki-ni.