AELIZA is Exploring Different Perspectives of Freedom

London-based brand AELIZA has just dropped its brand-new “Autonomy” capsule and it sees the brand explore different perspectives of freedom through the imprint’s most expansive collection of garments to date.

Over recent times, AELIZA has continued to stay on the radars of fashion lovers throughout the UK through limited drops that are centered around a handful of styles. For example, its “XL Pack,” which dropped in collaboration with emerging UK rappers Lord Apex and Vinch, focused on branded a hoodie with a corresponding tee. Furthermore, the brand’s most recent drop welcomed a new Messenger Bag that allowed fans to get their hands on one in exchange for a book.

Now, AELIZA’s latest collection explores a wide variation of fabrications such as knitwear and cotton, while new silhouettes are also introduced to keep wearers prepared against Britain’s unpredictable weather. Collection highlights include new hoodie variations that tap into hues of blue, white, and black, while a new outerwear jacket has been crafted with a low-riding silhouette with technical zippers.

Elsewhere, the collection also welcomes new T-shirt designs — including a womenswear crop top — and tailored trousers that can be effortlessly partnered with the brand’s all-new branded socks.

Now, with the new collection out for the world to see, Hypebeast caught up with AELIZA founder, Jack Harper, to find out more about how the collection came to light, what inspired it, and what’s up next.

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What does this collection symbolize for you?

The collection for me is the aim to reassure people that we act as a foundation for ‘you’ – rather than the latter. You, the individual, define and shape Aeliza instead of the other way around. We’ve been working on this for quite a while. Secondly, for us, it symbolizes perspective: I want us all to be closer and by showcasing people’s different perspectives which we’ve not filtered in any way, I hope people see differences and similarities. Ultimately I want people to live their truth. And that is by owning up to their own sense of individualism.

This is your most expansive offering to date — what was your vision with the pieces for this collection?

For the past year or so we’ve been locked into doing monthly clothing releases. This has been great, however, it prevented us from telling a wider story that involves a multitude of pieces/looks. There’s only so much concept you can boil down to an individual garment which I guess in our case is restrictive. The monthly drops creatively are restrictive. This was a great release for us from the standpoint of an expansive idea/concept which needed more depth in being able to present.

“Aeliza isn’t exclusive to just the creative. We want to engage with people from all walks of life and profession.”

The vision was the same as the first, and that’s being comfortable with the ‘self’; there’s no Nylon in this collection again; an array of soft materials such as Moleskin and Wool; introduction to Photographic imagery with the Monobloc chair and Lion man; a color palette which embodies the perspectives of freedom, from forest greens to sunset oranges.

With all these new elements something we wanted to maintain is a sense of balance. Everything has to be wearable and serve a purpose. I don’t think I could with this project ever go to avant grade with the clothes. As the idea is extremely in-depth and does not have one tagline, the balance is to have approachable clothes.

You’ve worked with an array of rising creatives who you are friends and family of the brand to model the range — what was your motivation for this?

I think for us it was the most authentic thing to do. We didn’t want it to be people who aren’t a part of our story. Most importantly, creative or not, they are individuals – whom I know in my time have incredible minds, offer a strong perspective, and have great stories to tell. Aeliza isn’t exclusive to just the creative. We want to engage with people from all walks of life and profession. Having friends onboard representing Aeliza is the most on-brand thing we could have possibly done. It’s hard to get strangers to open up in the vulnerable sense the way our friends did.

“Aeliza needs to be a place that is democratic and not pretentious but yet, not afraid to talk the truth.”

How do you want people to think, feel and interact with this collection?

Certainly an evolution of what we have been doing and where it can be displayed. We believe there is at least one thing that a certain type of person would see purpose in, and I guess it’s just aiming to maintain that special connection. That’s to not just look at it from an aesthetic lens but one that has a sense of meaning attached to it. It’s certainly a more mature collection which I think will continue to develop in the years to come. But what we don’t want it to become is restrictive. Aeliza needs to be a place that is democratic and not pretentious but yet, not afraid to talk the truth.

Freedom of expression plays a big part in the ethos of this collection — how do these clothes embody that?

To be honest I find that it’s everything else around the clothes that conveys freedom of expression. These clothes have no value until someone is wearing them. And that’s where the appropriation of the product comes in. The individuals in the collection embody the value of the clothing.

“We want to engage with people from all walks of life and profession.”

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

We have our first showroom in Paris which we’re incredibly grateful for. Our intention from the start was to always go into retail. It’s nice that the steps are finally being made to make it happen. It’s felt like a long time coming – and I think from this point that’s all we’re focusing on. Some loose plans are there in the future but for now, that’s the only certainty!

You can take a closer look at the new collection from AELIZA above and be sure to keep an eye on the brand’s official Instagram page for further release details.