Dark Matter

The designer Philipp Plein attracts attention wherever he goes. But as his brand continues to grow on a global scale and cements its strong identity, its presence is undeniable.

- Renée Batchelor

The Philipp Plein flagship store in Marina Bay Sands is an impressive, eye-catching duplex. As befitting the brand, it is a maximalist’s dream space with sleek steel fixtures, marble flooring and huge crystal chandeliers. It is also the perfect showcase for the designer’s clothing that is known for its intricate and decadent embellishments — think Swarovski crystals, leather, buckles and bling. Throughout his 20-year career, Plein has always seemed to attract attention, simply by not playing by the unspoken rules of fashion’s dictum.

His fashion shows are high-budget spectacles with music performances and celebrity guests, which make other fashion presentations seem staid in comparison. Plein has a clear idea of what these shows should achieve. “You cannot create anything new anymore and creating a big event to present the collection it’s about giving a democratic and inclusive experience to my public. In June, we had 5,000 people in total at my show. It was a fun party and not the usual fashion show,” says Plein in an email interview with T Singapore.

Plein has also always moved nimbly, perhaps because as an independent company he has the bandwidth to do so. His casting of models is diverse and his inspirations myriad. For its latest Fall/ Winter ’19 collection, there are nods to cowboy imagery with splashes of neon, metallics and tartan proving that Philipp Plein is always evolving while still maintaining the brand’s DNA. And the quick expansion of the brand, highlighted by its big foray into Singapore, has proven that it has amassed a loyal following since its creation in 2008.