JW Anderson’s SS23 collection, shown on 17th September 2022 in a gaming arcade in London, was a gallery of other realities, either fake or alternative, in which to fall and dive, headfirst. He presented a parallel world of people trapped in computers, blending with keyboards and screensavers, in an exploration of other dimensions. Nature was filtered by the digital ego, becoming a personal collateral. The arcade, after all, is not just for gamers.

Proportions were mega, technology became degraded shimmers and shines. Objects were trapped within items of clothing and screensavers that land over the body, on bags, and accessories.. The message was one of realism – for whatever real means today – delivered with a reductionist language that charged each piece with the status of a blunt statement.

The collection followed a path from sunrise to sunset, the succession highlighting essential shapes, magnified details, it was a plain yet twisted obviousness. There were crumpled t-shirts with humongous washing tags; camisoles so big, one bra cup served as a whole top; a waistline that had migrated to the neckline; giant keyboard keys as decorations. Dresses are completely abstract in their balloon shape: a plastic bag, with a red fish trapped inside; a sculpted mirror; and prints worthy of a garden chair. Leisure is important to Anderson, so a hammock became a dress while jumpers and tees hung from laundry hangers. There was a strong focus on the shoulder, which was hollowed out from the inside; in shimmering tailoring and dresses. Size matters at JW Anderson.

Discover all the looks below.