LOEWE “Eye/LOEWE/Nature” Spring 2019 Capsule
“The more details you know about a certain subject, the more you can do with the image you’re trying to capture”, says Kengi Kwong as we fire up the engine of our vintage 1976 Volkswagen Microbus packing just a few extra clothes, good coffee and camping gear. As we drive through unfamiliar roads, further and further away from the city, we begin to see an increasing abundance of biodiversity, all unkept and wild and green. Ideas rise up slowly in these vast, verdant terrains where inspiration becomes as available as the surrounding nature. We’ve taken our editorial along the greeny mountains to capture the spirit of the LOEWE “Eye/LOEWE/Nature” Collection in a short film titled “Nature’s Calling”. Here we explore the sprawling landscapes with Kengi, a freelance videographer, who often trails the great outdoors in search for inspiration whenever he feels overwhelmed by big city life.
The latest “Eye/LOEWE/Nature” Spring 2019 Capsule reflects the spirit of nature and outdoor adventure. From technical mountain parkas to multi-pocket cargos, relaxed cotton shirts, leather bags and fleeced layers, each piece is made to meet the functional needs of idyllic countryside trailing. Standout highlights include the Made In Japan pieces that range from rugged backpacks, messengers, tote bags and sling sacks. The pieces are hand-sewn from high-grade canvas with a special calfskin trim that produces a delicate finish, while details such as inner zip pockets, leather patches, contrast stitching and cushions are added throughout. Other featured pieces include weather-proof jackets, knit sweaters made from semi-recycled cotton, leather hiking boots, logo tees and sweatshirts. As an assemblage that balances sunny hues with brownish patinas, it’s the nature inspirations that make this collection a modern expression of luxury.
Check out our short film above and scroll below to see our exclusive lookbook alongside a few excerpts of our Q&A below. Click here for the full interview and shop the collection below.
HBX: How did you find inspiration in Hong Kong?
Kengi: When I was still just a junior, my director always encouraged me to pay attention to the things around me: The more details you know about a certain subject, the more you can do with the image you’re trying to capture.
Hong Kong is such a unique place in that there are skyscrapers everywhere. I would sometimes go up to the rooftops to take various aerial shots, hoping to capture Hong Kong in different angles, which eventually developed into my style of storytelling.
H: So how did you get into hiking and camping?
K: When I was 16, my friends and I had a little group where we would go out and have adventures in the wilderness. We called ourselves “Wild Dogs”. I remember our first time camping. It was in Cheung Sheung, Sai Kung. We couldn’t find the proper trail, so we used our machetes to open up a pathway for ourselves. What we thought would be a two-hour walk alarmingly became a four-hour hike, but we kept going in hopes of finding a suitable resting area. Eventually, after being struck with hunger and exhaustion, we managed to set up our camp and start a fire. It was really one of the most memorable moments of my life.
Ever since, we found ourselves fascinated with nature. We took every chance that was available and found every excuse to go hiking together. Whether it was hiking, rock climbing, or camping, as long as we surrounded by nature, we just had to do it.
