Bassike is one of those labels whose name belies their output. Their roots may be in perfect basics (tees long enough to cover hips, drop crotch pants that became a fashionista must-have), but they've extended far, far beyond their original intent.
Their collections now include denim, shirting, outerwear and suiting, all done with the same attention to detail and eye for a trend that made their simpler starting point such a hit in the first place.
Their winter collection reads like a catalogue of wardrobe must-haves, from masculine-meets-femme-fatale suit sets that look sharp enough to slice through any glass ceiling, to checkered boyfriend-ish shirts and overcoats and perfectly cut chinos ranging from super-slim to combat baggy. There's also the season's ubiquitous denim jacket - this time aged to perfection in a wash that recalls Levi's at their late seventies heyday - and of course, the track pants, t-shirts and soft sweaters
Bassike first cut their teeth on.
My personal favourites are the cotton lace top – which is styled over a classic white shirt in the lookbook, an outfit combination I can't wait to try - and anything that features this season's Jasper print, an abstract whisper of white and soft purples that could be marbled, ink on water, or a blown up image of cells under a microscope.
And that's just for women; the menswear offering is equally delectable, with combat jackets, seasonally relevant low-and-slim pant cuts, long lined sweaters and hoodies and snappier suits and shirting. There's even a reference to the super stylish Swedish lumberjack trend, in the form of a checked wool overshirt. Indeed, both the mens and womenswear has the same soft-fingered minimalism and classic eye that makes Swedish labels like Acne and Filippa K so impressive. This understated aesthetic is dynamite when teamed with Bassike's fabrication policy - all natural and obscenely, touch-ably luxurious.
The lookbook's soft but sharp photography by Beau Grealy, and spare but novel styling from Caterina Scardino perfectly highlight the collection. My only problem now is forgetting the deep sense of shame I feel at ever dressing any other way.
Words by Alyx Gorman. More at
thevine.com.au and
bassike.com.