Mackintosh 0003

Kiko Kostadinov’s third collection for Mackintosh draws on the brand’s own past and their connection to the British Rail service. The idea of a mid-century British railway station symbolising the meeting point of engineers, conductors, drivers, labourers and passengers — and all of the literal and figurative uniforms that entails — informed the characters that are at the heart of 0003.

Following in the tradition of Kostadinov’s prior work for Mackintosh, 0003 has a particular focus on a single material. Felt inspiration is taken from the works of artist Robert Morris and the series of industrial felt pieces he made between 1967 to 1969 which manifests itself in the grey mottled felt flight coat and the colour palette — which ranges from russet orange knits and racing green paper jerseys to loose-weave thistle knitwear — as well as the soft materiality that takes its cue from Robert Morris’ mysterious felt sculpture ‘Vetti V’.

This season marks a move away from previous hyperprecision in favour of a softer, more sensual lens. The coats are oversized, designed to throw on with careless élan. Military trousers styled to a plus-four silhouette and Cambridge scarves are insouciantly draped around the neck, while rubberised bags, hand-finished in Scotland, are protectively carried under the arm. Fine-gauge knitwear with a raised asymmetric stripe jacquard and high-waisted, knife-pleat trousers are significant cornerstones. 
British railway uniforms from the ‘60s — reimagined with perpendicular collars, curved sleeves and elongated trousers — form the crux of the collection, as well as a new proposition of layering staples that are designed to soften their signature harder-edged outerwear.

Mackintosh’s signature textile is also central to the story. There is a single-breasted popper button trench coat, an adaptable double-faced wool pea coat, a casual cotton flight jacket cut with oversized proportions and, to close, a Metropolitan policemans cape in the British brand’s signature rubberised cotton.