Despair immediately makes everyone think of a dark pit we cannot crawl out of. But do we ever considered seeing it as a gateway to reaching goals? The art collective To Seventh Heaven and clothing brand Populace did just that. In their newest collection promptly named “Dreams and Despair”, they translate the concept of a hero’s journey into pastel & monochrome wearables.
The first detail one would see from the teasers alone would be their usage of our ‘90s anime heroes. Characters from Ghost Fighter and Inuyasha plays a heavy role by being the heart of this collection. The close up of the leads’ faces at the moment of sheer determination and breaking points graces the backs of their pullovers and shirts. “The collection focuses on the beautiful side of a person’s feeling of hopelessness, and how recognizing his despair can help him achieve his dreams,” the description of their lookbook reads.
“The collection focuses on the beautiful side of a person’s feeling of hopelessness, and how recognizing his despair can help him achieve his dreams.”
Science dictates that for bones to grow stronger, they first need to break. This collaboration captures the beauty of this fact well. Through the familiar 2D faces of anime heroes we watch growing up, we wear their moments of anguish that eventually lead to their victories as well. Will it bless us on our journeys or make us look pretty in anime pastel? Check their collection below and see for yourself.
Art Direction by Joshua Villanueva
Photographs by Matias Caluma
Layout by Joshua Villanueva
Styling by Joseph Ligero and Joshua Villanueva
Assisted by Darren Ferrer and Jeg Nealega
Modeled by Kaila Serrano and Joseph Ligero
Want to cop out some of the pieces? Hit them up on The Seventh Heaven’s Facebook page.