Review by Lucas Pantoja
Selvedge denim, soft corduroy, and smooth leather build up the impeccable coolness of the items presented at Barbanera’s first ever ready-to-wear presentation. Held within the laboratory that is the Barbanera showroom, the clothes were surrounded by an assortment of western and rockstar motifs, ultimately adding to the raw aesthetic of the clothing.
For those unfamiliar with the brand, it was established in 2011 by brothers Sergio and Sebastiano Guardì along with their close friend Alessandro Pagliacci. Originally the brand was dedicated to its passionate craftsmanship of boots which continue to be the most notable products amongst the collection.
Finely tuned combinations of suede and lux leathers construct work boots, along with bold interpretations of Chelsea boots found in python and leopard prints.
The clothes are coherent with the footwear in their Texas-rockstar appeal with corduroy shirts and trousers, sherpa lined trucker jackets (one even with an outer layer constructed from Japanese kimono), leather motos, and raw Japanese selvedge jeans.
Going beyond the general ‘rocker’ look, the collection also happens to be a presentation of its founders own personal taste and style as pieces of the Guardì brothers and Pagliacci’s image can all be seen the clothing themselves.
A collection with a coherent style allowing to be mismatched in any way you like, lacking of heritage and free to be interpreted in open ways — the pieces are ideal for a wearer who doesn’t like to put too much thought into their outfit, feeling comfortable while rocking things naturally. The kind of guy to buy a pair of Chelsea boots and live them out on the road till the sole falls off.