In the 55th edition of São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW), Apartamento 03 showcased their highly anticipated ” Silva ” collection in collaboration with Pura, a renowned footwear brand known for its classic and timeless designs. The collection for the summer of 2024 draws inspiration from the still-life works of Estevão Silva, an esteemed black artist and the first prominent painter of the 19th century who graduated from the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro.
The collaboration with Pura brought a unique touch to the runway, as all the shoes featured in the show were specially created for this occasion. Around 30 pairs of three different shoe models were produced, incorporating the exquisite leather and fabrics from the Silva collection.
Embracing a bold and stimulating colour palette, the collection harmoniously blends classic tones like black, off-white, and burgundy with vibrant shades of blue and metallic green. The prints showcased in the collection, inspired by Estevão Silva’s artworks, beautifully convey the connection between fruit, the land, and Brazil’s rich soil fertility.
Luiz Claudio, the stylist and creative director of Apartamento 03, passionately explains the significance of this collection. He states, “Son of enslaved people who believed that there could be no more precise colour or precious design than what you see on your canvases, Apartamento 03’s Summer 2024 delves into the narratives inspired by the painter Estevão Roberto Silva. Rare are the records that tell the story of the first black artist trained at the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century.”
In the creation of this collection, Apartamento 03 pays homage to traditional atelier techniques, incorporating intricate pleats and transparencies. The essence of the brand, characterized by elegant and well-cut tailoring, remains intact while exploring the boundaries of artistic expression. The pursuit of authentic Brazilian art has driven the brand to challenge the artistic norms of its time. With “SILVA,” Luiz Cláudio, who shares the Silva surname, reinterprets and infuses the values cultivated by Estevão Silva, harnessing the power of the name to influence the design of each piece. The result is a striking, contemporary, and profoundly meaningful collection.
“SILVA” encapsulates the essence of time, representing both transience and permanence. This collection celebrates resilience, artistic evolution, and the enduring impact of those who leave a profound mark on history.
By Even Grazielly Escocio