photographs by Spyros Rennt
Taking part for the first time at Milan Fashion Week, A Better Mistake presents a preview of their genderless Spring/Summer ’23 collection and their latest series of see-now-buy-now drops, which include “Influx”, a collaboration with visual artist Kushlet, “Aoi”, and the freshly launched “Persona.”
A Better Mistake “Eternal” explores the intersection of digital and physical worlds, and seeks to define the value of the digital as a whole within the installation “Alter Dimensions.”
For Spring/Summer ‘23 “Eternal”, the brand’s iconic Touch Me intarsia garments, made of high-end Italian viscose and techno yarn, appear in a new acid green variant. The silk twinset is crafted in an exclusive, thick silk fabric, in a diagonal structure. The “Eternal” print, created by NY-based artist Running File, appears across a variety of items: the quilted “Eternal” jacket with engineered print placement in the front and the back, the silk shirt with additional “Chromo” print on the chest, and the technical dress in a tight & short silhouette. The “Eternal” denim look is made of hand-sprayed organic cotton.
The “Hero” print from the collaboration with Running File is applied to hoodies and T-shirts, as well as a twinset of shirt and shorts in an ultra light fabric. The print quite literally sets the tone for the whole collection, merging the blues, lilac, and shades of purple in other looks. The “Gate” graphic was created by Milan-based artist Ultra Creature and morphs into the Modular earrings.
The brand’s best-selling pajama look now comes in two different fabrics — a striped gray and blue viscose version, and a monochromatic lilac jacquard in “Chromo” monogram — half matte, half satin.
Last but not least, a special collaboration with The End is Near, called “God’s Mistake” is presented, composed of two incredible handmade pieces, a custom-made dress and a sci-fi face mask.
Spring/Summer ‘23 marks the introduction of the “Artist Collection” conceived for collaborations on show pieces, which is kicked off with a true highlight — an acid yellow tailored look that features a “Chromo” transfer to the sleeve, and is finished by hand in aerosol shades of gray and black.
The presentation, in collaboration with queer creatives from Berlin, brings the German capital’s underground mindset to Milan. It takes place at A Better Mistake’s headquarters, a transdisciplinary creative space located on Via Fusetti 8, on the Naviglio Grande, one of the city’s most evocative and vibrant areas.
The collection is not presented on your regular model type. It comes to life on dancers and performance artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Rather than a simple showcase of clothes, the presentation aims to express and embody its values with an unbridled, artful approach. Dancers hailing from Milano’s major international theater La Scala share the stage with the voguing and rave scenes in a firework of identities.
The installation “Alter Dimensions” completes the performance through sound. Two Berlin-based DJs, Alva and Raven, manifest the concept of warped dimensions as they perform in a futuristic and sound proof glass pod. “Alter Dimensions” explores and develops the different forms of artificial space, ranging between digital, physical and the metaverse. What is actually real, what isn’t? The interaction between the installation and the performers is integral to the presentation. A transdisciplinary approach forms the core of A Better Mistake, along with the creation of safe spaces where people are free to experiment, experience, and express.
The experimental spectacle is documented by the analog lens of internationally-renowned, Berlin-based photographer Spyros Rennt and distilled into a movie, as envisioned by A Better Mistake’s Creative Director Madame_Inc, and movie director Byron Rosero.