In the world of fashion, Stefano Pilati is highly regarded for his talent and effortless style. He is often compared to Robert de Montesquiou, with a punk twist. Pilati has graced the runway for Louis Vuitton and appeared in Anonymous Club’s lookbook. He even makes a mysterious appearance in his own press materials for Random Identities.
During a phone call, Pilati explained, “Many people relate to the way I put the clothes together. So, it’s like I’m trying on the collection myself and having someone take a picture. I didn’t want to physically be in the picture, but I wanted to convey the right attitude for the clothes.” In these images, Pilati’s face and body are silhouetted and removed, allowing others to insert their own identity. However, his gestures bring life to the clothes. He even suggests accessorizing with sparkly chandelier earrings. “It’s not meant to provoke, it’s meant to be fun and draw more attention to the clothes. You can see them in action, while still understanding the simplicity and essence of the three-piece attitude.”
Frivolity doesn’t fit the current mood, which makes the idea of returning to the basics appropriate. This foundational approach is integral to Random Identities. As a mission-driven clothing label, it deliberately maintains a quiet and irresistibly alluring niche. Take, for example, the first look: a car coat made from a beautiful technical fabric that drapes elegantly. It appears classic, but there’s something different about it. According to the designer, “Everything is elevated, so the pockets sit a bit too high, and there are only three buttons.” Meanwhile, track pants and shorts draw inspiration from traditional khakis but feature a delicate curved hem that gracefully accentuates the thigh. The jeans incorporate slits above the back of the knee, enticingly whispering, “Follow me, uncover my secrets.”
Continuing the inspiration from ski wear, a pair of gray trousers with black geometric insets exudes a sturdy and crisp feel. Overall, the collection embodies a soft, pajama-like ease. Noteworthy pieces include pleated, creased, and tapered pistachio-colored pants made from a poly-silk cady material, which deviate from the expected. “That specific silhouette refers to the glamour of the early 1980s, when shoulder pads were big, pants had large pleats, and they tapered at the bottom. They were typically worn with pointy shoes featuring a kitten heel,” elaborated Pilati.
Pilati works with deadstock materials and avoids creating vast collections. Based in Berlin, he operates slightly outside the confines of the fashion system. Although his clothes are designed for anyone who wishes to wear them, exploring different facets of queerness is one of his missions. While creating this collection, Pilati studied the history of the culture, and the stills in some backgrounds were inspired by the documentaries he watched. “I wanted to remind everyone of our current situation and that history tends to repeat itself,” he explained. If Pilati has his way, these revolutions will lead to evolutionary changes.