Loewe pushes the boundaries of creative craftsmanship in this magical collaboration featuring classic Japanese animation film “Howl’s Moving Castle”.
Playful, bold and uplifting – the final instalment in the collaboration between Loewe and Studio Ghibli brings the characters and scenes of the 2004 fantasy epic animated film “Howl’s Moving Castle” to life. Through intricate leather craftsmanship and unbound creativity, fans of both the film and the brand can experience the fantastical story in a wearable form.
The world we are living in needs a counteract: not as an escape, but as a different outlook. This, to me, is what Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films for Studio Ghibli are about: a commentary on the moment and an alternative to it, always heartfelt, fulfilling, full of fantasy and sentiment.
– Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director at Loewe
One of Creative Director, Jonathan Anderson’s favourite Miyazaki creations, “Howl’s Moving Castle” tells a story of loyalty and compassion set in a world of magic, technology and war. The heroic protagonist, young Sophie, was a quiet milliner until a witch’s curse turns her into an old woman who gets caught up in wizard Howl’s resistance movement. Studio Ghibli tells this visually impressive tale by blending hand-drawn and digital animation, a technically innovative move that shows how craft can bridge the old and the new to produce exhilarating results – a creative approach that Loewe shares.
An absolute visual treat, Sophie and Howl, along with the film’s other key characters — fire demon Calcifer, as well as Markl, Heen, Turnip Head, and the Witch of the Waste — appear on signature Loewe styles including iconic bags such as the Puzzle, Flamenco, Hammock, Amazona, Luna, and Bracelet pouch. Presented as leather or shearling intarsia, embroidery on leather or textile, and decorated with crystal and stud inlays on leather, the craftsmanship is exquisite. To make the characters and scenes more animated, elaborate details such as appliqué, raffia or feathers are used. Spot also, scenes of the film printed in the lining of tweed jackets, and across shirts and shorts.
Standing out the most, perhaps, is the castle itself featured as a collage of bits and remnants from our signature bags such as the Puzzle, Flamenco, Amazona, and Hammock, assembled to create a distinctive shape. A playful addition is a new scented candle in the LOEWE Home Scents range inspired by the film’s impish fire demon Calcifer – a smoky fragrance with notes of incense, immortelle, patchouli, vetiver, roasted hazelnut, cardamom and elemi.
The essence of the collection comes through in a series of striking stills by photographer Juergen Teller in his signature style. Set against a white background, Taylor Russell, Rianne Van Rompaey, Oliver O’Sullivan, Hyunji Shin, and a sheep, show their delight, marvel and curiosity as they interact with key pieces in the collection.
The message is one of uplifting connection. Crafting fantasies to create alternative realities and see the world in a different way.
– Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director at Loewe
Images courtesy of Loewe, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related Links:
Loewe x My Neighbour Totoro: Flight of Fancy
Loewe Flamenco, Resized and Reinvented.
Loewe: The Flamenco Clutch Bag
