Excerpt: R13 - Spring 2025

 

"...With Two decades of 1950s esque middle class suburbia ala mortgages and Netflix (it used to be DVD players), we are long overdue for something to change.  As our society is swinging precariously towards the far right of politics, just look at Europe.  So, this illusive counter culture better get into gear, for now we just have to wait and see.  Why not do this, while dressing for the part?  And Leba's R13 may offer that attire for romanticizing, our once beloved rebellious aesthetic.

For R13's Spring 2025 collection, which was revealed at Leba's studio in SoHo, it certainly feels more stripped back than previous showings, ala the eros and amourous stylizations are peaking through.   And this trend of sexually charged hedonism, although I wouldn't say Leba's latest collection is aligned with the carnal per se, appears to be one of the current trends post-2020 pandemic.  Leba has mixed in his edgy and sexy Punk vibes, with flower prints.  And roses are very Punk rock, a fragrant smelling flower with its aggressive looking thorns.

Can the next counter culture offer a much needed fuck you?  As noted with Leba's slogan on the waistlines of R13 underwear be it his, "Fuck You, You Fucking Fuck", to a stagnated society, while placing flowers down gun barrels?"

___

Full review: chiasmusmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/09/r13-spring-2025.html

(A.Glass 2024)