Founded by Deborah Barton and Lisa Liberati, ENCOMMÚN Official has long been at the forefront of challenging traditional fashion norms. Their latest collection, LUCID, emerges from a time of deep emotional reflection and boldly confronts societal expectations of femininity. With a playful yet powerful defiance, the collection blends masculine and feminine elements, offering a new narrative on womanhood. LUCID celebrates the complexity of strength and sensitivity, empowering women to reclaim their autonomy and voice. In this interview, co-founder Deborah Barton discusses the creative inspiration behind LUCID, the collection’s exploration of identity, and ENCOMMÚN’s commitment to sustainable, boundary-pushing fashion.
What inspired the creation of your latest collection, LUCID?
LUCID is the result of deep introspection during a time of heightened emotional intensity for women everywhere. The collection embodies a playful defiance against these expectations, offering empowerment through humor and irreverence. It’s about finding your own voice amid the noise.
In what ways do the designs within LUCID push against conventional definitions of femininity, and what fresh insights do they bring to the concepts of identity and self-expression?
LUCID plays with the tension between masculine and feminine energies, challenging traditional definitions of femininity. Pieces like the oversized men’s shirt, buttoned only at the top and layered with the chainmail pasties bra, turn femininity into a form of armor rather than something that needs protection. The collection invites women to view their womanhood as a strength—something powerful and resilient, rather than a vulnerability.
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What elements of the LUCID collection highlight the relationship between strength and sensitivity, and how are these characteristics reflected in the various designs?
LUCID plays with the duality of strength and sensitivity through contrasts in both materials and silhouette. There’s a deliberate tension in many of the pieces—like the chainmail cape with strong padded shoulders and an open back—the contrast reflects both physical and emotional strength, softened by moments of vulnerability. This speaks to the complex nature of womanhood.
Can you discuss how your personal experiences shaped the creation of this collection?
The concept of female autonomy has been a struggle for me since childhood, growing up in Buenos Aires. Reflecting on these early experiences and seeing similar struggles in today’s world made me realize how universal these feelings are. LUCID is deeply influenced by this reflection, channeling an exploration of autonomy, empowerment, and the shared experiences of women across cultures.
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Are there specific pieces within LUCID that you believe are particularly significant or encapsulate the essence of the collection’s theme?
Two stand-out pieces for me are the “Little Box Skirt” and the “Chainmail Pasties Bra.” Both explicit and absurd to underline female objectification. The chainmail fringe skirt, with its sheer material and square shape, plays on the vulnerability of the female form while using humor to block or “cover” it, reclaiming control. The “Chainmail Pasties Bra” flips the concept of medieval armor, into a barely-there defense of modesty. Both pieces could also work as accessories, highlighting that sexuality is just one aspect of womanhood, not the whole story.
How does LUCID align with ENCOMMÚN Official’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in terms of the materials and production processes used?
Sustainability is at the core of ENCOMMÚN Official, and LUCID builds on this by using luxurious, eco-friendly fabrics like cotton, merino wool, and silk blends. The collection is entirely produced in LA, minimizing our carbon footprint. We’ve also introduced zero-waste techniques, including a silk scrap crochet hat, which reflects our continuous effort to reduce waste.
We’d love to know what is next for ENCOMMÚN Official. Do you anticipate continuing this introspective approach in future collections, or are there other themes you wish to explore?
The introspective journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I imagine we’ll continue exploring these personal narratives. However, creativity is fluid, and I’m excited about pushing boundaries further. Who knows where the next collection might take us—perhaps into entirely new realms of exploration, like examining human connection through an otherworldly lens.
Presented by APG
