Florin Dobre showcased his latest ready-to-wear collection for AW16 at the 4th Floor Studios, 255-259 Commercial Rd/Tower. The collection named ‘NEPSIS’ which is greek and is an important idea in Orthodox Christian theology, considered the hallmark of sanctity. It is a state of watchfulness or sobriety acquired following a long period of catharsis.
Florin Dobre is a Romanian designer born in Dobrogea, the region where the first Dacians were christened in the first century of our era; the same Dacians who were among the first christened people in
history during the First Century AD.
The meaning of the collection NEPSIS name – The last (re)legion is: “it’s time to look back in order to be able to look forward and see the world with different eyes, with a clear and alert mind and with an open heart, ready to guard our minds, ready to guard our hearts…”
The term NEPSIS comes from the New Testament: “Be alert and of sober-minded. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. There the term ‘NEPSIS’ appears as a verb, as an urgent command to vigilance and awareness: “be alert and awake”.
Throughout the collection, Dobre shows off different styles and cultures, using symbolism and religious iconography predominantly within the runway showcase. Key pieces within this collection are long coats with luxe inner linings, leather gloves and high necklines. Dobre creates beautiful silhouettes that show off a different type of man and how he would dress to impress, this collection is full of beautiful colours, patterns and textiles. Keeping the collection quite modest but quite daring too.
Photography by Chris Yates.