Chulaap, the vibrant and eclectic Cape Town-based fashion label known for its unique prints and playful designs, was selected as the Guest Designer Project for Pitti Immagine Uomo 104.
Chulaap unveiled the label’s Spring/Summer 2024 Collection titled “Sea Explorer.” Inspired by the captivating beauty of the ocean, this collection weaves together a tapestry of colours, prints, and silhouette that evoke the spirit of ocean living. From pirates to lobsters and sea shells, the Sea Explorer Collection transported visitors to Pitti Immagine into a world of colourful tranquillity.
The enigmatic Chu, founder and creative force behind Chulaap, said he drew inspiration for the collection from his daily encounters with the ocean and its breezy allure in Cape Town. Each garment in the Sea Explorer Collection reflects Chu’s personal fascination with elements such as pirate tattoos, which he interprets in a sexy and romantic fashion, while incorporating raw rope textures.
Playing with fabrics like extra spandex, bull cotton, mohair silk, Chu meticulously hand crafted each piece. The entire collection showcased in Florence was proudly made in South Africa, supporting local small businesses.
Chu is always committed to promoting fellow South African designers alongside his work and Cape Town-based milliner Crystal Birch and handbag designer Missibaba created accessories for the Sea Explorer collection by Chulaap.
True to the brand’s signature style of layered prints, Chulaap’s collection offered endless possibilities for layering, inviting wearers to experiment and create several playful looks with his designs. Against the backdrop of the pirate ship wallpaper, the collection effortlessly merged femininity with menswear, adding an alluring twist to fashion’s boundaries.
Chulaap’s distinctive aesthetic draws inspiration from fashion eras spanning the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, fusing timeless elegance with contemporary flair.
www.chulaap.com @ChuSuwannpha
