Since being founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli boasts a catalogue of twenty-three whimsical films and has stayed at the forefront of pop culture ever since providing us all a world of escapism from the daily hustle. With a newly opened theme park in Japan, the beloved anime animation house shows no signs of slowing down.
Now, the animation studio is teaming up with luxury brand Loewe for one last collaboration inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle. After the worldwide success of the Spirited Away Collection, it only seemed fitting to collaborate again.
The Howl’s Moving Castle collection features the film’s key characters—Sophie, Howl, fire demon Calcifer, as well as Markl, Heen, Turnip Head, and the Witch of the Waste—animating clothing and accessories: drawn as leather or shearling intarsia, turned into embroidery on leather or textile, decorated with crystal and stud inlays on leather.
The characters appear on bags including the Puzzle, Flamenco, Hammock, Amazona, Luna, and Bracelet pouch, on small leather goods, and on jumpers, jackets, and shirts, with details such as appliqué, raffia or feathers making them stand out as if they were alive.
Creative director Jonathan Anderson — who called the beloved film “one of my favorite [Hayao] Miyazaki creations” — reimagined some of the most recognisable characters and scenes from the animation across ready-to-wear, handbags and accessories.
“The world we are living in needs a counteract: not as an escape, but as a different outlook,” Anderson said in a statement. “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.”
Loewe’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” capsule drops on Feb. 2 globally, for more information visit the Dubai Mall Pop up or: Loewe.com
