Highlighting fashion blending rock influences with feminine textures through bleeding delicate details with bold designs, Aniye Records rises as an Italian fashion brand. Founded by Alessandra Marchi, its fashion design is renowned for its influence from rock stars like The Runaways, David Bowie, and Sid & Nancy. We are instantly reminded of the glamor of rock through the presentation of leather styled with various punk details. Most satisfyingly, Aniye Records rises as an expressive, creative endeavor diverging from mainstream Italian fashion designs through the contrasts between pairing soft materials with layers of bold details. Lace, silk, leather, de-constructed textures, asymmetry and layers form a rhythm together, a combination that one could not imagine meshing together but it just makes sense.

Aniye Records recently released “Gothic Ghost” as its Autumn/Winter 2023 collection. Gothic Ghosts re-imagines horror and ghost themes in a daring yet soft light, holding a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Ghostly qualities are incorporated delicately and intentionally, mixing white, gray and black details with transparent materials like lace. Elements of light Gothic style are interlaced with delicate and feminine intricate details in breathtaking lace trimmings sewn together with corsets and light, airy dresses. The mix of textures provides a sensory experience, as we experience the softness of pillows and silk while viewing the contrast between the ghost theme with textures of softness like feathers and sheer fabrics. Gothic Ghost encapsulates a dreamy and memorable atmosphere over traditional interpretations of horror themes. Recognizably, Gothic Ghost is undeniably a collection by Aniye Records. Even in a ghost theme, the brand’s rock influences emerge through the white and light blues styled with studded leather. In the venture towards creative freedom, Aniye Records brings to life a scope of imagination, materializing what is usually concealed and rejecting the notions of creative confinement. Aniye Records, when describing its collection, announces an intention to capture “the ghost that everyone has in them” to interpret the “creative madness we all have inside.”

Pushing the confinements of a narrow industry brings innovative ideas to the future of fashion design. The ‘creative madness’ Aniye Records harnesses is encapsulated in its fashion shows and collections, as well as its Ready to Wear collection.

The “Flared Evelyn” emphasizes rock influences through its stylization with studded blazers, symmetrical ruffles and nostalgic flair. The pants create an alluring masculine and mysterious sense. Yet, their stylization with the frilled shirt adds a soft gleam, adding a dimension of interesting texture relationships to the outfit. The crème frilled top paired with the dark, stark black pants adds a glamorous quality due to the contrast between the darkness and the pure white accents. Undeniably, the outfit is sulky and sharp --- a vision of a rockstar.

Many people have their own imaginations about their dream party dress, and for many, the “Willow Dress” is the perfect encapsulation. Taking a popular, trendy silhouette dress shape we are familiar with, the garment is given an edge by incorporating shiny stars that add a personalized dimension. Paired with frilly, soft girlish “Babylace” socks, the popular dress silhouette is given new life and thoughts about stylization. Aniye Records pieces are versatile in how they can be styled and can bring about new impressions through the way they are accessorized and worn.

In a regal yet careless and intentional way, the “Bustier Junip” top brings strong yet sensual impressions. The core of the top lies in the ribbons as they are strapped and laced throughout the top, standing out as they look as though they are coming undone through the loose shoulder ties. The intentional careless look re-imagines the nature of corsets. The piece is clearly expensive yet hangs off the model like loose fabric, creating an interesting new styling of corsets as corsets have popularly been used as a fashion piece of structure and security. The piece is styled with a necklace embodying old English influence, altogether bringing a refreshing, contemporary outlook on historical pieces.

Finally, my dream dress, “Hanna” captivates attention through the embodied contradiction between being an asymmetrical lace piece that does not look unfinished. The see-through garment is dark and captivating, reminding me of romanticism-era paintings. The twists and wrapping of the dress, from the “Babylace” socks to the top, allude to the imagery of curtains that could belong to the quarters of a castle, playing on imagination and story-like ideas. At the bust of the dress, there are safety pin details with jewelry and accessories hanging from the dress. The dress takes a life of its own, presenting itself as an art piece with every detail intentional. The dress demands attention, and as viewers, we can't help but look further to discover more about the garment.

Aniye Records has left a lasting impression on me as a fashion brand breaking the surface of mainstream fashion design, bringing about old influences blended with contemporary re-imaginations. From “Gothic Ghost” to the Ready to Wear collection, Aniye Records is a label name to look out for. Aniye ---an absolute dream.

Article by Kairui Cheng, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Summer Safi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Photo references

(2023, March 1). MFW: ANIYE RECORDS Fall Winter 2023.24 Collection. DSCENE. https://www.designscene.net/2023/03/aniye-records-fw-23-24.html

Flared Evelyn. (n.d.). Aniye Records. https://www.aniyerecords.com/en/a-flared-evelyn#00336|38

WILLOW DRESS. (n.d.). Aniye Records. https://www.aniyerecords.com/en/a-willow-dress#00800|38

BABYLACE SOCKS. (n.d.). Aniye Records. https://www.aniyerecords.com/en/babylace%20socks#00268|T%2FU

BUSTIER JUNIP. (n.d.). Aniye Records. https://www.aniyerecords.com/en/bustier-junip#02203|38

HANNA DRESS. (n.d.). Aniye Records. https://www.aniyerecords.com/en/hanna-dress#00336|38

Aniye Records: Harnessing Creative Madness