Erdem's SS25 Collection Takes Inspiration From This 1920s Novel
Erdem has debuted its latest collection at London Fashion Week. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection takes inspiration from Radclyffe Hall’s 1928 novel The Well of Loneliness by blurring the lines between menswear and womenswear. The Well of Loneliness follows Stephen Gordon, a woman living as a man, who is in a relationship with Mary Llewellyn. The novel was ahead of its time, telling the story of two women in love at a time where it was unacceptable and felt impossible. The author, Radclyffe Hall, was an openly gay woman in a relationship with Una Troubridge. Hall often wore men’s clothing and went by the name John. Erdem’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection pays respect to Stephen and Mary’s relationship, as well as Radclyffe and Una’s.
“The needle swings back and forth with details and shapes, echoes and references that question the strict dictat of gender identity,” says Erdem. “How we choose to identify and who we choose to love are questions we have been asking ourselves since the dawn of humanity. We stand on the shoulders of figures such as Hall to be able to respond today that beauty and power lie not in conforming to social constructs, but in celebrating individual self-expression.”
Erdem’s collection combines masculine and feminine dressing. It features slip dresses, double breasted jackets, lace bralettes, pleated front trousers, shift dresses, oversized car coats, crystal embellishments, and draped bows. Standout looks include a double breasted tuxedo jacket spliced with a flounced skirt and embellished with crystal embroidery, a sleeveless drop waisted cocktail dress, and a silver hand crocheted flapper dress.
Check out some of our favorite looks from Erdem’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection:
Article by Taylor Houston, Associate Fashion & Beauty Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
*All images courtesy of Erdem
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