Darwin and Unknown

Limited edition of 50 pieces worldwide

The COMMON HOURS Darwin and Unknown reversible gown is crafted from Italian double silk satin in white with macaw artwork, milled and printed in Italy and extensively hand-embroidered by Chanakya artisans in India. Complete with a wide printed waist tie, narrow roulettes and hand-embroidered thread loops to close the garment and accentuate the shape, this piece is finished with extended underarm cut-outs and inseam side pockets.

Reversible A-side

A fanciful flight of feathers, this reversible COMMON HOURS robe was created in collaboration with Dutch artists Darwin. Sinke & Van Tongeren, flamboyant taxidermists who, as well as working along with museums, ethically acquire deceased animals, exploring the beauty, value and emotion of natural history. In a juxtaposition of the beautiful and the macabre, the A-side features a fresh palate cleanser of white, where a macaw takes up centre stage; its tail feather disappears up and behind the neck of the robe, to re-appear magnified on the B-side. Delicate hand-embroidery highlights the bird's face, while a quote by Charles Darwin is hidden in the hemline, almost if written in invisible ink.

Reversible B-side

The B-side sees feathers shine in iridescent colours, extravagantly blown-up to magnificent proportions. Embroidery in silver gunmetal tread with artworks, phrases and words inspired by Charles Darwin tell stories of the spirit of discovery and the origins of the species.