SHOPPING GUIDE - SEp 3, 2021

Shop Now the 8 Best Pieces from the Latest Albus Lumen Collection

By Gemma Prior

PHOTO: ALBUSLUMEN.COM

Regardless of what the fashion trends this summer might be, if minimalist fashion is for you, you’re bound to find something you love in Albus Lumen’s SS21 collection with it’s timeless interchangeable pieces, and sublime minimalist style.

MEET THE MAKER

After moving to Australia from Russia at the age of 17, Sydney-based designer Marina Afonina began her career in fashion as a stylist with Harper’s Bazaar.

Then, following a short break to have her son, Ollie, Afonina returned to work as a stylist dressing names such as Elle Macpherson and Lara Worthington.

This experience and finesse are beautifully evident in the seamless collections for her label, Albus Lumen, which first appeared on the fashion scene in 2015.

HOW THE BRAND CAME TO BE

The idea for Albus Lumen came to Afonina when she was packing for a trip to Greece and was unable to find the fashion for her holiday that she wanted: relaxed timeless resort wear pieces that would remain relevant for future holidays.

Effortless, simple and wearable was what Afonina was looking for. And now Albus Lumen offers all of us exactly that.

The Albus Lumen story, which appears on the label's website, eloquently summarises Afonina’s design ethos.

‘Albus Lumen is confidence in simplicity. Latin for white light, it is not weighted down by trends, but grounded in the core elements, drawing strength from detailed minimalism. With a nod to the European summer, craftsmanship and relaxed style inform the Albus Lumen aesthetic. Simple shapes and classic modernity create subtle yet striking contrasts’.

Each piece is somehow a sublime combination of grace and nonchalance, polish and leisure, quiet confidence and femininity.

The label's style induces a sense of calm and tranquillity. A serene holiday setting: gentle European summer, the salty scent of the ocean on a light breeze, a chilled Chardonnay, book in hand, in the shade at a seaside resort.

Everything we’ve dreamed of throughout the COVID pandemic.

Afonina’s admiration of ex-Celine designer Phoebe Philo is visible throughout her collections, which favour timelessness over trends. She offers muted earthy tones through each season favouring gentle creams and whites, soft peaches, warm syrup and cinnamon, Sacramento greens and sky blues.

The shapes of her designs are equally timeless and nonchalant with relaxed yet composed style taking precedence.

Authenticity is a quality Marina Afonina clearly seeks to portray in her designs and it appears perfectly evident throughout each of her collections. I can’t wait to see what’s next on the horizon for this sublime label.