Sep 26

Sep 26 Hvala Ilija

The ‘Siniti & Roamanies’ in Bulgaria (who pose as gay men to lure an older generation of gay men to earn money for themselves and their family) served as inspiration for Miličić.
With Miličić ‘s family having fled from war-torn, post-Communist Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 90s, the designer carefully experiments with the clichés of his heritage. The aesthetic of the brand highlights the gentler side of the masculinity he was exposed to growing up, creating garments with sportswear references, volume, silhouettes with tight waists and shiny materials.

Having been inspired by his background and the male sex industry, the photos for the collection imitate webcam girls and boys who utilise specific spaces to attract viewers. The intimacy between the photographer and subject in each photo creates a private atmosphere, as if the audience is allowed the privilege to access the model’s life behind closed doors. This, in turn, allows the viewer to develop a higher understanding of multidimensional masculinity, which served as the origin of Ilija’s vision for the collection.