Emily Bode has made a huge splash in the fashion industry with her eponymous label, Bode. She has won prestigious awards such as the CFDA Menswear Design Award and the Woolmark Prize: Karl Lagerfeld Award back-to-back, amongst many others. Her designs are unique and special; instead of relying on trendy fashion, she focuses on vintage craftsmanship and personal narratives, reinterpreting textiles to create individualized pieces that excite and connect to the wearers on an emotional level. Furthermore, she is a woman who innovates with mending, appliqué, and quilt creation – combining historically female-centric traditional craft with modern fashion sense perfectly – which makes her even more remarkable. By being the first female designer to show at an NYFW Men’s show, Emily Adams Bode demonstrates that sincerity is indeed the key to success; when you put your true self out there without inhibitions or fear of judgment is when creativity can truly blossom.
Emily’s brand is a true extension of her own world and life story that she has painstakingly sculpted since she was a very young child. Encouraged by her mother, aunts, and grandmother to explore the world of antiquing and engage in creative activities with her hands, Emily developed an appreciation for stories residing within objects, coupled with a reverence for history. She continually draws upon these experiences to inspire her collections, where each garment speaks its own unique narrative informed by real-life relationships, places, and memories. Moreover, Emily collaborates with local manufacturers delivering yet another layer of vibrant storytelling on top of the beautiful designs created by combining embroidery, printing, and beading techniques.
Bode stands out in the menswear market by drawing inspiration from domestic spaces and family sentimentalities. Emily Bode, the designer behind Bode, uses clothing and shoes to evoke a time period where the home has been closely intertwined with womanhood; her collections feature masculine silhouettes with softer colors and floral motifs, creating an emotionally charged imagery that gives culture a refreshingly new direction. The brand celebrates and preserves history carefully through its pieces so wearers can obtain not just luxury fashionable wear but also layers of cultural context put into each one of them. By incorporating traditionally feminine conventions within menswear designs, Emily creates timeless pieces that will stay relevant for years to come.
Bode is showing at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris this year on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Be sure to check back for our Fashion Week coverage.
