Leon Emanuel Blanck AW25 Collection Zenon
In the very early stages of the collection, Leon Emanuel Blanck was contemplating life, discussing certain realities of being a designer and having a fashion label. Soon the question was there: what is it like to be in competition with all those brands and big fashion houses that have been around much longer than Leon Emanuel Blanck?
At this point, the Greek philosopher Zenon and his famous Achilles paradox came to Leons mind, in which he argues that it is impossible for Achilles to catch up with even a tortoise if the latter had a head start. The reason is that the distance between them can be infinitely subdivided, implying Achilles would require an infinite number of steps to catch the tortoise. So by the time Achilles gets to the exact point of the tortoise, the tortoise is already a few steps ahead, only shortening the distance every time he tries to catch up.
Then Leon had the idea that Achilles would need some sort of vehicle that would be able to bend space time enough in order to catch up and overtake, which without a doubt could only be a motorcycle if you want to disprove a famous Greek philosopher. The idea to make a clothing collection around a motorcycle theme was born, and ultimately the idea to actually build a motorbike, the ZENON ONE.
While making the collection and building the ZENON ONE, Leon Emanuel Blanck researched classic motorcycle racing clothes and logically came to find that ALPINESTARS are making the best gear. Having also worn ALPINESTARS protection gear during his mountain biking days, he was already familiar with their quality and design.
Soon after, everything aligned, and LEB teamed up with ALPINESTARS RSRV to work on several styles that they could make for our AW25 collection “ZENON.”
Repurposing deadstock ALPINESTARS items was a novum for Leon on several levels. After having spent an excessive amount of time dissecting their gear, he came to the conclusion that items are extremely well-crafted with highly complex pattern making. Leon was impressed with their anatomical fit, which perfectly aligns with his own idea of human form and protection.
From his first collection in 2013 until now, LEBs clothes were always based on the interplay of anatomy, motion, and shape. They’ve always served as protection, but more on a metaphorical level. With this collaboration, Leon gave himself the chance to play with literal protection, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
For the Leon Emanuel Blanck AW25 ZENON collection, he deconstructed original ALPINESTARS racing gear until the point where he could place his own patterns for jackets, pants, and boots to create one-of-a-kind limited pieces. Each piece is completely individual due to using several different ALPINESTARS pieces to make one jacket or pair of pants. The collaboration is a fusion of the history and perfection of ALPINESTARS with the LEB one-of-a-kind pattern making and crafting method called ANFRACTUOUS DISTORTION.
Our Take
Leon Emanuel Blanck – while questioning himself what is it like to be in competition with all those brands and big fashion houses that have been around much longer – we think is one of the most creative, original and outstanding highend avant-garde fashion designers that surprises over and over again with each new collection, which sets him apart a lot from all the commercial big fashion brands!
Looking at the foregone SS25 Collection Hybrido and its wearable sculpture “The Architect” that was already mind-blowing, it is even more of a surprise to see a custom motorcycle built and unique-as-hell motorcylce clothing designed for the next collection the same year.
Leon Emanuel Blanck, your creative vision continues to inspire. We can’t wait to see what you unveil next.
Photography: David Jäger, Team LEON EMANUEL BLANCK
Styling: Callum Edmonds, Giuliana Mamone
