In the world of Kris Van Assche, sportswear-meets-tailoring. Last season it literally did, with hybrid, smash ‘n’ clash college sweatshirt suiting. For SS14 however his refined silhouettes cut the air with inverted polka dot motifs, forest green tailoring and crocodile prints bled organically across crisp shirting. It’s called Cognac Sport.

There’s an energy present that both compliments and transcends the everyday lifestyles his boys live. With the collection now in store, we thought it’d be good to get the designer to fill us in on it all. Take it away, KVA…

Shirt, sleeveless jacket, trousers and trainers all Kris Van Assche SS14. 

Tempe Nakiska: Obviously you have now had a lot of space from the SS14 collection. In what ways does the collection speak to you differently as a result?
Kris Van Assche: With time, a natural selection takes place in the head; you kind of mostly remember the ‘highlights’. Especially since I do not really get a lot of time to relax and sit back… I am always immediately working on ‘next season’, and although I do evaluate what I think worked best and what didn’t after each show, it is not a process that goes on forever. So from this summer season, I mostly remember its freshness, the ‘active’ silhouette, the energy. It is all about the green suit, the green croco-printed poplin shirt, the huge polka dots on the suit but also as a knit. And of course the K-way inspired pieces that added a lot to the ‘active wear’ feeling.

TN: SS14 is named ‘Cognac Sport’ which seems a title quite relatable to everyday life for the men you dress. What meaning lies beneath it, especially with summer approaching?
KVA: ‘Cognac Sport’ summed it up nicely for me: ‘Cognac’, because of the ‘elegant males’ it brings to mind. The type to be wearing (real) crocodile shoes, and polka dot ties. ‘Sport’ because of the colour green that brings to mind certain ‘all-time sneaker-classics’, the K-way inspirations with the yellow zippers, and the overall energy I am always looking for in a show. Of course, these two references are hardcore clichés and work opposed to each other on an inspiration wall. I guess they sum up nicely the contrasts I like to play around with in my head. It is always partly about tradition and partly about sportswear. My collection is about mixing both worlds, about ‘hybrid’ clothes and basically, a contemporary wardrobe.

TN: What would you pull out as being the key prints or pieces to own?
KVA: As I mentioned before, SS14 is about the green suit, the croco-print and the polka dots, there is no doubt about it. Ah, and the white croco-sneakers, the ultimate hybrid piece.

TN: What does cognac go down best with?
KVA: I wouldn’t know, I haven’t tried it.

All clothing Kris Van Assche SS14
Model Jake Love at Select
Hair Hiroshu Matsushita, make-up Hadeel El-Tal using MAC Cosmetics, photographer’s assistant Jack Grange.
Special thanks to Spring Studios.

Hadeel El-Tal using MAC Cosmetics’ and ‘Special thanks to Spring Studios