Galvan’s Artistic Pre-Fall Collection Marks A Bold New Brand Chapter

Galvan, the London-based brand that the likes of Sienna Miller go to for slip dresses, has been gradually pivoting from its signature slinky dress proposition to easy yet elegant separates inspired by the arts. Its effortless tailoring follows the same blueprint as the bridal line that made the label famous, but tells a story of the individuals, from legendary choreographer Pina Bausch to immersive storyteller Katharina Grosse, who shape Galvan’s unique point of view. For pre-fall 2024, creative director Anna-Christin Haas looked to Cologne-based artist Erika Hock to inform an edit of hard-working pieces that will make any wardrobe pop.

While scores of brands profess to majoring in day-to-night looks, Galvan is an authority on versatile fashion that always feels fresh – just look at the myriad styling possibilities its signature ‘Pandora’ dress presents. Haas takes inspiration from Hock’s work to give the collection a Pantone boost and a new perspective on texture. Consider the new ‘Mobilia’ mini dress, which echoes the fluidity of Galvan’s liquid-silk numbers, but uses dramatic ombré fringing to frame the body. The micro-tasselled ‘Depois’ bralette and matching pencil skirt, meanwhile, feature all the strictness of well-cut suiting with the playfulness of partywear. Hock’s work in tapestry and sculpture plays into the ethos of Galvan that is you can be both soft and strong, simple and dimensional, timeless and inventive.

It was Hock’s musings on the relationship between the body and space that first resonated with the Galvan creative director. Galvan was founded by women, for women, to create timeless, modern pieces that empower – surprisingly rarer than you might think. What set Galvan apart from the pack was the team’s understanding of fabric. Moreover, how it works on the body. Its deceptively simple, bias-cut silk slips are a true feat in technical engineering, yet have that breezy insouciance that cannot be distilled down to a formula. The beauty of these designs is that they are both a minimalist and maximalist’s dream – they look just as exquisite with nothing but a tan and bare feet on the beach as they do decorated with jewelry and heels on a dance floor.

The pre-fall 2024 collection will be catnip for Galvan followers who already rely on the ‘Sienna’ dress to take them through wedding season in style, but are tempted by pieces with a little more dynamism than their usual metallics. The new apple, brandy and ballet-pink colorways pay homage to Hock’s striking installations, while the rich chocolate and magenta shades will be transitional fail-safes during the changing seasons. Galvan’s pieces have always been a canvas for self-expression, but these mood-boosting looks are instant conversation starters that will make an impact in any room.

It all boils down to Galvan’s sexy, strong DNA. Haas calls herself a revisionist, because she’s constantly looking back and honing her successes in order to step forward. This is the reason NET-A-PORTER calls its exquisite bestsellers “year-round heroes”. Haas’s ability to evolve and inspire customers is, one could argue, the mark of a true artist – one who makes the world a little brighter.