Blckhrt

BLCKHRT was founded by Indonesian designer Maria Agnes. A former movie star & model in her hometown Jakarta, Maria Agnes studied the art & business of fashion at the Royal Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia and École Supérieure Des Arts et Techniques De La Mode (ESMOD).

Maria Agnes established BLCKHRT in 2011 with a debut that was 80% black - a clear manifesto for the brand. Bold and sensuous, the monochrome collection showcased her sure instinct for shape, silhouette and texture. Since then, the palette has shifted between monochrome & colour, but black remains a founding principle, according to the designer. “Black is endlessly versatile, but it’s also complete, unalloyed. It’s subtle, striking, mysterious, modest. I love working with it creatively.”

Maria Agnes’ design baseline for BLCKHRT is contrast & polarity. Between feminine and masculine, dark and light, mature and playful, raw and refined. “The challenge is in finding the place where they interface and holding them in balance,” she says. BLCKHRT pieces are characterised by flowing lines, subtle draping, bold, offbeat prints and sensuous figure hugging elements.

Maria Agnes spends six months of the year on the island of Bali, her production base and six months travelling the globe. BLCKHRT designs draw their inspiration from a wealth of experiences, encounters and places – from vibrant coral reefs in Borneo to art exhibits in Brooklyn. “Journeys are a big part of my life – I’m that little bit more awake and aware when I travel.”

Each BLCKHRT collection riffs off a theme that changes from season to season. But at its heart, the label is about embracing darkness as well as light. BLCKHRT makes clothes your alter ego will love too.