The art of designing a trousers is not limited to just silhouettes but is in the incorporation of utility within the make, the utility of fit, durability, and repetition. In Absent Findings it starts at a different point; it begins through material memory, logic of construction and the question of how a garment can be familiar and quietly re-thought. This strategy is evident in the Straight Denim Trousers. They do not strive to capture attention, but to reward the eye to look closely, meant to indicate intention in fabric, form and finish.
The trousers are designed using premium deadstock Sri Lankan denim, which at once signifies the brand at its core values in terms of material. The denim is heavy without stiffness and tender without fragility a combination which leaves the fabric to move freely as well as preserves its structure as the years pass. Use of deadstock is not just implication but an act of firm decision where it reflects that what already exists in order to have material history determine future form.
Trousers in True form
The feature that makes these trousers one of the most interesting features is the way they are made without any side seams. This choice is both theoretical and technical. The silhouette is uninterrupted by the removal of traditional seams, making it more cleaner, more architectural, and slightly sculptural. The trousers have a continuous gesture of an embrace around the body, which enables the denim to stretch uniformly and act in a fluid manner with movement.
It is a manifestation of the innovative pattern-making of Absent Findings, in which structure is applied in order not only to assemble, but also to make articulate. This structural thought is subdued by the judicious employment of details. Another minor detail is a slit in the leg opening which adds a twist to the story – minor, yet intentional. It interferes with the predictability of a straight-cut trouser and gives it a modern twist without being overbearing. The cut out is not more ornamental but rather a period and a recognition that modernity exists in restraint.
Front piping specifications by using heirloom silk saris add emotional and cultural touch to the garment. These aspects are a silent exultation of the continuing conversation of Absent Findings with the sari, not in the form of costume or point of reference, but in the form of material philosophy. The reuse of old saris makes individual history structural, and the bits of lived history can exist in daily garments. The silk piping is a soft contrast to the denim, adding some texture, shine, and memory without overwhelming the silent atmosphere of the garment. Function is also handled in the same manner.
The trousers are complete with 2 angled welt pocket at the front which is easy to access and balanced with the appearance and 2 standard welt pockets at the back which retains the familiarity and utility. The individual pockets are all seamlessly incorporated, enhancing the whole impression of thoughtful manufacture as opposed to inclusion of practical use.
The Straight Denim Trousers are inspired by the larger influences of the brand, namely, modernist architecture, Indian dress, the concept of clothing functioning as a type of space design. The Straight Denim Trousers represent a silent testament to the kind of way in which innovation, tradition, and daily wear can co-exist – considerate, considerate and relevant in a timeless manner.
