Eccentric and feminine womenswear label A.W.A.K.E. MODE—‘All Wonderful Adventures Kindle Ethusiasm’—was founded in 2012 by Russian-born and Belgian-raised multi-hyphenate designer Natalia Alaverdian. Drawing upon an eclectic variety of references, both global and personal, including costume history, film, nature, and Japanese art, the London-based brand’s idiosyncratic creations amply reinforce the venturesome ethos evoked by its acronymic name. Whimsical separates blow the contours of classic tailoring delightfully out of proportion, with origami-inspired pleats and folds adding sculptural intrigue to outerwear, and unexpected details such as oversized buttons and exaggerated slits lending an artfully deconstructed impression to trousers and tops. Lighthearted and girlish with a hint of playful irony, Alaverdian’s collections unveil a conceptual, narrative-driven approach to ready-to-wear.