Paolo Carzana: The Designer Who Titled His Collection “Dragons Unwinged at the Butchers Block”
Not many designers can boast a collection title as bold and intriguing as “Dragons Unwinged at the Butchers Block,” but then again, not many designers are Paolo Carzana. The Welsh designer recently showcased his latest project, a deconstructed collection, at The Holy Tavern in Clerkenwell, a historic pub with ties to the Knights Hospitallers and ancient Clerkenwell priory. With an intimate audience of industry insiders, Carzana proved once again that he is unafraid to push boundaries and embrace intimacy.
Last season, Carzana made waves by staging his runway show in his own backyard in Clapton. This season, he continued to challenge traditional fashion norms with his 14-piece collection, featuring raw-edged fabric and rough-and-tumble Madam Grès-esque dresses. Each piece was meticulously hand-draped and hand-painted, showcasing Carzana’s attention to detail and his ability to bring vibrant depths to otherwise muted colors like yellows, greens, and grays.
Carzana’s design ethos is rooted in the beauty of handmade craft, and he has made a conscious effort to steer away from the traditional fashion model by refusing to produce in factories. In fact, his Instagram bio proudly states that he is “offline till February,” a nod to his dedication to authenticity and his rejection of the digitally constructed falsehoods of social media.
Paolo Carzana first debuted his eponymous label at London Fashion Week during the SS23 season, and he has since gained recognition as an artist in residence at the Sarabande Foundation, established by the late Lee Alexander McQueen. This collection, like many of his previous works, drew comparisons to McQueen’s handiwork, solidifying Carzana’s place as a rising star in the fashion world.
Take a look at Paolo Carzana’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection in the gallery above, and stay tuned to Hypebeast for more coverage of London Fashion Week.
