You don't need to be on island time to wear Loewe Paula's Ibiza
As part of its Paula's Ibiza Collections, Loewe pays homage to the iconic Balearic boutique, which was the height of cool in the '70s, All prints, stripes and tropical fruit, the brand's newest iteration might be its funnest yet
By Ewan Bell
LIFE IS THAT little bit sweeter in Ibiza. The aroma of orange peels floating through the air, the rustle of raffia being trussed together, and, of course, the nightlife. Visiting the island is a sensory experience – hence why it was such a hotspot in the 1970s, when sensory experiences were all that mattered – and it’s the essence of these experiences that Jonathan Anderson distills into his Loewe Paula’s Ibiza collections.
Inspired by the iconic Balearic boutique, Loewe’s latest Paula’s Ibiza collection harks back to the original store’s reputation as a countercultural destination, beloved by rock stars, models, artists and other bohemian types. All stripes, prints, and tropical fruit, the collection brings to mind warm spring days spent wandering aimlessly, with nowhere but a late dinner reservation to be. We’re in the Mediterranean, after all.
Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe Paula’s Ibiza collections are never without striped t-shirts and polos – in oversized cuts, sleeves almost to the elbows – while shorts hang long and loose, pleated for that classic tailored touch. Bags, however, are reinvented here, particularly the Puzzle Fold tote. First introduced in supple leathers, the Puzzle Fold is reimagined in raffia with earthy hues and ochres, a more beach-friendly iteration for slumming it along the coast.
For the May/June 2024 issue of Esquire, we played dress ups with the playful pieces, styling them in a way that could suit any clime – from city to sea, work to play. Because while we might not be able to spend all year in Ibiza, we can certainly dress like we do.
