A pillar of light emerging from the shadows, the Botter Men’s Fall 2021 collection is a tale of romance and whimsicality, effortlessly playing with the fluidity of land and sea.

The Caribbean couture label by Dutch duo Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh is an outlet of escape and renewal, rooted in the gender-fluid, dynamic shapes of their collection. Presented against a dark, mystic backdrop, their “Romancing the Coral Reef” collection is an ode to the sea, billowing fabrics and delicate drapery with sea motifs paying tribute to island living.

Sleek yet ethereal, the collection encapsulates the calm of the sea at low tide and the formidable, overpowering regality the highest of waves commands. A palette of rich oceanic tones—deep blue, stark black, sandy brown and seashell white—is punctuated with lively bursts of pastel across the collection, from rosy pink to lime green, recalling coral reefs.

The nautical theme of the collection stayed true throughout, weaving statement pieces into stories of the sea. A cream-colored, billowing blouse echoes a pirate’s life, while a black suit adorned with intricate fish lures from head to toe is a bold look balancing the collection’s serenity, from a graphic blue and white turtleneck to an upcycled, multicolored windbreaker made from remnants of installations from French umbrella maker Piganiol.

Textures and shape evolve the collection to be truly of the sea: wide, ruffled collars anticipate sea foam and tidal waves, while close-cut, form-fitting lace and sheer mesh recall fishing nets and the delicacy that comes from moments of still on the water.

Watch the runway show here and view looks from the collection below.