CHRIS HABANA

Grey Sheep

Location

new york / united states

University

dropout

CHRISHABANA is known for taking gothic iconography and filtering it through a pop lens. The New York based designer’s jewelry collection is playful yet subversive, featuring signature cross, spike, and triangle charms. Since its debut in 2004, the self-titled line is notorious for never taking things too seriously. The designer spent his life both in the Philippines and the US. After a childhood rooted in fantasy and sci-fi, Chris reveled in 90’s gay counter-culture, and the two worlds became one. This duality is now ingrained in his identity and the result is a clean and daring line fit for girls, boys, and everyone in between. CHRISHABANA won the support of Gen Art (Fresh Faces 2004, New Garde 2007) early on in his career, and has more recently worked on successful collaborations with Hood By Air, Seven New York, Oak’s A.OK and Urban Outfitters CHRISHABANA has also presented his Spring/Summer 2011 collection at Mac & Milk sudios. Selling worldwide in both edgy and commercial shops including; Seven, Oak, Lane Crawford, Kabiri at Selfridges, Shopbop as well as being featured in publications such as V Magazine, Vogue Italia, i-d, Elle, Nylon, and The New York Times, CHRISHABANA has garnered a solid following. Celebrity clientelle include; Drew Barrymoore, Bjork, Kelis, and the Scissor Sisters.

Latest Collection

“Mon Amour, Mon Ennemi”

CHRISHABANA is caught in a state of emotion. After bringing a hard edge collection for 2010, the designer writes a lover’s swan song for spring/summer 2011. The collection is a study of the heart from start to finish. Chrishabana is willing to brave the thorns to find a rose, find a pearl amongst the stones and if need be, will seek protection from heartbreak in his cage armor.

Although a rose is fleeting, CHRISHABANA makes it eternal, snaking spiked vines and delicate flowers around crosses and peace signs for oversized charm necklaces. Thorns alone entagle cuffs and rings alike. He introduces glass pearls shoved in the mouths of skulls and buried into organic shapes that resemble pourous stones. Many of these pieces are strung together with chains and signature crosses. Stacked hinged rings and layered necklaces also take center stage in the collection utilizing favorite gothic charms from the current season alongside new romantic shapes. In contrast, the cage group is harder than ever. The pieces are updated with reinforced steel plates and rivets. The forms for the cage group not only feature crosses and cuffs but also gender signs and geometrics.

CHRISHABANA’s obsession with the eighties/nineties is still evident in the unisex collection. The pieces are apropos for angst ridden youth: pining for love and listening to the likes of depeche mode, erasure and yaz. All jewelry is cast brass with various plate finishes.

The things you want most are the hardest to obtain.

Previous collections

LOSING MY RELIGION

Latest Collection

“Mon Amour, Mon Ennemi”

Previous collections

LOSING MY RELIGION

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