Dreamy Francesco

January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

It’s not the first time when I admit that Italians do it better, in case cuisine, and their craftsmanship in fashion. Since Milan fashion week is getting better and better each season with exciting designers like Massimo Giorgetti, Alessandro Dell’AcQua, Stella Jean and Alesssandro Michele, the rivalry is strong – but Francesco Scognamiglio wins my heart with his spring-summer 2016 outing, which was all about dreamy, sheer dresses. The delicate lace details and ruffled sleeves of these flawless gowns are mesmerising. Magdalena Frackowiak, Aya Jones and Peyton Knight looked like angels wearing those sensual, white silhouettes… and if talking of Francesco, a big deal is coming up – during the upcoming haute couture week in Paris, the designer will present his first ever couture collection! So we can all expect an excessive dose of modern fairy-tale looks and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Monkeys at Prada

January 2, 2016January 2, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

2016 is the year, which according to Chinese lunar New Year belongs to monkeys. In Chinese zodiac, monkeys are characterised by their curiousity of the world and creative energy – so no wonder why designers make monkeys appear on the runways regularly. Back in 2011, the obsession about monkeys in fashion sparkled after Prada‘s colourful and bold spring-summer fashion show. Monkey motifs appeared on the architectural tops and pencil skirts, whilee the dresses with embroidered monkeys were hand-made in India. Moreover, Miuccia Prada went bananas that season, presenting the potassium-rich fruits on the frivolous mini-skirts and daddy-from-Hawaii shirts. Up to date, it’s one of my favourite collections coming from Miuccia, and now as it gained even bigger significance in 2016 – I adore it!

Odor 93

December 26, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

“In my dreamlike journey you can find the essence of the mystique cycle second chapter.  Getting lost in the collective unconsciousness, and only far away from that place, getting the meaning. As in a dream, Narcissus’ and Tuberose’s bodies in flower, tell the way through the birch forest step by step, where the animal lives and people celebrate the fairy tale ritual, spiritual and mental place of perfume. There are distant places in the world that are linked together by a thin, imaginary thread. I have tried to create a fragrance for this invisible bond, I have found a heart in flower in the forest, I have listened to the animal speaking, I have seen the end of the day, I have found out perfumed signs of the past, I have found the meaning in my native soil. I have reached Thelema. The magic of nature hides in the secret of words.  Number 93 represents this journey’s mystic key.  The smell is a soul that shapes our shadow.”

Meo Fusciuni‘s latest fragrance creation, Odor 93, is a fusion of narcissues, sweet tuberose, balsamic extracts, smoky tobacco and elusive incense. Available soon at Concept 21 Store. If you want to discover more about this charming, perfume poet, read my interview with him here!

Cherish the Day. No21 Pre-Fall’16

December 23, 2015August 5, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

It’s again all about Alessandro Dell’AcQua – however, this time we are talking about the designer’s home-label, N21. After the festive pre-fall collection which he delivered at Rochas just a few days ago, the Italian designer took an interesting twist at N21, refreshing his house codes and bringing new motifs – like the kitty-kat prints and embroideries on knitted, chunky sweaters and mini-bags. Also, the current European weather, which is definitely not about a white Christmas, makes this collection look and feel perfect for the moment – long coats with strips of velvet, silk dresses in military hues, series of light, masculine shirts with lace sleeves and the flawless, parachute maxi dresses in red and green are the total highlights of the season. Also, the shearling jacket with delicate embroidery had a moment. Just like the bow-top, which is an exaggerated symbol of N21, the collection is full of toned, yet cheerful clothes. And surely, Alessandro and his studio have a reason to celebrate – 2016 will start with an opening the first European flagship store in the heart of Milan, and later on, the brand will set a launch of the childwear line. The optimistic attitude is visible in both, the pre-fall 2016 look-book and the designer’s Instagram feed!

#2015 – Alessandro Dell AcQua

December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Alessandro Dell Acqua made his eponymous label, No21, a go-to brand thanks to his well-known signature which highlights his love to a feminine, sensual woman. His innately Italian sense of style mixed with his favourite tunes of George Michael makes his collections feel chic, but in an effortless way.

AW15 – Alessandro knows, how to mix contemporary with opulent – a tweed pencil skirt worn with a gold-patent jacket; a hoodie styled with hand-embroidered dress – those are just few examples of how this designers rolls in fashion. For autumn-winter 2015, the designer of No21 brought a lot of blush pink which beautifully contrasted with all of the shades of grey and beige that overlapped on the catwalk. The two snow-white looks were excellent, too – the coat and dress with floral embroideries are dreamy.

Resort 2016 – Dell AcQua fused many themes at a time – the marine chic which involved stripes; ethnic prints; oriental textiles (look at the canvas shoes!). All of that mused about the idea of a perfect “tropical escape” wardrobe. The midi skirt with a sexy cut-out looked truly gorgeous with that over-sized chunky sweater, while the warm colour of curcuma gave a laid-back mood. Throughout his fashion tenure, Dell AcQua is known for his talent of mixing feminine silhouttes with masculine forms – the sailor jacket is the must-have of the collection, combined with one of these crispe checked skirts.

SS16 Men – “I took a big risk, breaking the mold I have created myself,” The designer of No21 said backstage. “It was time, I think. Freedom was high on my agenda. I’d like to convey a clear message of fashion as an amusing expression of personality. We can do that in Milano, too.” Indeed, the new collection for men was totally different than all the others up to date. Totally new silhouettes – shorts which reminded skirts; over-sized knitwears (which, basically, landed on my wish-list); great varsity jackets and elegant peacoats. The textures here became more tactile and softer. And the ultra-long t-shirts and tank-tops gave us a chilled-out vibe (just like in the women’s collection for Resort 2016), just like the boots, which had their laces tied in a slouchy way.

SS16 – Care-free. Comfortable. These are the words that can easily describe Alessandro Dell Acqua‘s spring-summer 2016 collection. With George Michael’s moody tune playing during the fashion show, the models of the moment – Lineisy Montero, Molly Bair, Stella Lucia – wore long, silk dresses in delicate cigarette prints. The romantic colour palette was broken by gypsy-esque florals and modernist stripes. Also, the collection was plenty of the season’s favourite bias-cut slip dresses thrown over t-shirts – this gave the entire collection a very easy attitude, and the socks styled with sheer skirts were a throwback to #normcore. These clothes will definitely hit the stores with success, just like the statement tasseled, raffia sandals. These will be truly popular next season, as they are the instant favourites of street-style stars. Also, it’s worth to note that within the summer season, No21 starts expands its fashion line into eyewear. The first silhouettes are all about circular, simple forms and comfort of wearing.

I must admit, that season after season, Alessandro builds his fashion identity with amazing speed – this collection can be called as the best one to date. And no wonder why. It’s really good.