off with a bang
The Autumn Winter 2017 fashion show season started in New York with a flourish, and the spectacularly embellished looks on display were fierce enough to even best Mother Nature in taking center stage. From airy and artistic Creatures of the Wind, Rosie Assoulin’s romantic stylings and Tome’s clear-cut dressing this season, the Swarovski Collective’s New York participants did not disappoint.
Creatures of the Wind’s Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters started things off with a statement, showcasing a 1950’s couture spin on the fashions of 1970’s psychedelic rock culture. Showcasing the intersection between strength and elegance, the runway was full of Swarovski crystal motifs from inside-out fur coats to sheer dresses and gloves. Over 267,000 Swarovski crystals highlighted the mesmerizing collection including a standout tulle tops ravishing with the trompe l’oiel design.
The sheer volume of Rosie Assoulin’s silhouettes was show-stopping. Silk dresses flowed for an eternity and the play of scale with tops and wide-legged trousers made the style set rethink expectations. On top of this deluge of personality-driven styles, opulent jacquard and damask prints and embroidered sweaters enhanced with Swarovski crystals transported the audience to a more formal era. Assoulin explains, “Creating such elaborate patterns that needed to be hand-pieced together was a huge step for our team.” In all its forms, Swarovski crystals numbered over 720,000 in Rosie’s Autumn/Winter debut.
Tome’s playful statements of feminism reigned supreme throughout their collection, which boasted nearly 50 thousand Swarovski crystals. The central motif, deployed boldly across feminine-cut dresses, is a bright yellow banana created utilizing Swarovski crystals and references the controversial ‘banana skirt’ worn by French jazz-age entertainer Josephine Baker. Not new for the straightforward, practical label known for essential dressing, the Tome collection was overflowing with confidence, purpose and a wink at the humor and activism of the Guerilla Girls.
Pushing boundaries is something the Swarovski Collective has encouraged since its beginnings in 1999. Recipients receive crystal product support in addition to financial support from Swarovski and together these foster the exploration of creativity, crystal use and craftsmanship. This inspiration was the force behind many of this season’s looks, to the delight of fashion seekers everywhere.
