Antonio Ortega SS16 Paris Haute Couture Show Rundown
Ah Paris Haute Couture week, we’re always set to be impressed and this year has been no different. One show that particularly caught our fashion eye was Antonio Ortega’s SS16 offering. Hard to miss, the show involved stand out hairstyles (we can’t help but love a crimp, it totally takes us back to the 90s) and bold makeup with powerful electric blue eyes.
The show, ‘Encounters’ revolves around our unusual encounters with others and tells the story of audacity, humanity and creativity. This seasons couture collection expresses the real luxury of today’s world and that is the chance to express one’s self and embrace the richness of encounters, encounters when travelling, and diverse unexpected encounters.
The collection was inspired by Ortega’s personal encounters with three exceptional women artisans, all of whom excel within their own skillset. Senora Ines and Senora Cameria Teresa, both masters in the art of crochet and Veronique Loupe who specialises in making lace. The powerful image of these women took a hold of Ortega and brought the designer back to images and emotions of his childhood, including those of his grandmother happily knitting for hours on end, draped in her shawl.
The collection ties strongly with these emotions, and captures those memories from early childhood. Images are borrowed from landscapes, Ortega cuts slices of the sky to construct his clothing landscapes into works of art. Blending chiffon, silk crepe and feathers with tweed, riveted leather and rhinestones, the mix of materials forms a collection for the seductive, sensuous woman.
The collection focusses heavily on fluidity, casually flowing over the body with asymmetric details and overlapping, topped off with embellishment and strong pops of colour. The colour palette reflects the landscape theme, with earthy tones, blues, and the occasional splash of orange. There are brief glimpses of the body through the use of crochet and sheer panelling adding an element of sexiness to the collection.
The detailing is magnificent, from intricate collar embroidery to shoulder detailing with crochet and 3D features. The collection comprises predominantly of quirky two pieces, dresses and dresses over trousers (another ode to the 90s?). And we have to mention the super cute, kitsch cloud bag. A smiling cloud makes us smile. It definitely adds an element of fun and that childhood inspiration to the collection.
The bow tie neck detailing is a favourite of ours, and the cloud print detail is simply dreamy and offers a contrast to the harsher New York skyline, as seen on the statement sequin skirt. Ortega certainly made a statement, we’re dreaming of warmer climates and a wardrobe that doesn’t purely consist of knitwear and coats!
Did Antonio Ortega’s SS16 collection inspire you? What’s your favourite piece?
