Head in the Clouds...
This article was originally posted on The Huffington Post and Lionheart Magazine
When I discovered the work of Spanish designer, Elisa Palomino last year, it was a moment of triumph for me. Finally I had found a designer that seemed to speak the language of my inner romantic and translate my passion for eras of the past. So there was no doubt that her Autumn/Winter 2012 catwalk show would be one of my London Fashion Week highlights.
Before the show began, I had the opportunity to go backstage and observe the organized chaos of the fashion show being sculptured, but I was unfortunate to arrive a little late and the models had already begun lining up, ready to take to the runway. It’s always an interesting scene, that of a production such as this one, coming together, like a colony of birds working systematically to build their nests; focused and determined.
This season’s offering began with an explosion of fuchsia, scarlet and lavender; strong, dynamic and undoubtedly feminine – the beginnings of an exotic collection inspired by Florine Stettheimer’s epicurean lifestyle and her anthology of poems, Crystal Flowers. Revered by the New York avant garde in the 1920s and ‘30s, Stettheimer, a much under-appreciated American poet and artist symbolized a woman ahead of her time; in her philosophy and spirituality and in creativity and fashion. She and her sisters made for a striking and often daliesque parade – donning bright roseate wigs, elaborate brocades, diamonds and oriental ensembles and motifs – characteristics that are ever present within Elisa’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.
Evening gowns in chiffon, silk and velvet, reminiscent of the exquisite 1920’s and 1930’s silhouettes, reigned. Colours shifted to pretty pastels, but only momentarily, before celebrating chic black ensembles with fluorescent flower motifs and luxurious velvet jackets and effortless kimonos. I must admit, I did a double-take when the complete leopard print outfit came into view. Honestly, I have never really been a fan of Leopard print, but oh my, I would so very much wear that Leopard print dress by Elisa Palomino.
The catwalk show flourished into a finale of a sheer chic black chiffon gown, scattered with a splendid butterfly motif, flowed by a floor length tasseled number, leaving no doubt in my mind, at least, that Elisa Palomino’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is for the modern, eccentric and fearless woman. A woman with a fervid adoration for the fashions of past, and a determination to discover and experience, the pleasures of the future. A true homage to the philosophy and culture of Florine and her sisters, their conspicuous avant garde fashions and affluence of creativity and a celebration of female self-expression.
With the conclusion of the show came a swarm of journalists and bloggers dashing purposefully backstage, to congratulate and interview the designer. I took this opportunity to take some more backstage pictures, particularly of the wonderfully coiffured wigs, the fantastic headpieces and the prominent make-up. I love that Elisa insists on producing a complete theatrical show – that means, no skimping on hair and make-up and accessories!
Backstage, after the show…
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