WORD.

LONDON FASHION WEEK A/W2010-11 – ROMINA KARAMANEA

 

Held downstairs at the Runway Club, Romina Karamanea pitched her - admittedly crowded - audience into a polished darkness both via location and collection. Inspired by shadow and duality, an on-the-surface hard, slick collection gave way to a subtle, nuanced grace. High-waisted skin-tight leggings and panelled body conscious dresses in black napa leather, suede and tweed were punctuated by glistening vinyl piping. Cropped black leather t-shirts, zip up jackets, and cape-style shirting, together with body harnesses to added to an air of unashamed near dominatrix strength,

This embrace of empowered femininity extended to a focus upon the body as a slew of tightly cut jackets stalked down the catwalk. Broad at the shoulder and cinched at the waist before jutting into a shallow peplum, the use of mixed black and greyscale tweed saw the classic Chanel boucle cut with modern-day-marauder precision. Nestled among the futuristic elements,  the contoured panelling, the broad shoulders and high necks, the collections duality - and uncharted territory for Romina - emerged. Femininity and fluidity, realised in billowing floor length gowns rendered in double silk georgette, and update on the twenties flapper executed in layers of plaited leather, saw Romina firmly establish her aesthetic whilst concurrently forging forward.

Photography by Palida Boonyarungsrit.