Finale at Company of Stranger’s New Zealand Fashion Week 2017 show.
Company of Strangers were second up on the runway of day two of NZ Fashion Week’s 2017 shows with ‘Revenge’, their striking A/W18 collection that is as nostalgic as it is avant-garde.
As expressed by Company of Strangers’ designers Sara Munro, Amelia Hope and Diane Rohtmets, the collection features the allegorical presence of a woman once in love, now filled with disdain. This theme is echoed throughout the decadent yet striking collection with its strong contrasts in both colour and form. Reflecting a sense of augmented reality, ‘Revenge’ features the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine silhouettes, contrasting textures and a fun play on the conventional use of colour.
The pieces in the ‘Revenge’ collection fuse together both masculine and feminine shapes to create fresh and striking looks. Draped blazers, loose off the shoulder shirts and cummerbund-like waist cinches over peeks of delicate lingerie created a striking, yet soft feeling in the collection. Another play with form in this collection was the use of asymmetry. Floaty and asymmetrical hems, necklines, sleeves and waterfall collars added a sense of movement to the pieces and infused the collection with a touch of delicateness.
Also notable was the play with textures in the collection, which continued to amplify the synergy between the use of masculine and feminine styles. Pinstripes, wool, dark leather and rich velvet over decadently lacy lingerie, mixed with shiny and sheer chiffons and silk, kept with the theme of bold yet beautiful contrasts.
In keeping with the contrast with textures throughout the collection, Company of Stranger’s deconstruction of knitwear saw chunky cables add a unique twist to turtleneck sweaters and scarves. Split button closures along the back of sweaters also gave an edgy shape to the garments. Dresses and shirts featured multiple drawcord casings to allow the wearer to contort the garments and create interesting shapes while adding a unique movement to the garments as they trailed behind the wearer.
The colour palette was rooted in rich, dark jewel tones from plum to deep forest greens that created a sense of decadence while keeping with the overall moody theme of the collection. Pops of pastels, light greens and sorbets were also sprinkled throughout, feminising and contrasting with the dark tones. Slinky bias cut slips and flowing dresses also featured this season’s specially created ‘Drip’ print by artist Ella Harrington-Knapton, which was inspired by memories of repression and erasure.
Not to be overlooked are the accessories in this collection. Nude and black boots with a bright green heel added a pop of colour to the looks, as did a range of lust-worthy black and hot pink small leather clutches.
The collection was also dotted with a selection of glimmering trinkets, from gold and pearl brooches through to long chain-link bracelets. Paired with simple yet striking garments, the jewellery pieces added a touch of opulence to the collection. An undoubtedly stand out piece featured on the final garment was multi-pearl statement brooch which evoked a sense of vintage yet edgy glamour as it was draped across the front of a slinky and seductive slip dress.
Edgy, chic and with the perfect blend of both masculine and feminine elements, ‘Revenge’ is a collection that is as refreshing as it is innovative with its reinvention and reworking of classic combinations and elements. Safe to say, this collection set the New Zealand Fashion week bar high!
Beauty notes: Ruby red lips with minimalist eye makeup by Kiekie Stanners for MAC Cosmetics.
Soundtrack: Rocking indie bands including Impossible Tracks by The Kills.
Images by James Yang Photography.