Looks from Carlson’s new Spring/Summer 2018 collection. Image supplied.
Tanya Carlson recently launched her gorgeous new Carlson collection for Spring/Summer 2018 and it’s full of covetable pieces. The talented designer showed an edited version of this range on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week 2018 last month to a warm reception. As with all Carlson collections this one utilises intelligent elements and silhouettes from the brand’s own archive and cleverly mixes them with this collection’s inspiration which is 1930’s era Faye Dunaway and the winsome looks from that era.
“I was looking at that famous picture of Faye Dunaway (by Terry O’Neill) sitting beside the pool the morning after the Oscars,” says Tanya Carlson. “I was thinking about her Bonnie and Clyde wardrobe and rebellious spirit, as well as that American Dust Bowl time. I had an image of that time in my mind but then I started looked at original photos of that era and how women dressed and all the sportswear and that was really the jumping off point for this collection.”
That fascinating inspiration beautifully informs Carlson’s range with the signature wide-legged trousers, impeccably tailored suiting and subtly Art Deco-inspired dresses that reference the thirties but feel modern and fresh. Tanya Carlson is well known for her sublime cutting and tailoring with each piece perfected until it sits just so and that is absolutely evident in this divine range.
The designer honed the skill of bias-cutting in the 90s which is no easy feat and ever since has occasionally produced alluring dresses that hug the body but skim the curves in just the right way. The navy slip dress in this collection is a great example of a piece that looks deceptively simple but is hard to get just right and Tanya of course nails it, marrying the 90s, 30s and today in her inimitable style.
It’s impossible not to be drawn in by the charming colour palette of this range with lovely hues of ochre, maple, navy, peach, coral, ivory and crisp blue. They gracefully reference the 30s and are an ideal choice for Carlson’s elegant silhouettes which also see some of the designer’s signature tailored dresses re-worked in new hues.
The suitably stunning images that accompany the collection were shot by David Shields and feature the gorgeous Christina Van Nuis from 62 Models & Talent. She has the perfect attitude and sense of toughness that embodies the spirit that Tanya wanted for the range. With hair by Anna Bell and makeup by Abby Jane Black this shoot is a glorious representation of the past and present with a modern twist.
Carlson’s winsome Spring/Summer 2018 collection is available at the Carlson boutique on Ponsonby Road and online now.
Images supplied.