The slow decent into insanity was the idea Antonio Marras decided to take on with his latest collection. For any other designer, trying to express this sartorially would have been a tall order. But Marras feels deeply, has an expansive soul and can find beauty and poetry in just about anything.
He conveyed his muse’s madness through his trademark collage style that saw prints, textures and proportions crashing up against each other in waves of cacophonistic splendor. Against the eerie warbling notes of a theremin being played by a very disturbed looking performer, he sent his models traipsing up and down, back and forth over a runway dotted in vintage bathtubs filled with potted plants, as if they were in a manic fugue state.
Once the models appeared in front of the cameras, their faces veiled in lace, the intense craftsmanship that went into each impressive design could finally be appreciated. Fur coats would be outfitted with whorls of fabric roses. Pleated skirts were cut from chevron motif fabric, which itself was accentuated with contrasting oversized spots zigzagging in opposite directions while glossy brocades would bond with animal prints or sequined embroideries.
The result was unquestionably romantic in nature but with a moody underlying sentiment of unrequited love.
However it will be Marras that will be feeling the love next season when this lush and luxurious collection finally arrives in stores.