Creative director Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada unveiled a spectacle at New York Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2024 show. Models with stretched, eerie smiles took to the runway, symbolizing resilience in the face of contemporary challenges. The eccentric smiles weren't merely for show; they embodied the season's poignant message: even as we brave a tumultuous world, there's "power in the pretty" and undeniable "grit in the girly."
Sartorial Highlights
The collection featured an eye-catching artichoke corset, flaunting sharp shoulders and paired seamlessly with satin floral shorts. This botanical flair was beautifully extended to the Dante Trousers, giving continuity to the theme. The distinctively named "Apple Blossom Jeans" celebrated the form, merging both nature and fashion.
Beyond Gender Norms
Taymour’s designs transcend traditional gender boundaries. Pieces like blush satin blazers, organza tops, and banana-plaid boxer shorts captured the essence of androgyny, underlining that style is universal. The creatively transformed "I Care a Lot, I Wear Collina Strada" books into handheld accessories were both a nod to literature and a fashion statement, while the spiked buckled shoes screamed rebellion.
Textural Finale
The show concluded with a luxurious mix of sheer, velvet, and lace—materials that personified the brand's affinity for femininity, but with an edge. It’s this mixing and matching of softness and strength that makes Collina Strada's shows unforgettable.
In Taymour's closing sentiments, she paid homage to femininity's pervasive influence: "Femme is fab. We call her Mother Earth for a reason." collinastrada.com
Collina Strada Spring Summer 2024 Full Collection
