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| Headpiece by Angel Amor |
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Nothing had prepared me for the splendour of Spanish born Elisa Palomino's show in the grand show room in Freemasons' Hall, Queen Street, Covent Garden where many emerging labels premier their new season's collections in London.
It felt like we had all been transported to the Hidden City in Beijing or a grand Italian Villa in Tuscany or Rome. This collection had something of the fairy tale about it. I absolutely loved it. It was as if Palomino had discovered an aristocratic dressing up box tucked away in some forgotten room ( she took her inspiration from the Madrid Garment Museum ) - her exquisite surface decoration and embellishment recreates the glory of the past wardrobe extravagancies of the aristocracies of Europe. This love of Oriental decoration
became fashionable across the old empires of Europe, influencing artists, architects and interior design. Our own King George IV was a huge fan and built the Royal Pavillion in 1830 in Brighton in homage to his own fascination with Far Eastern/ Asian culture and aesthetic.
Palomino's work is not couture, cleverly commercial with a small c, her clothes are infinitely wearable and would work well for various occasions, cocktail parties, smart evening events, Weddings, Balls. The buoyant Chinese and South American markets will love the cultured glamour her collection provides as will the other more tightened Western economies. Investment fashion buying is something that is still doing well.
Palomino's work is not couture, cleverly commercial with a small c, her clothes are infinitely wearable and would work well for various occasions, cocktail parties, smart evening events, Weddings, Balls. The buoyant Chinese and South American markets will love the cultured glamour her collection provides as will the other more tightened Western economies. Investment fashion buying is something that is still doing well.
If any designer was not more worthy of the Sponsorship of Vauxhall Talent Scout it is Palomino. It comes as no surprise to me that she is an ex MA St Martins fashion student. Nor does it come as any surprise having seen this show that she was head of studio at John Galliano for 8 years. More recently she was vice president of Diane Von Furstenberg.
Last year she show cased her first 'own collection' at New York Fashion Week where the entire lot was bought by Dolce and Gabbana for the Spiga 2 concept store in Milan,
( see my post about Via della Spiga)
It was a privilege to be at this show - Palomino is a name to remember. What is more exciting is the fact that she has chosen London in which to have her creative studio.
Words and photography Schelay McCarter - please credit.
For the Brazilian (Portuguese) version please look at the website of the fashion and culture B magazine
For the Brazilian (Portuguese) version please look at the website of the fashion and culture B magazine
