Collina Strada’s Beautiful Chaos
Review of Colinna Strada Spring 2024 Fashion Show
By Mario Abad
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
THE THEME
Hillary Taymour and her team worked for weeks with the AI machine, feeding it all of Collina Strada’s past collection and refining it until it achieved the desired output for this collection, which they then designed to grand effect, reaching new techniques in draping and collaging while playing with the soft/hard and formal/unformal theme.
THE BUZZWORDS
Haphazard. Eclectic. Ornate.
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Look # 23
The mishmash of textures and asymmetrical fabrics while keeping with the dreamy, watercolor effect makes this the standout look of the show and benefits from the styling: a lace skirt with ruffles worn over printed pants.
THE DIRECTION
The show commenced with a ribbon dance overlooking the New York City sunset and skyline amongst grassy fields and sunflowers. Models emerged on the runway with exaggerated, almost frightening smiles before returning with stern frowns. The runway’s center was adorned with floral-inspired sculptures and the soundtrack featured striking voiceovers that declared “Collina Strada,” “the earth is on fire,” and sentiments such as “we care.”
THE WRAP UP
While Collina Strada has always exuded a sense of elevated disarray, the brand’s haphazard nature appeared to go into overdrive this season with an almost chaotic display of different historical periods, references, and textile mashups. Plaids, lace, florals, tulle, ripped denim, ruffles, patchworks, evening boxers, silver ball chains, and wedding-inspired jersey tops made for a clashing of tropes that have long defined the Collina Strada woman.
