LEONARD @ SS2013 Hong Kong Fashion Show

LEONARD woman is backed in SS2013 collection. Raffaele Borriello has created first collection for LEONARD. The Italian designer started his career with Balmain, later working in fur and leather for Gucci, under the direction of Tom Ford.  He then designed collections for Sonia Rykiel and Yves Saint Laurent. Confident in her tastes and her power, she brings a languid elegance to the pool parties of Palm Beach, Capri and Acapulco. She is recognizable, and yet has imperceptibly changed.  She adds a modern new twist to the luxurious foliage of the graphic Bambou print and the black shadows of Chinese flowers on the acid yellow Fantasia print.

Exquisite homespun silk jersey is fashioned into a short dress with plunging neckline; a tight, Catwoman style jumpsuit or a biker jacket best appreciated at close quarters - a triumph of charm and technical skill (padded silk jersey, partially embroidered with transparent sequins, Bambou print on white at the front and black on the back).

While the silhouette is more defined: less looseness, more structure, created through pagoda style shoulder pads and leather yokes – a wider variety of fabrics and processes are used, including laser-cut leather on organza, incredibly durable printed double Georgette crepe, lacquered silk and heavy silk jersey.

 

The sharp style of the 60s and 70s jet-setters, as photographed by Slim Aarons, is the main inspiration behind this collection, but occasionally gives way to the refreshing, poetic charm of flowing, white, almost child-like printed dresses, and cute yet perfectly delicate pleats.  By day, the colours burst forth and shine like the midday sun.

 By night, they dissolve into faded corals, gentle mints and pale rose petal pinks, bringing joy to long organza dresses with original floral patterns.