SHOW: Akira – Resort 2017
LOCATION: The Box, Carriageworks
DATE: May. 17
START TIME: 5PM
TOP INSTA LOOK: The collection was showcased in a palette of almost completely red and white – possibly an unintended nod to the colors of Japanese-born designer Akira Isogawa’s hometown flag – but the array of light and flowing pieces were all blessed with the signature Akira structured elements, taking the collection up a notch from its peer’s beachy resort offerings.
BEHIND THE SCENES: White eyeliner applied across the middle of eyelids and deep side parts with hair pinned close to the forehead – styling was kept light and breezy to allow the focus to settle on the clothes. Also key were polka dots, which featured throughout, such as in red and white on a button-down knee-length shirt dress.
OFF PROBATION: An off the shoulder floaty white maxi dress with a single strap and full-length disappearing arm, emblazoned with a sprawling Red Waratah Australian bush flower, perfect for flashing your native roots while swanning along the red carpet at Cannes.
GOOD BEHAVIOUR BOND: A white, off-the-shoulder blazer styled over a sheer top covered in flowers created from sequins, cinched at the waist with a shimmering obi and worn over a white slip, the look given a culture clash vibe with a pair of strappy white flats.
INSPIRED BY: The designer’s talent excluding him from the need to define a collection by any one source of inspiration, Akira simply served up a suite of masterfully tailored pieces with a subtle play on layering and structure.
POP CULTURE-NOD: Like that moment in a class when you’re reminded of your age when you realize you’re still taking hand-written notes while the youngsters are taking photos on their iPhone, Akira’s latest collection was a walking advertisement for upgrading your wardrobe to grown-up fashion. Think the Frank Lloyd Wright of fashion.
WEAR IT TO: A spritzer with the rich and famous on your French Riviera superyacht charter, before sailing over champagne to Billionaires Row, where you dock in the Monaco Harbor to change into a designer bikini and showcase your legs for days on your expansive roof deck, enjoying the Eurotrash cash playground.
OVERHEARD COURTSIDE: “After I complete this internship I’ll probably just getting a writing job at Vogue.” – overheard in the line from a delusional millennial.
COLOR WHEEL: Red, white, black, grey, navy and a spot of color in a bright floral print.
BEATS: Banging tech beats complemented the smart resort offering, sparking visions of your next scheduled summer soiree at which to incite outfit envy among your frenemies.
THE DOCKET: Drawing from both his Japanese heritage and today’s current Australian relaxed, smart casual style, Akira delivered a gender neutral suite of breathable looks, perfect for the global stalwart with a mystery plane ticket to somewhere four hours away. Diversity was the play of the day in the smartly tailored offering, but there was nothing politically correct about the crowd’s earnest enthusiasm for the designer’s show.
