UNDERSTATED CHIC CELEBRATED IN A VARIETY OF LOOKS
Story by Odessa Paloma Parker
Photos by George Pimentel
One of the most hotly anticipated shows of the week, Arthur Mendonça‘s brand of capital-G glamour was on full display as he sent a parade of glossy haired mavens down the runway.
With belts being one of the only “themes” carried through the looks (from obi to sash-style), Mendonça focused on both structured and fluid lines for S/S13. Draped and wrapped dresses for evening had a luxurious languor, while strong shoulders and strict pencil skirts were key for daytime. But then Mendonça would flip the script, sending out body-con sheaths for night, and a cocoon-shaped skirt and outsized blouse that would settle in nicely at the office. The cinched effect given by the belts gave each model an intriguing silhouette and held the overall sensibility together.
There was no definitive colour palette to the collection – rather, Mendonça gave his fans options as pieces came in sherbet brights, citrus shades, rich jewel tones, black and white – with a few graphic prints thrown in for good measure.
The sign of a confident and assured designer, this mix was a message that fashion should be about taste and what suits, not what is arbitrarily dictated by trends. In this way, Mendonça revealed his staying power is built on trust as well as exceptional style.
