Summary: Irina Shabayeva's Fall '11 collection was an eclectic assortment of glitz, glamour and gaucho. The former Project Runway winner took some risks this season in her bold use of geometric pattern, her broad range of silhouettes and her unique snowflake detail that was shown both as a laser-cut print and as a three dimensional accent. Her risks definitely paid off in some ways—I loved the floppy snowflake accents on the full A-line skirts (he pictures don't do it justice but it was truly a beautiful detail both coming and going). Similarly, her full-skirted bustier dresses and striking cocktail dresses encrusted with rock candy-like gems were were instantly covetable. Plus the hats were a sleek, if not unexpected, accessory.
There were some parts of the collection that were a bit much. A few of the gowns toed the line into pageant territory with all over golden glitter or heavily bejeweled bodices, with one (the gold dress with the asymmetrical skirt) even likening to a figure skating costume. Shabayeva definitely has the eye for construction, seen in craftsmanship of the simpler pieces like flair coats and knit sweaters, but she may need to tone down the drama a bit more before becoming appealing to a broader audience.
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Color Palette: charcoal, black, silver, gray, red, camel, blue, white, tan, gold, champagne, cobalt blue, prism, metallic
Fabrics and Textures: knit, leather, crystal, laser-cut, snowflake, flair, ruffle, jersey, jewel, gaucho
Key Looks: Red prism dress with infinity scarf, gray cropped coat with laser cut snowflake collar, Cobalt blue jewel cocktail dress, white A line bustier dress with laser-cut snowflake detail silver metallic cocktail dress with knit scarf, gloves and gaucho hat
-Alia Rajput
Photo Source: Sascha Knopf Photgraphy
