J. Mendel unveiled a sleek, bold Spring collection designed by Giles Mendel in collaboration with artist Enoc Perez. Referencing Perez’s distinct paintings of architectural structures, an abstracted print of multi-windowed buildings formed the basis of the designs. With slashing diagonals criss-crossing at every angle, scaled up or down in varying degrees, the print was worked and reworked into slender cigarette trousers, cocktail dresses, billowing gowns and even fur coats.
To evoke Perez’s application of paint and metallic leaf, textures were rich and varied, as seen in an asymmetrical chiffon bodice over a floor length printed jacquard skirt, or a metallic lace graphic cocktail dress. Even more arresting were the colours, which were juxtaposed in fresh and unusual ways – seafoam on bright vermillion leather, fuschia on teal foxfur. To keep everything in balance, silhouettes were clean and fuss-free.
Artist-designer collaborations are commonplace these days, but this collection truly incorporated Perez’s art, seamlessly blending art and fashion together.
by Louise Lui
Images courtesy of Style.com