Best of Reykjavik Fashion Festival
Iceland’s second showing turned out an impressive 22 runway shows over two nights (on time no less). Here are the standout collections that caught our attention:
1
Standouts from Eyglo’s collection were the cleverly cut-away wool coats and paper-thin silk dresses printed with what seemed ghostly x-rays struck a brilliantly tenuous note between sweet and creepy.
2
A real standout that would have held its own on any major runway, Sruli’s collection is made almost entirely from Icelandic materials: reindeer, taxidermy bird skins, horse and cod skin, lamb fur (and is rumored to be experimenting with tanning shark skin). It was something of a citified take on modern-day Viking might wear: slouchy three pieces suits, tailored rustic leather jackets and knit pants. And thanks to the Sruli Recht models, never have full beards been more alluring.
3
With their roots firmly planted in menswear tailoring (Andersen & Lauth was originally a tailor shop back in 1934), the handcrafted feel and attention to fit is still evident. Most pieces from their Atelier collection are hand-made, and it shows: delicate laces and beading seem like heirlooms and thanks to inventive layering and draping, what could just come across as girly flounce has a hint of edge.
4
Parading models down the runway to Cherry Bomb, her off-the-wall collection of slightly Goth, slightly tribal looks done up in hand-embroidered black sheers and tye-dyes had some serious personality. Add to that her signature hand-crocheted pieces (necklaces, tops, poodle bags) woven with unexpected crosses and guns, and what could have been a heavy-handed collection winds up feeling surprisingly playful.
5
The duo (and real-life couple) Magni Thorsteinsson and Hugrun Arnadottir debuted their first clothing collection during RFF 2011 on the heels of a wildly popular collection of vintage-inspired, brightly-colored footwear. The collection did not disappoint—the 1920’s feel was modernized with abstract prints, graphic tights and updated silhouettes in silk and knits—an absolute standout.
6
What looked like a gang of zombie skiers (complete with black spray painted ski boots and a ski pole for balance) paraded down the runway in a brilliant mix of black and white patterned knits—like a monochromatic Icelandic Missoni. The show was clearly a crowd favorite, drawing cheers, and with good reason—the pieces are statement making, but still fully wearable. The aviator-style glasses, however, might take a more adventurous spirit to pull off.
