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story by Cassandra Past
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
web editor Rachel Reneé
A field of exotic flowers was the essence of the new collection of talented young designer Fabiola Arias presented for Fall 2012 at the Americano Hotel. Consisting of entirely dresses, mostly of cocktail length, models disguised as birds of paradise gracefully strode down the short runway. Despite simple silhouettes, these designs were anything but commonplace. Flamingo pink, canary yellow, and robin red lent well to the tropical presentation.
What was so interesting about this collection was ultimately that nothing was as it seemed. Above all, Ms. Arias loves creating her own textures and stated that she starts by “getting common fabrics, cutting it up, shredding it, and stitching it back together to create this rose petal effect.”
One garment in particular, a prime example of Ms. Aria’s affinity for textures, was a simple strapless cocktail dress with a collage of periwinkle, petunia, and purple hydrangea fabric “petals” that looked like fingerprints in purple clay. A simple straight-cut dress in guava pink too, had what at first appeared to be layers of feathers at the bottom, but in interviewing the designer afterwards, were revealed to be simply organza as Ms. Arias stated “I love to manipulate fabric to give an effect of feathers or fur, but not use feathers or fur.”
Other highlights of the collection included an aquamarine and rosemary, lace-embroidered cocktail dress, and a stunning poppy red, lace embroidered silk, chiffon, and organza gown with scooped back that looked as though it had been painted on the model.
Perfectly complementing these works of art were hats designed by milliner Anilu Oms, Ms. Arias mother, which really were the cherry on top of the collection. Each more opulent than the next, and all impeccably constructed. A canary yellow feathered headpiece was a sublime addition to a lemon ice strapless cocktail dress with a licorice black bolero. By far though, the finale headpiece was the most grandiose. A hat resembling the Brazilian rose apple flower truly blossomed on the runway.
A majestic menagerie of textures and colors, this collection was captivating and inspiring. While Ms. Arias plans to expand her collection into more pants and jackets in the future, for now her bewitching cocktail dresses and gowns remain forever fashionable as paintings suited for feminine forms.
