The designing duo Phillipe and David Blond have never been about ready-to-wear, opting for costume design in lieu of what is expected each season at New York Fashion Week.
This season of Swarovski crystal corsets and spiked masterpieces was a safari-inspired collection. Also incorporated into the looks were luxury design elements, including select furs and feathers from Adrienne Landau, adorned spiked Christian Louboutin heels, and custom hats by milliner Victor Osbourne, recently featured in Italian Vogue. Finishing off the dazzlingly stylized looks were lengthy false nails, adding to the overwhelming sensation of sparkle.
The show opened up with a roaring costumed gorilla, naturally, as the collection was safari-inspired. The King Kong-like beast stripped down to designer Phillipe Blond himself as he stormed the catwalk in a sparkling masterpiece.
With his exit, it was hot models strutting with attitude galore. Between the crystal-encrusted corsets and other types of hardware The Blonds are reminiscent of what Thierry Mugler gave us in his days of the famed “motorcycle dress” as seen in George Michael’s fashion-infused video “Too Funky.”
Images by Philip C. Kim.
