Japanese designer Rira
Sugawara showcased his third collection in the main Hall at Freemasons this
afternoon. The atmosphere was warm and stimulating. The audience was cosmopolitan
and eclectic. Fluorescent hair in purples and greens, a bright pink fur jacket
and printed tops amongst tailored black suits and leather trousers. Running fashionably late, ten-fifteen minutes
off schedule, the collection strutted through onto the runway oozing confidence
and attitude. The feeling was bright, pop art, retro glamour.
Sugawara was
suggesting a new way of Popism, through 60’s American pop art and ‘the
spiritual character of a Japanese high priest’, and he did just that. The
attitude was fierce. Head to toe printed suits with spurts of electrifying bold
colour. The models' hair was short and voluminous, each containing bright coloured
ends in yellows, oranges and pinks. Most of the models were adorned with circular
60’s style brightly coloured sunglasses, contrasted with a pale complexion and
vivid red lips, which only added to their sultry and edgy appearance. Many
garments contained large printed fur collars and if not a hood, fur hat or
fascinator.
Full length printed
coats were key to the Dans La Vie collection and the overall collection multicoloured,
with black elements present to neutralise the palette.
Emily Palmer, VFS Contributor
Follow her @emilypalmer4
Follow her @emilypalmer4
Photography by Carla Guler