Post date: Feb 17, 2013 2:2:19 PM
Issa's Daniella Helayel, known for the iconic dress worn by Britain's Kate Middleton, unveils her new collection.
LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FEBRUARY 16, 2013)(REUTERS) - Brazilian born designer Daniella Helayel sent her models down the catwalk on the second day of London Fashion Week in printed chiffon kaftans, woven jacquards and geometric patterns as part of her latest autumn/winter collection at Issa London.
The label, whose clothes have become a firm favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge,Kate Middleton, is known for its colourful printed dresses and elegant evening gowns.Fellow designer Rhodes also came to sit front row, although she seemed more excited about the hatgear of the show than the clothes.
"Piers Atkinson has done the hats.So I'm very thrilled. I didn't get myself together enough to wear a hat. I'm looking forward to seeing it and Coco personally invited me so I'm very thrilled," she said.
Models strode down the catwalk in thick jackets with shearling and fur linings over geometric printed dresses, knitted jumpers and wide brimmed hats topped with eagle feathers.
The collection was inspired by the rugged landscape of the native Navajo Indians, Helayel told Reuters backstage after the show.
"The inspiration for the collection we started with the prints and the colours and we decided to go for American Indina, navaho, lots of feather inspired prints, rugs, diamond sort of like patterns and the woman is quite romantic so a lot of like skins, fur and big coats, big outer wear," said Helayel.
There were no plans however, in spite of recent speculation, to launch a maternity line to the brand, she added.
Thick woven jacquards were shown in a blend of warm ochres, rich caramels, sandy beiges and mossy greens, and layered over pleated trousers, shirt dresses and fitted jackets.
Full length dresses were cinched in at the waist with wide belts, and loosely tailored suits were paired with patterned shirts - as part of Helayel's experimentation with different textures and abstract patterns this season.
The collection also featured simple knitted separates in burnt orange, russet red and deep plum, with the dresses layered over turtle neck sweaters. Models wore their hair loosely braided down their backs, with simple pared down make-up.
Monochrome patterns were printed onto figure-hugging dresses, shirts and skirts, and fitted dresses were embellished with colourful beaded collars and feathers.
The designer finished the show with a elegant blue evening gown in crepe de chine fabric and intricate jewelled beading, fit perhaps for a future queen to wear.
Kathi Urban-Oberberg