Post date: Mar 03, 2013 6:19:4 PM
Viktor & Rolf's Autumn/Winter 2013 collection blends sophistication with edginess to create the perfect wardrobe for the rebel chic woman.
PARIS, FRANCE (MARCH 2, 2013) (REUTERS) - The Dutch design duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren of the edgy label Viktor & Rolf presented an unfettered and monochromatic collection for Autumn/Winter 2013 on Saturday (March 2) of Paris Fashion Week.
It was a departure from Viktor & Rolf's past collections, which recognized by their elaborate theatrics and sartorial complexities. The opening looks were surprisingly simple and minimalistic- there were tailored shirts and miniskirts with low-slung hip belts in a graphic black and white palette.Yet despite a more pared-down repertoire, the DNA of the label was not entirely absent: Viktor & Rolf's signature ruffles and bows were scattered throughout the collection on both button-down shirts and cocktail dresses.
Viktor & Rolf co-designer Rolf Snoeren told Reuters that he wanted to mix both rebellious and sophisticated elements in his latest collection. Hence the lack of towering heels in lieu of patent pumps with low stacked heels for the easy-going rebel chic.
"We wanted to create a chic rebel, so one on hand it's a very chic woman, but there is a lot of energy and a certain rawness to the way we interpreted this. For instance, there's only black and white, it's very graphic, very sculptural. We always like to work on sculptural shapes. And there is for instance, a whole theme about ripped jeans, but it's not jeans it's tuxedos and it's hand-embroidered. So it's that surreal interpretation of something that you know that is something that is familiar that is very close to the way we work. That's how we work, we take something you know and we transform it," he said
Viktor & Rolf is known for its dexterity in deconstructing fragile fabrics like tulle and chiffon and the shirts, jackets and pants that appeared ripped and slashed was actually achieved through pain-staking hand embroidery.
"We used a lot of holes, but in a surreal way so as if things have been trashed and then they become beautiful so it's really, let's say, a couture way of seeing something more street," said Viktor & Rolf co-designer, Viktor Horsting.
Paris is the final leg of the international Fashion Week whirlwind, following New York,London and Milan and runs from February 26 to March 6.