Irina Vitjaz F/W 17

The Austrian-Russian designer once again paid homage to her family’s ancestry which is strongly linked with Russia’s own history, going as far back as the 17th Century. Irina’s ancestors served the Tsar with a nobility,elegance and flair that she incorporated into the designs she presented at her Fall/Winter Showcase.

The show was held at Skylight Clarkson Square, the vast space transformed into the backdrop for her designs. Apart from the runway itself, everything from the walls to the seats were in black, with dramatic music blasting over the speakers. The atmosphere was bordering on somber, were it not for the designs being presented. The mood of the room, the darkness everything was delved in, served to draw all eyes onto the models strutting the clothes down the center -- and by the looks of it, no one was able to turn away.

The majority of the looks were floor length evening or bridal gowns, most of which were embellished with Irina Vitjaz’ typical flair and drama. The emphasis in the collection was particularly on the play with fabrics, teaming see through mesh shirts with long velvet skirts, flowing silk over a figure hugging dress and shiny textures demanding the attention they deserve. The designer clearly was not afraid to add more and more, embellishing many already attention grabbing gowns with beads and sequins.

Apart from the clothes, the models were all styled naturally, their hair arranged in soft curls, barely any makeup and nude heels in order to really let the gowns speak for themselves. And speak they did: Irina Vitjaz took a bow at the end under enthusiastic applause, proving that her flair for embellishments and dramatic statements was a gamble that paid off.

Photos by Ashley Gallerani