As French ‘chansons’ played softly, doe-eyed models in
tousled beehives strutted out into Napsugar’s retro universe. A colour palette
of cobalt blue, dark turquoise and golds made for a vivacious visual display. Citing
the seven cardinal sins as inspiration behind the collection, a critique of
modern society was in play. In homage to
the Pop Art movement, ‘POP’ and ‘WHAM’ signs were accompanied by a 3D popcorn
bucket and half eaten lollipop, clearly signifying consumerism and greed.
Napsugar’s signature lazer-cut leather garments were the focal
point of the collection. Oversized leather jackets with jagged edges and
futuristic turtlenecks made a firm statement. Evocative of cubist
architecture, collars, contoured lines and diagonal cuts were recurrent details
in the designs. Floor length, backless
leather gowns captured the essence of femininity in body close silhouettes expressing
female power. Androgynous fittings were mutually a dominant fixture, cigar
trousers and navy shorts were worn with knee high socks reminiscent of
school-boy wear.
The interactive nature opportuned creative freedom. Perhaps a reference to a social media dominated culture, models were frequently halted by a ringing plastic telephone and rendered oddly static given the freedom for movement. Airplane seats were a centrepiece which lent a neither here nor there atmosphere to the presentation and communicated the ever-changing nature of the fashion world.
By Lydia Smyth, contributor (@LydiaRoseSmyth)