Front Row

Rafael Cennamo Spring/Summer 2013

Venezulean designer Rafael Cennamo looked to the Far East for inspiration for his spring/summer 2013 collection.  Though there were lots of sequins, beading and crystal embellishments embedded in silk chiffon, organza, tulle and a variety of luxury fabrications, Cennamo’s affectation for Japanese motifs still shined through.

From the cherry blossom kimono to gowns with metal Obi belts to Asian topknots, Cennamo successfully conjured up images of Geisha concubines and all things of the Orient while pushing his collection into the realm of fashion-forward modernity.

In this outing Cennamo mixed the hard and soft with a color palette that ranged from peach coral to steel grey. Cennamo’s predilection for hard and soft combinations was evidenced in architectural construction married with soft diaphanous fabrics.

Rafael Cennamo spring/summer 2013 images courtesy of Ernest Green

Though this collection had the appearance of a couture collection one would see from Galliano’s tenure at Dior or even Mugler’s frothy vampish 80s creations —think the opening scene for the cult movie classic Mahogany—Cennamo has solidly placed this collection in the present with several garments that would great on the red carpet.

—William S. Gooch

 

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