Gustavo Arango - Spring 2007

As you know if you've been reading this blog lately, I studied the Spring 2007 resort collections very closely before coming to fashion week. As resort basically forms the basis for Spring collections, I've not felt as if I were seeing much of anything new on the runways. (The predictions I made for Spring are definitely panning out, by the way.)

Having reviewed photos of his previous collections, I did not have my heart set on seeing Arango's show. However, I try to keep an open mind, so when I had the opportunity to attend his show I took it. It didn't hurt to hear that he's Carolina Herrera's favorite up-and-coming designer, either.

From the very first look, Gustavo Arango's collection was exciting. The collection is consistent with many key trends for Spring 2007 (red, pleats, metallics, satins, silk, and beading, to name a few), but the show was a pleasure to watch because of his very distinct take on these trends. Pleats do not run straight up and down but rather in all different dirrections. The beading on a few of his dresses is remarkable; beads form the entire surface of one shift, and form a beautiful three dimensional addition to a gown which almost resembles one of those oversized "chain" necklaces made entirely of beads. Finally, some of the metallic fabrics were different from any I've seen thus far; "celestial" is the first word that comes to mind to describe them. 

Photos by Rachel of Style Bites, taken from our front row seats in the Atelier. Click images to see larger.