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Carin Wester's gypsy flamencoes to Sweden

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Carin Wester's gypsy flamencoes to Sweden

Monday at Stockholm Fashion Week saw the cornerstones of Swedish fashion take to the catwalk; well-established fashion heavyweights J. Lindberg and Filippa K Man alongside the animated Back, Ann-Sofie Back's diffusion line, started the proceedings.

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Carin Wester SS14

Transition to evening and thankfully, the temperatures cooled. Gone were the makeshift fans of folded press releases in the afternoon heat; instead, bloggers, buyers and editors sat patiently sipping bottles of Peroni. Apt, as this collection was inspired by that most mysterious and intoxicating of women, the Latino.

IN PICTURES: Mercedes Benz Stockholm Fashon Week - Carin Wester Summer/Spring 2014

Carin Wester, another of Sweden's prototypical urban-fusion brands danced this collection around El romancero gitano – The gypsy ballads.

A seeming dichotomy of Scandinavian cool versus hot Latino actually worked here. And rather flawlessly too. While the collection was more minimalist than exuberant Italian woman, subtle romantic and details flared up typically cool Swedish style.

The natural dynamism captured in Carin Wester's spring/summer 2014 collection played out in texture and hints of Mediterranean dance. Flamenco drop skirts in waspy linen epitomized Wester's minimalist take on the dramatic and passionate Latin woman. Waffled cotton also worked to soften the seductress' glare.

Glimpses of skin and a natural sexiness were created with rounded lace and woven dresses in full-bodied yarns. The heaviness of the fabric here, the dryness and raspy naturalness of linen and cotton played the part of Nordic bohemian very well.

Bags, created by Danish brand Adax for Carin Wester - and inspired by that most countrified instruments, the accordion - clasped around models' arms without the need for grip through a soft leather strapping, worn almost like a bracelet.

Arguably, the collection's standout piece was a pink mandarin bomber jacket; soft yet edgy - think pared-down Pink Ladies' from musical Grease. And if you wouldn't consider messing with a Pink Lady, you certainly wouldn't want to double-cross a Wester Woman.

Models strode ferociously, demandingly and were softened only by the mellow palette of dove, cream and almond. The play between soft and dynamic that cut across this collection worked well. Even a demure silk baby-doll dress had edge; the dress with its strap-like, racer-back was enough to make even the most strapping Latino man cry.

Carin Wester said that this collection was neither for the city girl on a trip to the country, nor for a country girl and I agree. This s/s collection was for a girl of her own making. One comfortable in her own skin and one whom despite her soft complexion and whimsical demeanour would take no prisoners. She may carry blooms in her handbag and wear flowers in her hair but Wester's gypsy woman is in complete control. And she'll dance you into an early grave.

Victoria Hussey

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