It is wonderful to see London Fashion Week back again – the city is gripped by fashion week fever. The joy and excitement of seeing next the spring and summer collections and the new trends that will follow is high. I went backstage at Bora Aksu to watch the AOFM Pro make-up team at work. The new collection is named A Dancer With Wings. Amongst Queen Victoria’s collection of paper dolls, was a doll she named Madame Taglioni in honour of a young Italian ballerina named Marie Taglioni who was rejected by her Parisian teacher, a move which fuelled her father’s anguish and led to him to train her himself, vowing to turn her into the most beautiful and brilliant ballerina ever seen by the world.
White features as background for the collection in keeping the lightness of Marie’s dance. Fabrics include silks, organza and cottons are combined to create softness and transparency. Shades of peach and pink reference classic ballerina tones while darker shades of black, cobalt and lilac blues keep their ultra-light feel. Hand-made embroideries and crochets features throughout, with a dragon fly motif which represents the transformation of beauty in young Marie’s life.
A life of hardship and isolation remained for Marie despite her glamorous image and this contrast is brought through with texture. Crochet in white tones signifies purity while the knotted techniques recreate the overwhelming presence of her inner demons.
The spring/summer collection pays tribute not only to the delicacy of paper dolls but the legendary grace and might of Marie Taglioni.
Make-up by Yin Lee for AOFM PRO using Mehron Makeup.
