“I wanted to show there was a reality within a reality within a reality,” stated Natalia Alaverdian. Her Fall 2019 show for A.W.A.K.E. MODE was basically a collective of three realities, venturing into various territories from an urban cosmopolitan lifestyle to historic Scottish roots. Yet even with little cohesion, she managed to pull everything off. Her first section—an array of stylized basics in fine linen and buttery black leather—conjured up strong silhouettes that were both feminine and powerful. A skin-tight shift in ecru embraced all the right curves, yet was womanly in its feminine definitions. Not long after, a parade of Scottish-influenced maidens set the scene. There was a sort of Macbethan rigor in this section, with loads of checks and cottons draped and cut into couture-like shapes. It wasn’t hard to imagine a modern-day Lady Macbeth in that structured full-skirted black frock, even if she might have to bare her breasts while wearing it. The third sub-line was more or less a summary of the first two, combining the softness of the first section with the graphic tease of the second. All in all, we felt this was a strong and comprehensive offering from Alaverdian. The meshing of strong shapes with a more feminine touch was astoundingly effortless. There was a lot of maturity here as well, yet broad enough to welcome younger clientele into the mix. It seems she’s found her groove in fashion once more!
Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
