Uncharted AREA
AREA, known for their very high-end, glittery ready-to-wear collections, has released a debut couture collection. The brand that has been lauded for its eclectic and modern designs has taken its clothing to the runway for its movement into the luxury market.
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The couture collection is comprised of 14 designs modeled by a diverse set of women with varying body types. “For our debut Haute Couture collection we wanted to highlight our passion for custom tailoring,” the brand said on Instagram. “Every type of body is beautiful and unique in its [own] way and we wanted to highlight that by playing with a range of silhouettes created to complement the wearer, showcasing that beauty and craft can feel exclusive in it’s core but at the same time include a range of body types.”
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The couture line can be described as geometric, crystallized, largely drawing on earth tones, and inspired by ancient civilization. “We had several points of inspiration - but an [overarching] theme within the collection was ancient civilizations. We realize that while haute couture was formally established in Paris in 1858, when you look deeper into history and tracing back to ancient civilizations, there has always been a deep connection and appreciation for craft and beauty,” the brand mentioned in a comment on Instagram. Some standout looks include an asymmetrical periwinkle and black crystal chiffon fringe dress, a black coat featuring shimmering silver discs along the sleeves and lower half, a multicolor asymmetrical dress draped down with crystal fringe, and a blood orange geometrically tiered gown.
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Overall, the clothing hits the marks for a first showing. It’s well-manufactured, plays with different silhouettes, and includes very artistic elements both materially and conceptually. Has AREA reached the apex of haute couture? Probably not. The collection feels like a step up from the garments that they typically produce without really deviating from what is expected from a ready-to-wear collection. This is a promising start for a brand that is new to couture, but in order to improve for the next collection, the designers will have to seriously assess what they can do to take a step out of their own heads and make bolder statements that can rival established fashion houses. If nothing else, however, it offers variety and new perspectives on the potential for couture showings.
By Ryán Salamo
Instagram: @astr0man74