fashion rio: nica kessler

(images via ffw)

the s/s 2011 collection is not the first nica kessler has presented at fashion rio, but she is still a relatively new, young designer with perhaps some refinements needed to secure her vision. this show was largely seventies-referential, with colors and patterns in bright tones and filled with glamorous loungewear or items appropriate for club-going.

the designer, originally from brazil, moved to london several years ago to attend central saint martins, studying also in barcelona before eventually making her way back to begin her own brand, after having received both the appropriate education and life seasoning, of course. she describes her customer as a working woman, with tendencies toward the romantic, youthful, hip, and looking for something to convey these characteristics without over-indulgence in drama & loud ruffles.



much as i do like the collection, quite frankly, i'm not having an easy time of identifying the working woman here, unless we're talking as a cocktail waitress at some beachside club. even without the shoes & accessories, the clothes are flirty, sexy, and notice-me enough that they seem much better suited to days off, when you're kicking your feet up on some table & pretending cracking a menu to read the salad-dressing list yourself rather than hear it recited is about the most complicated concept in your life at the moment.



however, for your leisure time, we'd most of us be hard-pressed to find something better. the outfits remain sexy without dripping pheromones, and look not only divine in hot weather, but for hot weather. the shoes were particularly outstanding, as were the arm-full of bangles (see below) on the models' wrists. additionally, her use of the seventies theme, now so hot, wasnt' quite as literal as some of the others, dipping in from time to time when appropriate, but feeling more an homage than a bunch of kids playing dress-up. in other words, these clothes would look perfectly at home next to the rest of your wardrobe, never giving off too much of that vibe if you don't wish it.


for a young designer, she does indeed boast a lot of promise. her show came off quite slick, with complete looks which appeared both fresh and in-theme, giving us all the variance on casual looks we could want. i'd like to see her build on professional looks, with perhaps a few more formal evening pieces thrown in as well, as undoubtedly even the club girls have to don a suit at some point.