Karla Spetic
19-05-2009
Carefully placing printed designs that looked like they had been taken from a storybook and opening the show with a flowing white dress that could have passed for a ballet outfit, Septic's inner child was out for play this SS09/10 collection.
Spetic presented a light, floaty collection in pastels that had the audience sceptical about the lack of colour and simplicity at first. But as the show progressed so did the sophistication. Her refreshing lace peach vest coupled with her nude draped body suit and black waist belt, replaced the childish silhouettes with burgeoning elegance.
The designer's clear stand out was her flared tailored jackets with scallop hem, matched with Lycra tights in an ephemeral tea rose print, this whispered aa resemblance to the Chloe SS09/10 on the runway. The hard masculine tailored lines juxtaposed with the softness of the print, demonstrated Spetic's talent for blending opposing design styles.
Flashes of the 80's were repeated across the whole collection, with high waisted skirts, Lycra tights, vests and slouchy pants. Spetic added her own touch with tied knots in pants, twisted sleeves and criss-crossed fabric. Her great attention to detail lifted the simplicity of her silhouettes.
This Spetic show follows the trends that have been seen across the oceans from the European SS09 collections. But it is her natural ability for detail and prints that make her decidedly different, and it is only hoped that she drives this design style further in later work. Her collection spoke of feminine growth and transition, her designs occupying the space between being a girl to demure young woman, and like any blooming young woman- it was all about sweetness and light.
Deborah Burton
