THERE is something ethereal when it comes to 16Arlington’s clothes. For autumn-winter 2023, Marco Capaldo presented a collection for ‘spellbinding women’ marking a return to his fantasy land of sirens. Titled Wake, nature was at the core of this seasonal offering as the creative director looked deeply into the rituals of earth – how light turns to darkness, our moon and sun, and the never-ending cycle of tides.
While the earth and all its routines were at the core of inspiration what translated into the clothes was duality, balancing the neutrality of ovoid silhouettes with their famed feminine mirror sequins and then the masculinity of thistle-like motif embroidery.
Thick dark wool and black faux fur juxtaposed the delicate white feather trimmings and water-like transparency of materials, allowing the looks to mirror the exact thoughts Capaldo had when setting out to create this collection.
Heavenly may be a good adjective to use when describing the collection as looks evolved from see-through dresses, long-waisted two-piece sequin ensembles, and skirts slit right to the top of the waist, to more conservative trench coats, structured satin suits and shaggy overcoats.
Whether you identify more with the mischievous side of 16Arlington or prefer the meticulous sartorial side to the brand, the emergence of Capaldo’s clothes is becoming more and more frequent, echoing a new dawn for the world he has created.
by Imogen ClarkÂ