THE girls started strolling down the shiny black runway in the shape of a massive ink spillage to Dolly Parton’s famous track Jolene at Ong-Oaj Pairam’s SS17 show. And that set the mood of the whole collection.
Cited as one of the main inspirations for this season, among other female country singers such as Shania Twain, Dolly Parton’s country style was apparent in many of the pieces on show. It was seen in fringed dresses in red suede or pony skin, a skirt suit with a tucked in button-down, very much unbuttoned, the use of bright pink or pointy cowgirl suede mules.
But it was all about the Americana, the south and the Wild West. However, Pairam managed to use this inspiration and translate it into something very desirable, elegant yet cool. Checked and paisley shirts were worn with bright pink dungarees or a full length round skirt with organza ruffles, girly floral mini dresses were paired with jackets in leopard, also used on a jumpsuit referencing Shania Twain’s look from the That Don’t Impress Me Much video, or suede with floral applique.
And then the attention turned to Hollywood as the floor-sweeping evening gowns stepped out. An asymmetric silk wrap dress in cactus green was among the favourites, as well as strapless tube number covered in tiny sequins creating an ombre effect in sunset shades. The two closing gowns were haute couture worthy, both covered in frills, one in Valentino red, the other made out of leopard organza and looking rather Giambattista Valli-esque.
by Sara Hesikova
Images courtesy of HPR London