In his role as creative director Peter Dundas has an interesting aim at Roberto Cavalli, making his fashions for the house stand out on their own among the new influence of neo-dandy romanticisism that is sweeping Italian fashion thanks to a certain brand that rhymes with Pucci, but isn’t Pucci. Anyhow, Dundas has done the brand fairly proud for AW16, giving his first collection a hippy sway at works very well for Cavalli.
Developing previous visions of the brand’s staples, Dundas introduces dark tweeds threaded with peridot green and kingfisher blue, contrasted with supple silks, metallic lamé, and glimmers of sequins, which all combined exhibit a Fellini-esque lack of inhibition. Exactly what the house needed, more class without sparing any of the high energy.
Brazen wild-cat prints and snakeskin kept up that same high energy throughout and silhouettes remained long, swooping and dramatic for both men and Pre-Fall women. This unapologetic luxury extended also very well to louche foulard silks cut into fluid lounging pyjama styles that drift into embroidered kimono territory, all worn for the evening – but never in bed.
Thanks to commendable content such as this it’s plain to see that the inspiration is there for Dundas, so much so that it is transferred onto us, and AW16 has given us many garments that we feel inspired by.
by Liam Feltham
Images courtesy of Roberto Cavalli