Dresses on the Runway at Hong Kong Fashion Week
Off-the-shoulder necklines and oodles of ruffles were some of the predominant looks at the various runway shows held at Hong Kong Fashion Week, which highlighted the Spring/Summer 2011 season.
Ruffles danced around hemlines and bounced around necklines. Models sashayed down the catwalk in sophisticated evening gowns made more elegant by off-the-shoulder silhouettes reminiscent of attire worn by Greek goddesses.
Three designers, who are mainstays at the twice-a-year Hong Kong Fashion Week, dominated the fashion shows, held July 5–8, with various creations of primarily dresses and skirts.
Espen Salberg, a Norwegian now living in Bali, Indonesia, employed jersey fabric to create minimalist looks that hugged the body. He used his background as a designer who worked with professional dancers to give his evening gowns, dresses, skirts and harem pants a not-too-fussy look that appeared comfortable but stylish. His show, called “Non Solo Bianco,” or “Not Only White,” started out with an array of white dresses and jumpsuits and progressed into leopard-skin fabric shaped into evening gowns punctuated with ruffles or skirts accented with leopard-print designs. He ended his show with black dresses and jumpsuits that had sleek but simple lines.
Ali Charisma, who also lives in Indonesia, took his inspiration from trying to balance a busy, urban lifestyle with a more laid-back vibe. Think work versus yoga. He forged looks from hard and soft fabrics, such as leather with chiffon and silk, to mix feminine with strong. Saffron yellow was a major color in the collection.
Knit tops with geometric shoulders were paired with short, ruffled skirts and bright leggings. Harem pants were a favored silhouette for day or night. Evening gowns were more elaborate, with ample use of silk that was cut into layers, draped or ruffled.
Ika, a regular on the runway, looked to the oceans of the world for her “Time of the Tides” Spring/Summer 2011 show. The Indonesian designer, who lives in Hong Kong, is known for using spliced fabric to create the geometric designs that grace her colorful dresses and tops. For Spring/Summer 2011, Ika was heavy into purple, blue, pink, maroon, black and white.
Other designers on the runway were Carol Reyes, a recent graduate from the International Academy of Design and Technology in San Antonio; Australian designer Cristina Nitopi; and Indonesian brand Benten Fashion.—Deborah Belgum
