The greatest delight for any fashion editor or commentator is when the seventy-fifth fashion show you see of the year (and it is only February), surprises, delights and makes you happy. The collection by Coppelia at the Design Indaba Expo on the weekend did just that. What a visual and stylistic treat.
Of course it is completely commercial — that is the explicit intent of the DI shows. But it was also very bold. And it was very, very different from the last couple of collections Kirsty Bannerman (one half of the Mungo&Jemima team) designed. I really loved it. And I enjoyed it all over again looking at the images of the show. That is a good test of the longevity and authenticity of the designs.
My favourite look was the blue midi skirt and boxy top. It is the perfect look for this season, in wonderful, soft, flowing fabrications. And the bright, block colour in simple silhouettes is flattering and exciting for our market here in SA.
You can get Coppelia at Mungo&Jemima and the Biscuit Mill Market in Cape Town and at The Space in Rosebank, I believe.