Becky Harris
ESVIE Contributor
Masha Ma debuted at London Fashion Week last September, with her white, pastel and foil infused pieces, named the “Icebreaker” collection, fittingly as it was her way of “breaking the ice” with the high-fashion crowds of London. Since September Masha Ma has been focused on as a designer “to watch”, for her individual ideas and the amazing structures and shapes she puts into her pieces.
After viewing her A/W 2011 collection on the catwalk at last week’s London Fashion Week, it is easy to see that Masha Ma has completely sealed the deal as being one hot new designer, and already the development in her work.
For A/W 2011, Masha Ma has stayed true to her unique vision- the architectural-inspired style of designing, and her light pastel palette, however she has added in touches of contrast- splashes of black break through the heavy overtones of egg shell, light grey and mint, along with bolts of bright red, most noticeably in the knee high patent boots which each model wore under their looks.
The pieces were cleverly styled; along with the contrasting dashes of bold red and black, the pastel hues were mixed. Think two-tone of soft mint, in both calf-skin and silk crepe; both great pieces to wear separately, but equally intriguing when paired.
Contrast was an overall theme of the show. Not only in the colours, but the materials used; heavy fabrics including cashmere and calf-skin were combined with delicate silk crepe, satin and organza. The heavy elements add a new side to the Masha Ma woman which we had yet to see before, the designer apparently envisions “a woman who is not afraid of experimenting with her femininity”.
The experimentation with the femininity can be perceived through the fabrics and the way they create over-exaggerated parts of the female silhouette. For example, a tight-fitting leather pencil skirt, built up with a delicate crepe blouse and a hefty cashmere cape made up of carefully structured, sharp, oversized ruffles. The capes and jackets were belted, tucked at the back, to reveal a beautiful draping effect over the front of the belt- strategically accentuating both the waist and bust, yet in an extraordinary and modern way.
The initial silhouette was classic and an ode to the female figure, yet the heaviness, sharpness and large scale of the coats, capes and shapes that these created portray a completely modern edge to the elegance. A Masha Ma woman is “a strong yet subtle woman whose presence is never ignored”. With these outfits, that is exactly who you will be and trust me, it looks beautiful.
