With international travel off the agenda and location scouting difficult, Huishan Zhang tapped into his memories of Italy to come up with the backdrop for his latest collection. He recalled the chalky pastels and baroque splendor of Villa Arconati, just outside Milan, and imagined the sort of woman who would live there today.
He used the interiors, furniture, gardens and architecture as inspiration for this collection, which was packed with richness in the form of tweed, cashmere and brocade, and a Mediterranean color palette of turquoise, pink, lime and peach.
There were lots of glamorous mixable separates, including a sequin halter top; cashmere sweaters with bits of ostrich fluff sprouting from the sleeves; jeans with sparkly, embellished hems, and a peacock blue Disney princess skirt made from layers of pleated tulle.
The brand has been doing a roaring trade in “emotional, wow” pieces during lockdown, according to the brand’s managing director Alessia Pasin. Even with nowhere to go, she added, homebound clients have been shopping, and keeping the clothing for better times, which they know are on the way.
She said they want something to look forward to.
No wonder there was a celebratory mood — and a wonderful sense of extravagance — to this collection which also featured a tweed lime green trouser suit; turquoise brocade opera coat, and a bougainvillea pink gown with a high neck and bejeweled epaulettes.
Zhang’s ladies certainly know how to dress for an occasion, even if it’s just a day or night spent hanging around the villa.
