Paris party bunnies and technicolour dreamcoats, Manish Arora SS16 is for 24 hour party people.
Disco Inferno
Bookended by towering hair, and towering Terry di Havilland metallic platforms, Manish Arora’s more psychedelic – less sports luxe – offering was a complete sensory indulgence. With layered tinsel-fringe dresses and crop tops in golds, reds, and purples, star print lurex bodies, and moire trousers, skirts and jackets in peacock green-cum-purple, these are looks to burn up the floor with. Why opt for casual 70s chic, when you can literally play a walking disco ball? Awesome.
Cross my palm with Sequins
The unmistakeable ‘gypsy’ theme also entered the game from the off (upon entry a huge ceiling full of lightbulbs literally screened the words ‘gypsy disco’ – hard to miss). Layered full skirts came in highlighter hues, elasticated Esmerelda tops matched, while glitter crocheted knee-high socks were teamed with every look. There was endless embellishment: sequins, mirrors, beads, explosive plastic neon flowers – all handwork, and all carried out with extreme precision. Indeed the sum of these intricate parts led to a slight feeling of aggressive dress-up – and as separates the offering is certainly more wearable – but then again, why the hell not? The theme of ‘gypsy’ is however a rather questionable one – it is unclear where the fashion industry has gleaned this rather costume-like trope from – yet again another glamourisation of a culture which has been fetishised for its code of dress. Wearers… tread carefully.
Bunnyla the party girl!
The muse for Arora’s SS16 collection was ‘Bunnyla’ – his favourite, unstoppable, Paris party bunny. Clutched by the models and they diva-ed down the runway, this sequin embellished bunny comes with condoms tucked into her knickers. The press release talks of a girl who is at the centre of every party, every night – each time with a new beau. There’s no stopping her – and my this is such a refreshing offering: non-shaming of the woman who wants to have sex, and party all the live-long day. Props.
Photographer: Thursrtan Redding
Words: Tom Rasmussen