N°21 FALL WINTER 2018 WOMEN’S COLLECTION – MILAN FASHION WEEK
MAJORETTE
Majorette. The title of the N° 21 fall/winter 2018-19 collection comes from the professional figure of a young woman who, in a cross between sport and spectacle, makes a pattern of movements with a baton, by turning it and throwing it into the air, usually within the context of a group exhibition. Once the show is over, the majorette takes off her uniform and returns to her daily routine.
Creative director. Alessandro dell’Acqua, N° 21 creative director, comments: «Starting out from an after- dark idea of fun, festive situations, I found in the majorette an embodiment of the incongruity between a common, working-class type of public entertainment and the spontaneous expression of an unconscious, off-the-cuff glamour that’s all the same authentic, uniquely personal. What I had in mind is a woman who – while no diva, no vamp, no star – knows how to dazzle in her everyday life. This enabled me to develop many aspects of today’s fashion that seem contradictory: as in, brightness and dark spirit, glamour and glam punk, as well as my ever-favorite masculine/feminine mix. Last but not least, it enabled me to get back the joy I take in a fashion that I’d like to become once again an expression of research, first and foremost.»
Luminosity. The neon signs of Las Vegas casinos make a splash on dresses, skirts, coats, jackets that all feature a shiny-sequin-studded wool/leather/leopard mix where black portrays the inkiness of wet asphalt and colors mimic the dazzling effects of bright lights. Likewise, gold inserts illuminate both the ponyskin parkas worn over short floral slip-dresses and the gold- or silver-fringed-sleeve shirts in mannish checks worn with lace sideband pants. Equally bright are the mannish outfits with crystal-trimmed jackets, pants and cabans; and the maxi sequin-fringed mohair cardigans, over tartan plaid chiffon dresses, under tulle slip-dresses with allover crystal embroidery.
Glamour. An element finding redefinition in fresh contemporary form, it highlights the mannish quality of sequin-embroidered sweaters and gilet vests, and of kid mohair pants, to create newly alluring images through long colored gloves and through ponyskin coats under wider camel tone wool ones. Similarly, the new glam uses lace dresses, gold brocade slip-dresses and sequined straight skirts as the ideal bases for mannish jackets.
Fringe. «An element expressing joy, for me it’s a first. I used fringe to design a collection that, in addition to focusing on the product, went back to taking a stance on fashion,» says Alessandro dell’Acqua.
Lolita. This is the name of the colorful new leather N° 21 bag, complete with big leather fringe pom-pom that will become its trademark.
Accessories. Shoes: crystal- and bow-studded medium heel pumps, satin crystal-trimmed creepers, leather or spotted ponyskin creepers, gold tone-soled sneakers. Bags: sequin-fringed shoulder bags in big and small sizes, large tote bags with long fringe. Necklaces with whistle pendant. Keychains with leopard print case. Eyewear, as ever in partnership with Linda Farrow, featuring crystal-studded frames.
