12.01.10

Irina Shaposhnikova

Irina Shaposhnikova

Whilst doing some preliminary research in to Berlin and Amsterdam fashion weeks I rediscovered the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts 2009 final show, a collection I thought I had pored over exhaustively at the time. Perhaps I missed something first time round, or my eyes, fresh from a visit to several unmentionable high street shops full of lace and general flounce, were craving something graphic and structure, but either way, Irina Shaposhnikova ticked all the right boxes.

Crystallographica does just exactly what you would expect- structured facets, which resemble complicated crystals, create sharply defined graphic silhouettes. However the sheer fabrics stop the collection from becoming too heavy and ensure that everything looks wearable, if not practical. However the less dramatic trouser suits, whilst not usually something to inspire excitement in yours truly, are actually rather good, and certainly, if I were ever to wear something so formal, would be top of my list.

Shaposhnikova’s previous collection could not have been more different, knitted cage cables, which attracted considerable attention following a feature in Russian Vogue. This girl of many talents is certainly a name to look out for in the future…

Backstage images by Sonny V.

Posted by Vicki Loomes

Tags: Irina Shaposhnikova Antwerp