The stars of Ostwald Helgason's spring presentation last night were a pair of humping balloon dogs. (At least, according to all the photos on Instagram). They appeared as an embroidered appliqué on a bright green sweatshirt, and were not, as the designers told me, a Jeff Koons reference. "The motif was inspired by an artist called Sean O'Malley, who started out in the 70s making toys. He used a lot of fun references, including balloon animals. His work is just happy!"
This is Ingvar Helgason and Susanne Ostwald's fifth year as a brand (and tenth year as a couple!) and this collection, they explained, is a celebration of all things happy. Looking around the room at Milk Studios last night, that was self-evident. The bright colors produced a noticeable endorphin rush and the balloon animal design popped up again as a patterned jacquard. This is also the first season that the designers have shown a full-length dress. It had a floral top and a sun-ray pleated skirt made from a beautiful degradé embroidered organza. "We've been working on the fabric for two years and we finally cracked it," said the designers. While OH staples like striped flared skirts and sweatshirts were still present, this collection carefully expanded the brand's vocabulary. New additions like patterned trench coats, lean tuxedo pants, and shoes and bags developed with ALDO Rise, gave us plenty of things to be happy about.
Photos by James Parker | E-mail SISI@OPENINGCEREMONY.US to be notified when the SS14 collection arrives at OC!![]()
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This is Ingvar Helgason and Susanne Ostwald's fifth year as a brand (and tenth year as a couple!) and this collection, they explained, is a celebration of all things happy. Looking around the room at Milk Studios last night, that was self-evident. The bright colors produced a noticeable endorphin rush and the balloon animal design popped up again as a patterned jacquard. This is also the first season that the designers have shown a full-length dress. It had a floral top and a sun-ray pleated skirt made from a beautiful degradé embroidered organza. "We've been working on the fabric for two years and we finally cracked it," said the designers. While OH staples like striped flared skirts and sweatshirts were still present, this collection carefully expanded the brand's vocabulary. New additions like patterned trench coats, lean tuxedo pants, and shoes and bags developed with ALDO Rise, gave us plenty of things to be happy about.
Photos by James Parker | E-mail SISI@OPENINGCEREMONY.US to be notified when the SS14 collection arrives at OC!
