“Rachael is an experiment. Nothing more.” The collection, heavily influenced by the sounds of Vangelis and the aesthetics of Ridley Scott’s 1982 movie Blade Runner maintained A.W.A.K.E.’s distinctive strangeness and emphasis on comfort and wearability. Natalia Alaverdian continued her legacy successfully creating an avant-garde yet versatile wardrobe, recognisable for its innovative cuts, unexpected details, light-heartedness and subtle cross-cultural and historical references from art and film.
Determined to produce unique and almost art object-like pieces, Alaverdian has been able to elevate classic tailoring through her quirky details, offering contemporary and conceptual pieces for elegant and sophisticated women. When asked about the relevance of the film Blade Runner to her collection by Vogue Runway, Alaverdian simply stated that fashion-wise, the movie gave her a sense of “hopefulness” which she tried to translate in her choice of colours; deep blues, purple bordering on black, and russet. Textures in the collection included sequins, velvets, long-and-lean knitwear, denim, suit-ware and fur.
When it comes to tailoring, the London-based label maintains its place as an insider favourite delivering extra-wide trousers anchored with metal balls, panelled maxi-skirts in patches of upcycled denim, and cargo pants which the designer dubbed as “screwed up office wear,” all cut to precision and looking intriguingly unconventional. Faux fur was playfully tailored into skirts, boots, bags and even handcuffs exemplifying A.W.A.K.E.’s distinctive flavour of surrealism and strangeness which is translated into each piece of the collection.
