“It’s been difficult to figure out what I wanted to create this season in a pandemic, it’s hard to stay inspired in general, so I decided to dream up another world,” Christian Siriano wrote in the show notes for his latest collection.
And that is precisely what he did. Instead of wallowing in the stillness and sadness that surrounds the COVID-19 pandemic, Siriano took inspiration from the otherworldly, in pure fantasy. “This is the fun, this is the glamour, this is what you dream of when you’re a little kid wanting to be a designer,” Siriano said. “You take this away, you have a really hard business that’s all about money.” In his Fall/Winter 2021 collection that showed last week, Siriano provided a sense of escape and reverie with his designs. Though the bulk of the collection consisted of his signature evening-wear gowns, many looks stood out from the collection due to their innovation in color and patterns.
In his extravagant use of color, Siriano showcased two one-shoulder neon lime green dresses that hugged the models, curving and swaying with their movement. Though they differed in neckline (one with a scoop neckline and the other with a halter neckline), both looks were very similar in their whimsical effect.
Another color Siriano explores in his new collection is bright pink. This color was seen in many different styles and fabrics on the runway, from a sheer tulle dress on plus-size model Marquita Pring (center) to the structured, ruffled blazer paired with a simple, black pant. The use of sheer on Pring is especially important as many designers tend to cover plus-size women’s bodies on high-fashion runways. Choosing this sheer dress for Pring highlights and celebrates her body while also selling Siriano’s plus-size range.
Another big element of Siriano’s collection is his use of patterns, from plaid to psychedelic. This is truly where his “other world” comes to life. Whimsical prints and textures make the looks distinctly different from his usual evening-wear. Hoods and masks also play a role in creating his world, elevating the models to characters in fiction.
Siriano’s collection provided a breath of fresh air to those quarantined due to the pandemic. From bright colors to psychedelic patterns, Siriano transports the viewer into another world while also tending to his classic evening-wear looks.
