AKIRA ISOGAWA | FALL / WINTER 2012

Akira Isogawa has been lauded by Australian Vogue as ‘one of Australia’s most celebrated and successful fashion designers’ and  has been a firm fixture at Paris Fashion Week for over a decade. Known for drawing on traditional Japanese fashion designs and techniques, this season Isogawa created a collection which incorporated these techniques within a symphony of rich jewel tones and autumnal hues.

Isogawa used draping and layering to great effect. Floor length amethyst dresses were covered with floaty patterned cardigans and scarves and strategically gathered kimonos were placed over sequin-detailed leggings. Over-sized camel coats with asymmetric hems and cosy knits will keep the fashion-conscious warm, whilst fiery floral prints remind of a not-yet-forgotten summer.

Soft shapely dresses formed a big part of Akira Isogawa Fall / Winter 2012 collection. In keeping with his tradition of swapping revealing and figure hugging designs for more conservative and feminine looks, these Akira dresses came in floor and knee lengths. Created in a range of bold tones, from ruby red, clean white and jet black, each dress was fluidly draped and thoughtfully embellished for a flattering, womanly finish.

Akira Isogawa’s Fall / Winter 2012 was an interesting collection with brilliant use of pattern, colour and cut, Isogawa has once again proved himself as a great sartorial talent with a real skill for mixing traditional cultural elements with modern design techniques.

- Zoe Dickens