LA Fall 2006 Fashion Week: Kara Saun

You may recognize her as the runner-up for Season One’s Project Runway, but this runway show demonstrates that Kara Saun doesn’t need the title of “winner” to continue making huge inroads into the fashion landscape.

Kara Saun’s fall runway designs channeled English Victorian, French baroque and Japanese empire for a universally regal collection. Kara capitalizes on the strengths of the traditional styles while simultaneously modernizing them to create an ultra-feminine appeal.

The various fabrics she uses for her kimono dresses make them light and ethereal rather than conventionally cumbersome (traditional kimonos are constructed from over nine yards of fabric!), transforming the formal costume into an easily wearable dress. Each kimono dress is distinct with varying details that provide similar effects: the lowered waist with a dropdown bustline (left), the leather obi and slit (center), and ballooned sleeves and modern tunic-inspired top (right), enhance the sensuality of the look with subtle sophistication.

The mesh overlay fabric of the dress at left is simply gorgeous, and Kara lets the pattern stand on its own with some creative additions that enhance rather than detract from the look. The translucent sleeves mimic the effect of the fabric’s print—the model’s creamy skin under the gray mesh imitates the satin under the gray overlay. The collar-scarf adds a defining Victorian touch. The monochromatic dress at right flutters at the sleeves and skirt. The grey is an edgier color that is juxtaposed with a feminine cut. The one-tone color and neck-to-floor length (with long sleeves) would be overwhelming if weren’t for the open bust.

For the jacket at left, Kara uses leather to construct a design based on the Victorian-era blouse, which is usually made with silk or other lightweight fabrics. The use of leather demonstrates her intricate garment construction skills, as well as her aesthetic ability to retain the soft femininity of a blouse while simultaneously altering the traditional look for a fashion-forward approach to leather outerwear. The large leather bands around the waist are perhaps more flattering than the cinched waist (on real world people), and creates a bustier look without the rigidly confining corset. A brocade skirt matched with a solid shirt provides balance.

-Ali

Posted by Ali @ 10:32 am

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