IT was hard to overlook the buzzing celebrity front row at Luca Luca – the incessant flashing of cameras, pearly-white grins and non-stop chatter forbade it, and who were these stars? It’s hard to say really… They were reality stars by the dozen – among them Whitney Port, Ashley Tisdale, Kate Mara and the female leads of popular State-side television show Pretty Little Liars.
This motley crew, along with an expectant early morning fashion crowd, were hustling to catch a glimpse of Raul Melgoz’s spring/summer 2012 collection for Luca Luca, a brand that over the years has carved out a niche for feminine yet structured silhouettes that more than hint at an element of “luxury”, an aesthetic evidently popular with starlets.
First up, a black floral print dress took to the runway, accentuated with a matching turban, indicative of the sumptuous Seventies-inspired wares to follow. Citrus and jewel tones dominated the palette throughout, with striking colour-blocked lime green and aqua ensembles hitting a particular high note. Red-carpet-ready cocktail and floor-sweeping dresses took to the catwalk in abundance, taking shape in bold shades of deep azure and amethyst, with provocative shoulder cut-outs and intricately crafted halter necklines with a sense of Studio 54 high-octane glamour.
The prints in the collection, although scantily strewn throughout, were a highlight – and showcased the deft hand of stylist Kathryn Neale when it comes to on-point print mixing. Covetable teal polka dot trousers and a matching jacquard blazer provided an avant-garde edge to an otherwise clean-cut, contemporary collection, something that Melgoza strives for - his design ethos being to, he says, “transcend seasons and trends to accomplish clothing that can be worn a lifetime".
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