MFW: No. 21 SS16

I sign up to quite a few mailing lists for different fashion blogs and websites, so there is a lot of fashion week coverage in my inbox. Scrolling through a BoF Fashion Week email, I came across a designer I hadn't heard of before. But the image appealed to me so much that I immediately took a screenshot as a reminder to write the blog post you are reading now. The show was No. 21, headed by creative director Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

The designer's inspiration for the collection was Corrine Day, the nineties and Tina Modotti. Both Modotti and Day are both photographers, but from different time periods, so Dell'Acqua's inspiration was rather broad. More so when the BoF dismisses these claims and instead notes that he channels "early Vivienne Westwood, Comme des Garçons and his beloved Helmut Lang." I am no expert on the designer, but the collection seems to have nightwear influences and plays with layering and different textures. 

This look is the one that attracted me to the collection. I love the soft pastel dress with its plunging neckline, rather like a slip. Its layered over a basic white tank, giving a more wearable daytime look. The addition of toeless socks give a 90s/normcore vibe.

I am not a stripes girl. However this shirtdress confection with silvery stripes appeals to me. Its a mix between an old-fashioned nightdress and a shirt borrowed from the boys. I also love the contrast between the short hemline and sleeves so long they hide the hands. Very sensual.

The round sunglasses feel so Milan Fashion Week don't they? I love the yellow tinted lenses. This dusky pink ensemble has a schoolgirl-all-grown-up vibe. It features a slouchy shirt, tucked into a low waisted pleated skirt. The strips hanging down gives the look a cool, undone look.

The main feature of this look is the dress, held up by dungaree-style straps. The fabric of the skirt hangs at different lengths. The feather embellishments add an element of glamour, softened by the basic tee worn underneath.

This top has more of a 70s vibe, with the coloured vertical stripes. I dig the high neck. The skirt is in a vibrant red snakeskin and the never-ending slit exposes the majority of the thigh, the lengthy tee protecting her modesty. 

I had to end with this look, and it was the penultimate look of the show too. I love the gothic romance of it, despite the outfit being a pair of dungarees over a white tee. Thin black lace is layered over white chantilly to give a textured, feminine look. The black stitching and gathering looks so dramatic over the white. The tassels on the straps are a nice addition.

On the accessories front, alice bands - with or without silver embellishment - were worn at the front of the hairline, giving a youthful look. The stand-out piece was the sandals, leather tasseled and feathered confections worn with toeless socks.

Overall I adored this collection, with its nightwear-inspired, oversized, sexy look. What did you think of the No. 21 show?

Images from Vogue.com
References: No. 21's Walk on the Wild Side, BoF