Died and Gone to Eden!

In the exquisite surroundings of Carlton House Terrace, Jiri Kalfar confirmed a notion I had long-suspected: romance, in fashion, is not dead!

Alas, it was not from romance that he drew his inspiration, but from the paradise of the once-cherished, but now abused, Garden of Eden - a metaphor for our planet. Drawing from his background as a ballet dancer, Kalfar’s AW20 show paid equal homage to British choreographer, Wayne McGregor’s “Eden Eden” show, which premiered in Stuttgart in 2005. Jiri channelled this emotional performance into his highly decorative, joyous and feminine collection.

Catwalk Close-Ups

First up, frothy pinks and floral prints in flowing, feminine silhouettes were adorned with embroidered rosebuds, frills and lace appliqués in a hand-finished, haute couture style that thrilled a magpie maximalist like me!

Dark Arts

There followed another magpie-pleasing array of looks, for both men and women, that sparkled with the promise of sumptuously glamorous evenings in impossibly luxe locations. Harlequin sequinned skirts and dresses retained an element of the pale, blush pink, but were dominated by rich, peacock blue and gold, while delicate, floral embroidery was scattered across male and female ‘blouses’ alike, trimmed and sleeved in lace.

Earthly, Demi-Couture Delights

Verdant greens, soft neutrals and earthy-golden prints closed the show, reflecting the flora and fauna of exotic gardens. Jiri creates a sustainable, yet fun-filled collection with a selection of ethical fabrics such as cruelty-free, Buddhist peace silk, upcycled pieces and organically dyed material.

Final Walk | Watch the Whole Collection in Motion!

Huge thanks to Dyelog PR for inviting me to the show and after party! It was a delight to meet and mingle with some of Jiri’s supporters, friends and family.

What are your thoughts on sustainability in fashion? Could the industry be doing more? Share a thought in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Nx