NYFW – David Tlale A/W 2014 collection

If David Tlale’s autumn/winter 2014 collection was a perfume, it would be the fragrance of a fresh rosewood peony. The fluency of the fabrics and the subtle touch between them moving were intersecting in a soft dance of elegance and grace, evoking a romantic sinuosity so well-made that our hungry spectator’s eyes yearned to be fed more and more.

Originally from South Africa, and with over nine years since his first collection, David understands true femininity – “materials” and “finishes” are unquestionably two words taken very seriously in every touch of his remarkable pieces.

Emerging on the catwalk was a select range of nude tones moving fragrantly in soft contrasts, accentuating the female figure in a lovely splendour. Sometimes invisible little gold sparkles came into view shaping the form of a neck; other times the fabric lingered from one shoulder, leaving behind a seductive goddess trail – all part of an enchanted mystique.

Afterwards, during a moment of transition and after the symphony increased and the rhythm of the music rose, the gowns became part of a much stronger duality that was as bold and mysterious as a black and blue sapphire Lebanese landscape. The dark organic floral details and minimal metallic embroidering flourished along the lines of the body, and the dramatic cuts of the fabrics, as well as the transparency of the silk, created a seductive yet refined silhouette to be admired.

Sardis Jaque
Photos: Esther Horvath