Collado Garcia (On|Off) fuk@lfw s/s 06

Showing at the Royal Academy, Spanish label Collado Garcia took the audience on high speed global gallop. From the tropical rainforests and ruins of Mexico to the dusty Sahara via the legends of ancient Mediterranean culture, this was around the world in 40 outfits.

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn's character Rima in the cult movie Green Mansions, and Saharan legionnaires, the boys sent out tailored pieces whose construction gave a nod to angular Mayan terraced pyramids. Belted trenches came out in herringbone wools and silks and frescoes from the ruins of Teotihuacan are ranslated into matt coral and turquoise beading on belts and bags and accents.

Contrasting with these more structured elements there are viscose jersey tops with heavily draped cowled necks which form hoods voluminous enough to keep even the most tenacious jungle mossies or desert sandstorms at bay.

Cleverest use of fabric however went to the softly cut polka dotted chiffons which, while nice on skirts and dresses, came into their unexpected own when used to create cute, if somewhat see-through airforce-style jumpsuits and tiny shirts. Fortunately, the models were also equipped with standard issue Swarovski beaded bikini bottoms ensuring great style and preserved modesty no matter the demands of life in the front line.

Words: Maia Adams. Photos: David Jones.