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The king of drapes

Gary Bigeni at RAFW SS11

By Kat George, 06 May 2010

Gary Bigeni presented impeccable drapery (a word that will appear many a time in this brief review) at RAFW- as always. And yet, there was something different this time. The quality and craftsmanship remained, but there was structure added in the form of tailored pants and blazers. Still soft, cloud-like and breezy, Gary Bigeni's summer collection was futuristic, and somehow (and this is the Gary Bigeni enigma) completely clean and sharp despite the dramatic folding drapery, knots and layers. It was an idyllically imagined future utopia.

My favourite pieces included a jersey, draping collared shirt and a lilac draped top paired with a tangerine leather mini skirt. The creamy pastel palette reminded me of rolling clouds and beautiful silence- a dreamy state of existence. Other key pieces included slouch pants or shorts with draped tops and draped dresses with leather belts worked in to cinch the waist at the front, leaving the back to blouson. Feather light knits were incorporated in the form of voluminous capes while leather also featured in the form of a tangerine blazer.