Billowing bouffants; tiered dresses, lacy and frilled; sheer fabric draped every which way. Bora Aksu’s collection was a celebration of his late mother’s life, and a confectionery delight.
Guests, sitting on benches, sunned themselves in the garden of St. Paul’s Church, which was abloom with pink and red roses, Aksu’s mother’s favorite flower.
Turkish songs, ones his mom sang to him as a child, wafted through the air as models made their descent from the church to the grounds.
Aksu has a talent for adorably doll-like clothing. There were glimpses of delicate crochet, while lace peeked from under coat dresses. Sheer, floaty skirts came with sweet blazers and peter-pan collar blouses.
He worked a muted palette of white, black and navy for those coquettish looks.
By contrast, the second half of the show was a surreal floral fantasy – but it wasn’t as pretty as the first. Pale pink and white midi- and maxi-dresses, were festooned with dramatic draping and crocheted flower appliques, another nod to his mother’s passions.
