Scene setting: After several seasons of showing in off-beat venues like a high school rooftop, a basement swimming pool and last season's dramatic public courtyard, Area graduated to the main stage of Spring Studios this season – a sure indication of how the label has matured. In spite of the grown up setting, the label remained true to its streetwise roots by carving out the white box space with fringe-like curtains made from threads of rhinestones, a nod to the tone of the show, which examined the concept of adornment.
Mood board: Tailoring was a focus of S/S 2020 for designers Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk. Translated in Area's terms, this meant broad-shouldered suit jackets, sky high hems on structured mini skirts, puff shouldered details on blouses and jackets as well as bold ruching on evening gowns and dresses.
Finishing touches: The idea of embellishment was essential to the collection, and its founders took inspiration from everything from the name plate necklace, pioneered by African Americans in the Eighties and Nineties as a form of individuality, to Victorian adornment like armour and wire sculptures. More than anything, the newest collection found provocation in its abundance use of crystal face jewellery, which included nose rings, fringed masks and intricate headpieces. Complemented by oversized earrings, architectural body harnesses and belts, jewel-encrusted chokers and an abundance of gold nameplate necklaces bearing the word ‘area' translated in multiple languages, these pieces are not for shrinking violets.
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Year in review: top 10 furniture launches of 2024, as selected by Wallpaper* global design director Hugo MacdonaldThe furniture launches that wowed global design director Hugo Macdonald this year
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Unboxing beauty products from 2024, as seen on the pages of Wallpaper*Wallpaper's 2024 beauty picks included Chanel lipstick, Bottega Veneta perfume and solid soap from the likes of Aesop, Celine, Diptyque, Hermès and Sisley
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The cosiest alpine retreats to book in EuropeBrowse the Wallpaper* edit of European alpine retreats where to fully embrace the ski season
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Sarah Moon brings painterly fashion and dark fantasy to Fotografiska New YorkOctogenarian French photographer and filmmaker Sarah Moon shows 30 years of work at Fotografiska New York – spanning fashion and fantasy, mystery and the macabre, it’s dark, painterly and compelling
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‘In America: A Lexicon of American Fashion' is coming to The MetThe first of a two-part, year-long extravaganza, ‘In America: A Lexicon of American Fashion’ is organised into 12 sections that seek to define the emotional qualities in American style
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Saint Laurent celebrates 40 years of Memphis GroupMemphis Group's milestone birthday is celebrated with a series of colourful furniture installations across the French maison's concept boutiques
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‘A place for the eye to pause’: Ulla Johnson unveils New York HQThe Manhattan-born fashion designer opens a warmly-hued style sanctuary, created in collaboration with architect Rafael de Cárdenas
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Es Devlin-designed time-travelling exhibition opens at The Met’s Costume Institute‘Our aim is to communicate the phenomenon of time as it is expressed through the female form,’ says Devlin of the exhibition she has designed alongside curator Andrew Bolton
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Theory A/W 2020 New York Fashion Week Women’s -
Michael Kors A/W 2020 New York Fashion Week Women’s -
Gabriela Hearst A/W 2020 New York Fashion Week Women’s
