Photography by Rebekah Reiko
What does an all-black everything urban nomad wear when winter breaks and the sun starts shining? Answer: the edgy-yet-feminine designs of Lala Berlin.
Germany-based designer Leyla Piedayesh presented a spring 2012 collection, called “New Age Phosphor,” where opposites collided. Chunky knitwear, smooth neoprene, printed silk, soft suede, heather grey jersey, tinted acetate and matte lacquered steel all collided on the runway where light and airy pieces were starkly juxtaposed with hard-edged, tailored designs. Silk was printed with both watery pastels in sky blue, pale lilac and sea foam green hues or dark kaleidoscopic gem prints. Piedayesh also played with lengths and flowing floor length shirtdresses were shown alongside sharply tailored pleated shorts and sleeveless blazers.
The collision of opposites didn’t end there as Piedayesh paired with luxury German footwear label Unützer to create modish suede and patent knee-high boots, sandals and ankle boots with tinted acetate cutout panels. A collaboration with jewellery manufacturer CHRIST resulted in T-bar necklaces and statement bracelets featuring outsized stars and hearts in the aforementioned matte lacquered steel on models sporting iridescent makeup and sleek ponytails with single braids along each side.
While wearable is often seen as a four-letter word in fashion, Piedayesh presented a stylish collection that transcended age, size and sartorial leaning — there was truly something for everyone to be found in this collection.
