Steffie Christiaens

THE DANCE OF MODERN LIFE
Modern Sufi dancer Ziya Azazi inspires this Autumn/Winter collection from Steffie christiaens.
The co- existence of both technology and spirituality within modern living reminded christiaens of the relationship between nature and civilisation and these dualities inspired how the collection evolved. Steffie christiaens has taken this concept and translated it into clothing that combines the warm and sumptuous with the cool and industrial - the round and the square. Rich bordeaux and golden caramels appear side-by-side with cool steel grey and jet black.
Contrasts also occur in the patterning - the structure of a tailored jacket is combined with draped panels. Softly rounded jackets are made out of spacer knit, thick wools and dense silk satins. The movement of the skirt of the dancer, appearing twisted at the center and furling out as the dancer turns, inspired rounded volumes, controlled at a point in the seams - chaos reaches an ending point. Fringed embroidery emphasizes the movement and square quilting patterns provide added roundness and volume. The quilting is carried through to the bags in hard leather, softly folded at the top from a square base. The geometric textile graphics represent an abstracted city plan; a city that is always moving.
Natural, organic elements are incorporated into structured, industrial accessories. The gloves mix supple leather with metallic riv- ets, leather is coupled with wood in the boots and in the jewellery sleek metal is joined with raw pyrite. The metal belts are closed with bolts, adding a bionic, technological element to twisted silk dresses.