Corto Dreamin' - AW '09

"Corto makes me happy . . .Corto makes me happy" a chorus to a song sung by a performance "artist" years back in Venice when we were all together.

This season, the Corto bags that would make me very happy and thus I am dreaming about are: the Kryptonight bag in Panthere Chevre - I have been eyeing the Kryptonight since last season but this colourway has sealed the deal.  . . . 

Panthere Chevre Kryptonite

and the Priscilla bag (which has developed a cult following of its own) in Milky Way. . .the sparkles are reminiscent of the stars and are transfixed in a moody black deerskin.   It will be a worthy addition to my sci-fi/space themed Priscillas. . .the Darth Vader and Corto Galaxy.  A theme seems to be evident here - dark, brooding, mysterious, and inter-galactic . . . yet fun.  I love.

Milky Way Priscilla

I am waiting on my Cassette Clutch (the colour will be a surprise) which will come with Nat Sarasas as he returns to Bangkok after his European tour.  In the mean time, I shall be dreaming about the Panthere Kryptonight bag and the Milky Way Priscilla . . .(check out www.corto.com for where to buy and Corto will be introducing a special private club where you can buy on the internet very soon - will keep you posted)

ANTI-GRAVITY

A tour de force of a show by Issue where Roj and his team truly challenge the idea of gravity by taking the intergalactic space princess/prince, alien, explorer/Star Wars/Star Trek 1970's sci-fi concept to truly another level.  He defies the idea of gravity as his very coherent collection and styling was so tight to the theme  that he takes us on a galactic story to other worlds,  yet he is still honest and humble to his roots - that bohemian hippy ethnic one, complete with incense and tigers.  

First and foremost, the show was in a movie theater, the cinema as a backdrop, the first thing that greeted you were lasers, lots of smoke and a bunch of identical adroid clones to the Star Wars theme. . .then the show really started to the soundtrack of MIA's Bird Flu. . .the models in their sci-fi ethnic garb complete with little metorite hats.  

There was a taste of Leia for sure and of course Queen Nobi and Darth Vadar, Spock, Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo - all of them had little appearance.  

Smoke created an other-worldly atmosphere with the screen back drop showing planets and as the models came closer - their faces were faintly projected - like a vision of themselves, faded hardly real.

The Finale was Alien dressd a bit like an alien princess complete with flying balls rising from her head, an ultimate statement of something that defies gravity.  

Inspiring and engaging and moreover definitley conducive to "I want to BUY" . . . the little shift dresses and kaftans in "ethic geometric" design, the harem trousers and shirts.  Roj has a complete vision and is unique, his success is evidenced by his loyal following and 15+ years in the business.  I remember my first pair of Issue cargo trousers bought whilst still doing my GCSE's.  

  

Evidence of the commericial success of this AW 09 collection was that the Pop-Up shop was drained of stock by the end of the night.  I bought a little limited edition sarong scarf which is a scarf with about 9 different lives - from scarf to skirt, to dress, to turban etc.  A trip to the store is in order.

In the meantime, I have Star Wars in my head and stars in my eyes . . .Issue lets you escape and the clothes are great for escaping in. 

  

P'Roj and I

As for P'Roj, he remains one of the sweetest, most humble and genuine designers ever.  May the Force be with you.