It had to happen in the end: the day when, despite another fun show concept, the Sunnei fashion collection would eclipse the format.
The fact that it coincided with programming collaborating with an actor from another industry says a lot about the multidisciplinary approach that founders Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina have always had, as well as their sense that Sunnei is more like a project of design than at the epicenter of fashion.
The duo took their guests to an industrial space by high-end carpet brand CC-tapis. Before kickoff, a 775-square-foot carpet was rolled out in Sunnei's signature colorful striped patterns, with some elegant shapes camouflaged into the luxurious flooring.
They vaguely resembled animals such as a frog, butterfly or hippopotamus, and outlined the silhouettes of a handful of special pieces that were included in the collection. Made from striped carpet fabric, these pieces were attached to the models' bodies using snap buttons, making them easy to remove.
Blurring the lines between fashion and home design isn't new (think Hussein Chalayan's fall 2000 “After Words” collection), but Sunnei put her own wry spin on the idea. More importantly, the pieces combined easily into a compelling collection that marked another step forward for the brand.
Textured knits stole the show with their fuzzy look and soft feel, especially in long cardigans, chunky Klein blue scarves, and a cream-colored sweater and long skirt trimmed with chunky fringe. The cozy feel was maximized in Sunnei style with giant quilted jackets that could double as duvets, while quieter options came in stylized velvet proportions.
Satin introduced a contrasting sheen to cut-out blouses and oversized shirts, adding to the collection's more formal undertone compared to the brand's signature retro-athletic vibe.
A soundtrack that included voiceovers apparently of the models' thoughts included some of the designers' typical social commentary, such as model Federico saying, “The world is on fire and we're talking about fashion? These people are so superficial. The blonde in the second row believes that her review will change the world.”
Spoiler: it is not like that.
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