NYFW Runway Report: Verrier Gives Imperial Russia a Sexy Twist

Designer Ashleigh Verrier was inspired by imperial Russia for the Verrier fall/winter €™08 collection, aptly titled Titled €œFabergé Bohemian,€� which incorporated the opulence of this period with the simplicity of the peasant lifestyle. Staying true to the signature ultra-femme pieces, heavy on the lace and frills, slightly edgy, Verrier style, this collection was both whimsical and restrained, drawing from an array of disparate elements and bringing them together seamlessly. Ashleigh took visual cues from Peter Fabergé- esteemed jeweler to the Russian court, for a collection that was delicate and glamorously embellished contrasted with a bohemian twist extracted from 19th-century Russian folk silhouettes. The looks paid tribute to Peter€™s dazzling designs and impulse to adorn with bows, delicate pleats, hand stitched Swarovski details, velvet trims and crowns of crystals. However, don€™t let the ancient Russian influence fool you- the pieces were updated for the modern woman and injected with flirty playfulness- with sheer fabrics, spectrum of pretty pinks, streamlined silhouettes, tiered petal skirts, and plain peasant blouses livened up with Swarovski crystals. This collection really illustrated the power of fashion- whereby beauty, grace, and elegance can be extracted from the most unlikely of sources and styles that pervaded over a century ago can be re-formulated for modern life.

Stylehive Scorecard
Color Palette: Chocolate Brown, Pink, Blush, Magenta, Navy, Coal, Frost
Cuts/Styles: Cinched Waists, Imperial Coats, Peasant Blouses and Dresses, Floral Prints, Hand Stitched Embroidery.