EMPRESS - FALL/WINTER '18-'19
An ancient Greek colony later known as Constantinople, Byzantium was the setting where fragments from Middle East, North-Africa and the Mediterranean region encountered. The result was a complex, multi-ethnic society with a flourishing decorative arts and crafts culture that produced a new visual language. Traces of this can still be discovered in intricate icons, epic reliefs and the remains of ornate mosaics that depict characters in patterned silks, dye infused fabrics, magnificent jewels and dramatic drapes. Immortalized in numerous of these images, Empress Theodora, who co-ruled the Eastern Roman Empire with her husband Justinian I and enabled the Byzantine aesthetics to spread around the Mediterranean region, was the heroin of the era. With her commanding presence, she personifies the regal, yet assertive mood of this Zeus+Δione fall/winter 2018 collection, titled ‘Empress’.
The overall collection takes a turn from previous seasons. Theodora cultivated gallant attitude, opulent splendor and divine decorum with her demeanor, resulting in a look that is empowered. She is epitomized particularly in the long wool outerwear cape, decorated with embroideries reminiscent of the styles she is featured wearing in many mosaics. Blouses in this collection are made out of combination of materials to add design intrigue: knits have been mixed with silk and crepe de chine with georgette. Emphasis is on confident neckline, whilst embroideries inspired by the folklore embroidery from Episkopi decorate cuffs. Zeus+Δione signature robe style dress made of spathoto silk comes this season in new mulberry color, the lead hue for this collection. Sharp tailored blazers in blue black cool wool, combined with black silk and stripe embossed velvet, bring structure and precision.
Eveningwear is lavish yet sensual, dominated by long and lean silhouettes with a rich material vocabulary consisting of velvets, shear silks and sequins in dark tones. Accents of metallic decorate the shadowy palette, shimmering like the embroidery depicted on the hem of Theodora’s robe in the famous Basilica of San Vitale mosaic. The appearance of skin in deep necklines, strategic openings and unexpected slits add attitude to the looks. A stand out piece is a smoky black camisole style evening dress full of unexpected cuts.
The color palette is saturated with rich hues reflective of the color world of Byzantine frescos found across different corners of the Mediterranean Sea. Mulberry, sky blue, petrol blue, midnight blue, gold and silver have been matched with Zeus+Δione signature black and ivory, creating a magical mosaic of tones perfect for fall/winter season. Decadent velvet corduroy comes in mulberry and black gold whilst ivory, mulberry or sky blue yarns have been used for knitwear. Wool garments come in mystical black and midnight blue whilst jacquard in golden tones add subtle splendor to the material mix.
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Zeus+Δione signature Attiki and Ithaca bags come in new colors such as mulberry and dark brown. New detachable straps have been decoratively embroidered with gold and silver, referencing the rich visual culture of Byzantine era. These embroideries also appear on the new clutch styles that come in plush mulberry and black velvet. Jewellery collection carries the Byzantine regality of Theodora, featuring gold plated yellow flower motif earrings and necklaces, bangle bracelets with aries and lions as well as earrings embellished with embroidered flowers on mulberry and dark brown velvet.
24 сен 2018
