The Happy Andrada AW17 collection, showcased at the stunning London Freemason’s Hall by Fashion Scout, was a contemporary collection based upon a celebration of organic tribal culture and ancient tradition, utilised in contemporary silhouettes and intricate hand-crafting.
There was a distinctive tribal aesthetic surrounding the collection, with intricate fringing beautiful hand-embroidery, embossed surfaces and powerful and raw mohawk-style hair and accessories. Set to an ambient soundscape of tribal drumming, the collection reflected the designers vision of moving away from the otherwise cyber-modern and futuristic feel of the other shows at London Fashion Week.
It was a collection that sung an ode to the ethnic, Philipino heritage of the designer Happy Andrada and her organic approach to fashion design. With a gentle femininity in her garments, woven in by her previous experience in wedding gown and couture design, the element of traditional craft was included in the intricately embroidered garments and ornate accessories and detailing.
Using locally-sourced Philipino materials and focusing on ornate over-detailing to press forward the element of Tribalism, the garments were predominantly in a deep palette with natural hues and dyes. Using colours that could be associated with naturality and human essence, Andrada pushes forward the presence and power of the tribal woman through assertive stance and accessories. Using traditional methods the models were dressed in the image of authority and culture, each of them eluding a presence of Matriarchal power, but tribal togetherness.
A graduate collection that is sure to catch some eyes. You can view the collection on the Happy Andrada website at www.happyandradaweddings.com.
