N°21’s recent fashion show was a tribute to the Italian filmography of the 1960s, drawing inspiration from the husky voice of Monica Vitti in Antonioni’s “Deserto Rosso” and the sultry allure of Jeanne Moreau in “La Notte“. Alessandro Dell’Acqua was drawn to the twisted elegance of the bourgeoisie in that era, where the appearance of propriety masked a complex underbelly of emotional turmoil and secret desires.
Dell’Acqua took a tongue-in-cheek approach to the traditional codes of bon-ton style, flipping them on their head. Cashmere twinsets were worn backward, strings of pearls were hidden under layers of black chiffon, and a body-skimming dress was created by layering two slips, one of which was left casually askew. Opera coats in masculine wool with schoolgirl velvet collars were given a daring twist with concealed zippers that revealed bare skin, while crystal-studded brooches in the shape of scorpions were used to fasten Shetland cardigans paired with pencil skirts.
The Fall/Winter 2023 collection was a concise and alluring critique of the bourgeoisie’s tired clichés, offering a new sense of elegance for the modern era. Dell’Acqua is a designer who values fashion that is both real and wearable, offering his audience a range of appealing choices. In his own words, “Let’s finally talk about clothes”, as he looks to push fashion forward and make a statement about the importance of style.
©N°21
