March 23, 2006

Fashion Week Dispatch: Juan Carlos Obando (L.A.)

Last season Juan Carlos Obando counted Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "100 Years of Solitude" as his inspiration. This season, the designer noted three influences—contemporary artist Matthew Barney, sci-fi writer Phillip K. Dick and music video director Chris Cunningham. For Obando, narrative is key to his process. "Clothes are clothes," he says. "The only difference between a $10 t-shirt and a $100 t-shirt is the story that comes with it." In that case, Obando shows he has stories to spare, his latest collection even more impressive than his last. Realized and well-edited in a basic palette of black, gun metal, silver, red and ivory, Obando wowed with hand-pleated dresses in crushed georgette with wide wool-leather belts; a handful of lush cropped wool-cashmere jackets with oversized lapels; body-skimming wool cashmere jersey dresses with sashes that wrap around and around to create an obi effect; plus expert accessorizing — Obando designs everything — from fierce knee-high boots to red goat skin gloves. jcobando.com

March 23, 2006 in FASHION WEEK: LOS ANGELES | Permalink

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