#millecollines

(images via sdr photo)

okay, so i'm going to admit i frankly don't understand here.  based out of barcelona, the fashion label mille collines shares a name with the rwandan hotel mille collines, where the clothing line actually began back in 2009.  i'm not clear whether there is more of a connection, as according to the label's bio page, the country (and greater africa in general) inspires and shapes everything they do. anyway, most of the information i was able to find under the name turned up about the hotel, but we'll do the best we can, though mostly in the dark here, then.

so.  presenting their s/s 2013 collection at johannesburg's south african fashion week (or something like that name), the blog shadders helped clarify some background in explaining that the brand "was born when two Spanish designers, Marc Oliver and Inés Cuatrecasas, created a collection inspired by a Rwandan woman.  The brand reflects Africa’s strength and sensibility with attention to detail and handmade finishes."

meanwhile, in their analysis of the rwandan designers affiliated with safw, the new times rwanda also reported that mille collines' work was inspired by the country. "Mille Collines showcased casual and evening long-gowns, beautiful short cocktail dresses, pants and jackets," they wrote, adding that the pieces "are created from locally-sourced raw materials like sisal, leather and quality imported fabrics together with local kitenge."

working in a palette that, to me, at least, felt more autumnal than it did summery (including plenty of ocher, black, white, slate gray, beige, and rust), the designers opted for geometric embellishments and prints with triangles and rectangles that alternately felt a little art deco/twenties, or, perhaps, like those collections that have been inspired by ancient egypt (particularly when they focused on decorating the necklines of the blouses and dresses--i'm thinking of the topshop unique s/s 2012 and minimarket s/s 2012 shows), though undoubtedly this was less kitsch and more lovely.

but even with the embellishments, i'd say on the whole, the collection was a lot quieter than one might expect, even to the point that some of the pieces were hovering somewhere around minimalist works.  there was a lot of fancy draping and pleating, giving some rather simple shifts, jumpsuits, and skirts enough fine detail to keep them interesting, and yet allow them an extreme versatility.