A synthesis of lines and volumes inspired by renowned graphics and design, skilfully blended with photographic rigour and reference to pop icons, against the background of 1960s free expression, is what lies behind the new Autumn/Winter 2010/11 Davines Collection. A collection that declares its elegantly impudent style starting from its name “Quiff”, chosen by its creator, Tim Hartley, in collaboration with Brian Suhr. It is precisely the element of the fringe, inspired by the shapes of Serge Mouille’s curvilinear lacquered lamps, which is the fulcrum around which the different lengths and variants in cuts are arranged, redefined by the graphics-inspired geometric shapes and colours of Saul Bass.
We begin with a short cut with lateral commas that frame the face, and a symmetrical curved fringe underlined by a cherry-red flash, which reinterprets the minimalism of Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick with all the chromatic potency of Pop Art. The characteristic of the medium cut is rigour, in a stylistic memento of Patti Smith, where the markedly horizontal fringe ends up virtually covering the eyes, while the curved line defines the perimeter with movement at the back, on top of a dark base that confers depth, emboldened by a deep blue. The long cut goes even further by subverting the play of proportions, combining a composite fringe with an oversize length and steering the chromatic choice towards bright coppery shades to recall the stylistic revolution of Jane Birkin.
The end result is a dazzling, many-sided vision in the different styling proposals for each cut, dedicated to a strong-willed, steadfast woman, enhanced by a formally rigorous visual style determined by strong contrasts of light and strict geometry, and inspired by the photography of Herb Ritts and the world of cinema, to make a woman outright master of her own destiny.
A vision utterly lacking in nostalgic connotations, that embraces the revolutionary valence of changes to look to the future through images and material of striking effect, ready to amaze the client with proposals of an unquestionably expressive power.
