BLACK COFFEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
ABOUT THE SHOW:
"Counterpoint is a body of work that consciously re-engineers the aesthetic convention and function of the coat. The powdery romanticism of the palette and the unassuming comfort of the textiles find a counterpoint in the segmented construction of these inspired garments." [Black Coffee]
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Black Coffee [run by South Africa's Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen] put on quite the show at the Arise Collective yesterday, albeit somewhat of an incomplete show. Themed "Counterpoint" [i.e. to emphasize by contrast], the focus was on outerwear and featured cocoon-like long jackets brought to life through spectacular pleats, ruffles, and layers, and held in place with simple hooks for utility sake. There seemed to be a transition also - from the fairly basic to the more structured, resulting in a full circle bloom of craft and layers. The color palette was kept muted and featured grays, powder blues, and peaches with a touch of taupe and brown. For Black Coffee, the era of the statement coat is well upon us and requires minimal fuss - a simple dress, vintage pumps and gloves, and oversize Africa-inspired earrings should do just fine for the 21st century woman who appreciates a dose of glamor every now and again. Here are the pieces up close and personal [click "continue reading" below to see the entire post]:
a. A transition from cocoon shapes to more structured pieces
