Koi Suwannagate Fall 2008 – New York Fashion Week Review

Thailand-born, L.A.-based designer Koi Suwannagate had her debut runway show at Bumble and bumble on Feb. 5. The colors and contours of the natural world informed this collection to beautiful effect. Suwannagate brought an artisanal, hand-made quality to her creations, which were each meticulously crafted and one-of-a-kind. Oranges, blues, and warm earth tones dominated, as the models walked to the accompaniment of forest sounds. Cashmere and silk were her primary materials, adorned with flowers and hummingbirds taking flight. “I pictured a lush forest and lake setting with colorful hummingbirds as a true sanctuary,” she explained in describing her inspiration for her fall 2008 collection.

While this was Suwannagate’s first runway show, she is far from a fashion novice. Recently, she garnered much attention for the sculpted rose designs she contributed to 3.1 Phillip Lim’s spring 2007 collection. Her dresses have been worn by Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, Kirsten Dunst, Oprah Winfrey and Christina Ricci. Viewing her latest collection, it is easy to see why such prominent women have been drawn to her clothing. These clearly comfortable sweaters, vests, and dresses, while never losing sight of their functional purpose, are aesthetically pleasing, their curves flattering their wearer’s natural shapes. The collision and harmony of contrasting shapes and lines also hold much visual interest, proving Koi Suwannagate to be a major talent who will undoubtedly be a fascinating designer to watch.

Photos: Koi Suwannagate Fall 2008
all photos by Christopher Bourne / Meniscus Magazine