The fluid silhouettes and signature drapes of Greek-born, Italy-based Angelos Bratis graced the catwalk of the Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week in Beijing earlier this month.
An opportunity to reach a broad new audience, the Spring/Summer 2016 show was part of efforts made by Italy’s fashion body, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, to assist its young designers to enter fresh markets.
Established in 1997, so far the Beijing event has hosted over 450 designers from more than 10 countries.
“I think it’s old news to consider nationalism in fashion. In the era of instant communication and working in a global, unique market, your roots as a designer is your DNA, but this doesn’t limit you between borders,” Angelos Bratis says.
“The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana selected an emerging Italian brand to show in China, not a Greek designer.”
As a designer born in Greece the designer has always felt connected with ancient civilisations and cultures that managed to survive and emerge in the modern world.
“China represents for me tradition, power, craft and fragility. It is also the mother of silk, a fundamental material of my work as a draper.”
“This season I cut pois on bias playing with mathematical order, geometry and arithmetic, while rhombus patterns form a structure for the draping of the garments,” Bratis explained.
“The absolution of the circle was the basis for the collection, which was cut in soft materials such as silk crepe and Alcantara with a laser cut technique.”
Within this platform of exposure he aims to turn the Chinese press lights on to his brand and hopefully attract new retailers that can carry the Angelos Bratis aesthetic to Asia and hopefully collaborate with master silk manufacturers in transforming refined antique fabrics into modern Western pieces of clothing.
Source: Kathimerini English Edition.