Danish fashion designer Cecilie Bahnsen has made her heralded Paris Fashion Week debut, which kicked off earlier this week and runs until October 6.
To make her mark on one of the fashion world’s biggest stages, Bahnsen virtually-delivered an eco-friendly and sustainable Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2021 range filled with delicately 3D embroidered dresses and silhouettes inspired by nature, unity, and hope.
The pieces in the range pull inspiration from famed photographer Hashimoto Shoko’s black and white photography about Goze (visually impaired women who walk through villages) and James Turrell’s installations that feature bold pops of electric pink and glaring green. Her mood board also includes a painting that depicts women walking on the beach in the town of Skagen done by Danish artist P.S. Krøyer.
The collection traditionally consists of voluminous, romantic dresses, while the main fabric spotlighted throughout the RTW SS21 collection is a sequin embroidery sourced from Switzerland. This fabrication translates Bahnsen’s message perfectly as it is an airy and light 3D texture that flows effortlessly through the wind.
Elsewhere, Bahnsen and her team created floral embroidered organza overlays that added a contrasting element to the hand-stitched detailing, as well as the shimmering flower beads. Seasonal essentials such as cashmere knits and jackets combined with organza, transparent raincoats, and long vests with appliques were also featured in the collection, all of which have been fabricated out of recycled materials.
In terms of colour, the layered textures are offered up in contrasting black or white monochrome, with additional pops of hot pink and green that draw on the otherworldly installations of Turrell.
Some of the standout items in the range include Bahnsen’s signature open-back dress, which has been re-worked with circular cut-outs tied on each side of the back with a bow. Perfectly tailored hero outerwear items done in collaboration with Scottish heritage brand Mackintosh, such as the trapeze silhouette and balloon sleeved trench coat, are also worth noting. Finally, footwear has also been included in the range. The modern minimal slipper done in partnership with Spanish brand Hereu, crafted out of fabric made from plastic waste, is also a conversation starter.
Following her Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2021 collection, Bahnsen aims to continue with her label’s sustainability ethos by moving towards a zero-waste business model. Her label will only produce two main collections a year and will create limited releases in-between using 100% upcycled fabrics.
All images in this article are courtesy of Cecilie Bahnsen.
