Chris Diaz: Armored opulence
Fierce yet feminine, Chris Diaz’s Holiday 2011 collection was a glimpse into the late Middle Ages, albeit a glamorous version. Echoing a period of pious saints, chivalrous knights and kingdoms at war, the pieces were carefully constructed with armor, suggesting a medieval stage, unique and well received by spectators who craved something off the beaten path.
Metallic bodysuits with painstakingly embellished trims and floor-length satin gowns with accompanying cape-like trains echoed a past loaded with regal resplendence and drama. Formal wear featured breast plates as a modern take on armor, made of elaborate handmade floral ornamentation or luxurious fur over body-hugging long-sleeve jersey tops. Slim A-line skirts in jacquard damasks and chiffon and crepe de chine dresses were captivating, sensual and exuded a sense of richness.
The hues used were predominantly ones found during dusk and dawn. The collection of linear and vertical silhouettes was teeming with midnight blue, dove gray, chocolate brown, bold bronze, glittering gold and rust.
Accessories like prominent and ornately beaded bib necklaces were a memorable part of the collection. Gauntlets and chainmail coifs were showcased throughout the show. The finale was a fantastic Marina Benipayo in a golden floral-encrusted gown doing a theatrical rendition inspired by controversial Saint Wilgefortis, the daughter of a pagan Portuguese king who resisted an arranged marriage and grew a beard before being crucified. A spectacular ending to a phenomenal show.
