Obakki Spring Summer 2011: Gorgeous blurry floral prints and loose, feminine silhouettes.
The Spring Summer 2011 Obakki show was on Thursday in their Gastown store, and despite the very short notice (ahem!) it was a must-see. Obakki is one of Vancouver’s best fashion brands, and definitely the best local fashion show of the season. I’ve already written about all the cool people you can guarantee will be in attendance at their show, but it’s not only about the crowd and the venue, it is most definitely about the clothes, which are great. And this season was even better than the last. First of all, they did away with their menswear, which was the weakest link. Secondly, they moved away from the tight silhouettes (there were still a few, but thankfully less than before) and presented pieces that I felt the brand was really about: effortless, easy, beautiful, and interesting. It feels like the brand is really finding itself in terms of identity and look.
I love the twisted, knotted detailing throughout the collection.
I’ve taken a few of their campaign and catalogue images and added some comments, but this is only a small part of a lovely collection. I’ll be sure to remind you all of when it goes online in a few months, there are some killer pieces in this collection I’m hoping to get my hands on. And did I mention everything is made in Vancouver? Even a better reason to support the brand.
The dress on the left had a built in bra cup, and I love the Grecian drape.
More pretty, fluid drapes and those gorgeous washed out, blurry prints.
The perfect t-shirt (right) and sweatshirt (left.)
This black, faux-wrap dress had such an easy yet elegant shape.
There were several of these beautiful lingerie-style tent-shaped camisoles in the collection, with an asymmetrical lace trim on the neckline.
Of course no one is perfect, so I do have two things to say to Obakki: firstly, I’d love to see two or three press pieces in the show. The collection is great, but a fashion show is just that, a show, and it would be nice to see the design team go wild on a couple of showpieces. And secondly, do away with the boring indie-rock fashion videos. I’m writing a little post on those separately, check in with me later this week. Despite all this, I am so thankful for Obakki. This is the brand saving Vancouver from being the city that is known for girls who wear activewear, girls who wear Uggs, or girls who wear tight, slutty clothing. Or, I shudder, the city known for girls who wear tight slutty clothing with activewear and Ugg boots. Instead, the Obakki girls are cool and relaxed, confident in their sexiness but know they don’t need to show it off, and exactly what I’d like Vancouver girls to be known for.
