ILJA COUTURE – Spring/Summer 2016

ILJA Couture - Spring/Summer 2016

February 3, 2016

By Lynn Quanjel

Photos by Peter Stigter

Paris, France – Natural meets sculptural in the Spring/Summer 2016 couture collection of Ilja Visser. In it she finds inspiration in the skin’s softness. In an interview she explained this might be her strongest season yet and describes her latest work as “sophisticated comfort. graphic. sculptural”. This is a very interesting combination that has resulted in a gorgeous collection.

ILJA COUTURE – Spring/Summer 2016

Ilja redefines the classic feminine image by combining it with sculptural and geometrical shapes. She makes a contrast between colors, shapes and textures a returning motive. While watching the designs walk down the runway, we are able to spot lots of flowing organza, crêpe de chine and hand-woven jacquard. These are symbols for the vulnerability of the skin, as well as for the thickness of skin on a more cellular level.

The dominate colors of the collection are apricot, white, blush pink and lilac, which represent the many tints that skin colors can have. Every now and then some brighter green & orange color accents popped up to create a bright and beautiful contrast against the pastels. Important motives for this cohesive collection are the long asymmetrical trails, the layering of different materials and colors, sculptural vests and large ruffles attached to the designs.

Other eye catchers from this the presentation are the shoes: white leather booties with chunky plastic platform heels with metallic colors. These shoes are clearly designed with the theme of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection in mind, as it once again shows a contrast between soft femininity and sculptural hardness.

In order to let the full attention go to the outfits, Visser chose for slicked down wet-look hairdo’s and natural make-up by applying a slight highlight on the eyelids with a bronzed shimmer.

The new couture collection by Ilja Visser is a beautiful assembly of silky fluidity and modern dynamics: designs for the independent woman who is perfectly comfortable in her own skin. And she is not afraid to show it.