Fashion’s Symphony: Esteban Cortazar Fall/Winter 2018 text by Valerie McPhail

Seasoned to New York’s peek a boo sunshine, Esteban Cortazar dressed his woman in shades of sunset. Just as golden yellow and ruby red permeates the sky at day’s end, so did the colors enrich the Colombian designer’s Fall/Winter 2018 show. The colors relentlessly empowered a collection of relaxed fashions – long turtlenecks, a chunky cardigan and silk dresses gently approached the runway. Nonetheless, as with a sunset, spectators were enamored.

Cortazar offered his signature by adding flare, a bohemian rhythm to the concrete structure of classic winter pieces. A wool sweater cape draped over tule and a blanket dress juxtaposed color-blocked panels of heather grey, royal blue and a black and white striped print. On a jumpsuit, the identical print played foursquare with the night’s complexion.

Overall, the designer cultivated a collection of elegantly draped pieces. Oversized scarves, spaghetti strap dresses and side slit skirts flowed with the melody of Mercedes Sosa’s “Cancion Con Todos,” the soundtrack of the show. A small sportswear moment of indigo and marigold pieces including a puff-sleeve full length dress complemented Sosa’s bold call for unification. With poetic passion her declaration, “All voices, all, All hands, all, All the blood can be a song in the wind” reflects a harmony found in his collection. All colors and all prints: fashion’s symphony came together beautifully.

Valerie McPhail

Valerie McPhail is a New York-based writer on things of style and artistic expression. She has a portfolio of writing for both fashion and art publications. Although she enjoys covering fashion news and supporting new designers, her favorite subject to explore is the experience of fashion and how life is communicated through clothing. She believes there is a lot to be said about this.