For the Love of Friendship and Fashion: Jiri Kalfar Fall 2019

 

 

Jiri Kalfar is glowing.

The designer journeyed from Czech, where each garment was constructed, to New York to debut his runway show this season. Surrounding himself with  the company of model friends he met on Instagram, Paulina Porizkova, Linda Voitova, and Alina Baikova, similarly, Czech, showed their support and walked his runway.

Dressed in cherry red tulle, royal blue silk, and creme lace, the models brought warmth and personality to Kalfar’s collection, a wardrobe inspired by the heroine of Alexander Pushkin’s ‘Eugene Onegin.’ The novel, later popularized as an opera tells of a female’s prerogative towards love. As the story plays out, Tatyana, the protagonist, rejects her suitor, a childhood love, later in life and decides to stay faithful to her husband, the Prince of St. Petersburg.

Related vibrations of womanhood and female agency translated on the designer’s runway. A brocade pencil skirt paired to a burgundy brocade printed jacket of the same velvet fabric, and in another look, a flowered patterned crystal net blouse, with silk and lace sleeves styled with pant, created fluid conversation between formal womenswear and bohemian sensibility. These are the characters in the designer’s story. Collaborations with Tonak to accessorize cheetah printed newsboy hats, and a close friend from a local crystal supplier Preciosa allied on the designs of the crystal tops, and cape. The partnerships furthered interest in patriotism.

So why show in New York?

Kalfar says, “It has been my lifelong dream to show in New York.” The representation of Kelly Cutrone, People’s Revolution will support his fashion presence. Cutrone has a knack for gathering people with a united vision and fostering a positive fashion community. More camaraderie followed into the night as the space needed to flip for the next show: fellow ballet dancer, Hogan McLaughlin.

The sun rises on a new day in fashion and shines on Jiri Kalfar.

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.