Cork is a precious natural product used in many areas, from the manufacture of caps, to astronautics. The cork is treated technologically also in the high fashion industry as a highly innovative product; A revolutionary patent created the first cork fabric to be used in clothing and accessories. The use of this material is particularly appreciated by a market that seeks to grow the demand for natural products. It is an abrasion-resistant fabric, waterproof, anti-stain, in short it is just great.
The designer Annalisa Queen chose the cork fabric as the predominant element and conductor of her first collection called "Contrasts". The designer has made a capsule of 12 garments all strictly with inserts and decorations made of natural cork.
The collection “Contrasts” reveals the story of a nature violated by human being, this story is shown by matching together artificial elements to natural ones. Contrapositions are mainly highlighted by using the contrast of colors, most of them are typical of a winter season but they are presented in lightweight textile ideal for summer. The shapes and cuts are clean and classic, done with innovative fabrics. The contrast is also emphasized by the harmony between artificial and natural textiles like ecological python joined to natural cork. The cork is the prevalent element in all the collection. The colors chosen by Annalisa Queen remind nature tones and each garment includes more than one color. Cooler shades of pastel colors like aqua green, powder pink or blue ice are combined and mixed in contrast with warm tones of bordeaux or orange. The collection "Contrasts" consists in daytime outfits as skirts or pants matched with tops or shirts. Evening gowns include a completely convertible red long Gala dress to Cocktail short dress. The fashion designer has also created accessories that harmonize with the collection outfits. Bags and bracelets are made with the same colors with Cork inserts.
The collection “Contrasts” proposed by Annalisa Queen is a classic with a surprise. Three outfits enriched with accessories, were chosen for exhibition at the Galerie Lafayette in Cannes during the last days of the Festival.
Maria Christina Rigano
