PHOTO: Croatian Designers Save The Day!

Conceptual art. Fashion, music and dancing have resounded on the “no catwalk” of the Cro a Porter Limited Edition fashion show. Matija Vuica has presented her collection, after being away for a season, along with the launch of  her new album “Krv nije voda”. In the background of Victorian style creations, mystic and liquid, soft and vamp at the same time, there were the singing designer, her group Gracija and the Zagreb Philharmonic orchestra, St. Marko`s Church choir and their accompanying band Flashback.

Linea Exclusive has thrilled the audience by handing things over to the younger generations, as Danijela Car handed the reins to her daughter Irina, who has created a black and white collection. It was brilliant with coats which follow the pace of a modern woman who dresses in a hurry with silver metal zippers. At the same time, her rigid clean lines broke down the dresses with integrated draperies. That Givenchy scent was a pleasure to feel on Cro a Porter`s runway.

Tihomir Krznaric has presented his sweetness in knitting signature. Boleros, coats with a high dosage of French chic were ornamented with colourful applied flowers to additionally cheer up winter time.

However, Sonia Fortuna`s show was a slight underachievement, as an example and encouragement to Croatian designers, as well as the audience, that what is displayed at Milan Fashion Week is just a slight and uncreative inspiration with the 1970s. Perhaps the organisers have served these creations to probe how wonderful Croatian design was and that this little country was decades in front of the 70s and little suits a la Coco Chanel, which have opened Fortuna`s fashion show.

Ani Ani has presented her second collection at Cro a Porter in her romantic vintage style, which she cherishes so much, creating pleats with intriguing overlapping features on trousers.

However, the entire fashion event ended in a fiasco of dancing and a performance by Ivona Martinko, while things were expected from her, as always. The master of construction, like Yamamoto, as well as wild like Rei Kawakubo, Ivona has introduced grey and red to her sure shot black world.

Intriguing fastening, freedom of movement, architecture on the clothes, knitting, a moment when classic boleros become dresses… All this made the audience resound with applause. Ivona has expanded her range with handbags, signed by sculptor Slaven Milic. In the end of Ivana`s whole liberation from confection, creativity and uniqueness, we wonder, is it worth waiting in line for Comme de Garcons` capsule collection at H&M?

Take a look at the attached photo gallery.