Antonio Berardi relaxed the vice-like grip he has traditionally held on a woman’s waist and curves, and instead showed a collection full of lightness and romance.
The designer said this new direction was a reaction to the worrying events he sees unfolding on the global stage. “We live in a time when there’s a lot of heavy things going on and I think we need to calm down and breathe. I wanted those clothes to breathe as well,” he explained.
A devoré full skirt and mohair sweater in vanilla tones may not have been the most directional of ensembles, but it felt significant all the same.
Berardi used flouncy fabrics such as organza and taffeta for dreamy dresses, including one blush silk gown with encrusted crystals and a sheer train at the back. Berardi’s hourglass shapes were still present. A couple of bonecrushing dresses in a vibrant floral jacquard offered pure Berardi va-va-voom.