I was among the lucky editors who were invited to the Escada Spring/Summer 2019 show which coincided with and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the “sleeping giant” – as many editors characterized this bold heritage brand – known for strong shoulders, saturated colors, wide leg pants, and a sporty feel. This time it was equestrian-themed and extremely relevant to what fashion does right now to women; basically empowering them to shine bright and stand out both in leisure and at work.
It was definitely a collection of important fashion statements and an iconic comeback of a European brand that has been equally successful in the States. The show included A-listers in the audience – Angela Sarafyan, Nikki Reed, Ian Somerhalder, Lindsey Dupuis, Kate Bosworth, and Amber Valletta were sitting front row – all the famous bloggers taking pictures in two anniversary sets inside the venue, and a whole dream team of top models. On a rainy day, and amidst unexpected Sunday traffic, attendees managed to be there in perfect attire and the sunniest of moods. Branding was refreshed, the double-E logo felt new, and the grass on the floor distracted us a lot from the moody landscape outside.
The show took place at the iconic and prestigious Park Avenue Armory and all people working for it made sure that neither of the attendees will feel the slightest of discomfort. We were escorted to our cars under umbrellas and was asked if we enjoyed the show. Personally, I really did. I loved the saturated color combos, the confident tailored silhouettes, and the fun accessories, especially the structured purses with playful heart-shaped closures.
I also liked the roomy silhouettes combined with sneakers and the motif clashes. At work you can wear a roomy Wall Street-style blazer in lime and an oversize briefcase to hold all your paperwork and essentials. You can’t passed unnoticed like that. When off-duty, try their statement outerwear. All looks created by Global Design Director Niall Sloan were highly editorial.
We definitely need to update our wardrobe with one of these power suits and jackets. They are classics with a twist, and they mix together producing more looks than expected. The designer did extensive research on the brand archives and reinvented the signature pieces. There was even a reference to Princess Diana’s iconic looks. My favorite color combo was lime with green, that reminds me of the sweet coexistence of sorbet scoops in the same cone! The logoed applique leather coat felt also very young and playful.
Many looks had graphic allure, through either patterns or colorblocking. They had also textural allure. Quilting was an interesting detail too. As you might guess, high quality and meticulous tailoring is a signature of the brand. Most of the fabrics offer the silhouettes fluidity in a controlled manner. This is probably the definition of effortless chic!
And have you ever heard that the name of the brand came after a horse that founders Margarethe and Wolfgang Ley admired on the racetrack. Hence, all the equestrian inspiration which was an homage to the founders, especially the jockey silks and the stripes.
Dont’s forget that the original logo was created in 1989 and for 2019 it received a very smart touch-up adjusting to current aesthetics. What a fun and chic show for me to attend, and for you to learn interesting trivia from a bold chapter in fashion history!
