Friday, June 17, 2016

Osklen, Brazil's First Global Luxury Brand

No result found, try new keyword! So one would assume that the big, domestic brands would treat Brazil’s own consumers as a priority. Not Osklen, the sought-after maker of sportswear founded in 1989 by the orthopaedic physician Oskar Metsavaht. A big buyer would move fast to make the ...

Osklen Spring 2012: The Royal Black Collection

SAO PAULO--Osklen's spring 2012 was easily one of the standout shows of Sao Paulo fashion week. While Osklen has a US presence, and a store on Wooster Street in SoHo, I didn't know much about the brand until I saw their show this past week. Their show show made me want to know more--and buy their clothes.
The label's got a real urban sensibility--clean, simple yet sophisticated silhouettes in luxe materials--so their brick-and-mortar location on Wooster makes perfect sense. For spring, Osklen paid homage to African culture in Brazil, hence the title of the show: the Royal Black Collection. While Sao Paulo fashion week mandates that at least 10% of the models in each show are black, Osklen's show opened with seven black models.
The collection was elegant and flowing and comfortable. Looks done in natural fabrics (maxi skirts looked made of burlap or hemp) were balanced with metallic golden shades or patterns woven in silver and gold. Delicate scooped necklines on cropped tops and jumpers showed off collarbones. It was easy to want just about everything that came down the runway if it weren't so damn expensive--everything but the Pirarucu leather one-piece (it's made from a fish).
**All photos: © Agência Fotosite/Zé Takahashi via FFW.com.br
*My travel and accommodations for Sao Paulo fashion week, courtesy ABEST (Associação Brasileira de Estilistas).

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