10 FAULTless Collections from Armenia’s First Yerevan Fashion Week
10 FAULTless Collections from Armenia’s First Yerevan Fashion Week
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Yerevan Fashion Week in Armenia. Although I arrived without many expectations, I was utterly impressed by the remarkable talent, warm hospitality, and impeccable craftsmanship showcased throughout my stay. While Armenia’s presence on the global fashion stage is still in the development stage, we can confidently assert that they possess the potential to emerge as a formidable force in the global fashion industry, provided budding talent receive the necessary investment.
Attending Yerevan Fashion Week both in my capacity of Fashion Scout Jury Member (which you can read about soon) and to explore the works of established designers – here we will highlight the 10 FAULTLess designers that blew us with their collections. Enjoy.
Yerevan Fashion Week Editor’s Picks:
Armine Ohanyan Paris
Armine Ohanyan Paris brought a captivating blend of strong trench tailoring and futuristic aesthetics to the runway at Yerevan Fashion Week. The collection showcased the designer’s expertise in simple silhouettes and creative design choices, with a striking paint splatter motif running throughout. The black kimono-inspired looks and body suits added an edgy touch, while the standout piece, a see-through trench coat, would surely make Patrick Bateman swoon.
It was the bold patterns and club culture influence made a strong impact, transporting us to the vibrant atmosphere of a Berlin club scene. Strong bomber jackets added an extra layer of attitude to the ensembles and the shimmering vest and gladiator skirt was truly FAULTless.
The designer embraces sustainable practices by using leftover stocks of materials from luxury brands and collaborating with artists and craftsmen for limited edition capsule collections – the collection showcased a futuristic vision that challenges norms and hopes to inspire us to shape a better future.
Kivera Naynomis
In a mesmerising display on a smoke-laden catwalk, designer Arevik Simonyan made a bold statement with this latest collection. Amidst the haze, the clothes themselves rose to the occasion, boasting strength and allure. Throughout the show, Christian symbolism infused the designs, adding an intriguing dimension to the garments.
The runway showcased a variety of attention-grabbing pieces, including bejewelled sheer dresses and bodysuits. These striking ensembles arrested attention and left a lasting impression. The collection also revealed a more understated side, featuring muted hooded gowns and impeccably tailored menswear suits which demonstrated the designers’ mastery of her craft.
Following the unveiling of her “Roots” collection during Milan Fashion Week, Kivera Naynomis had much to prove, however, on home turf and with a collection inspired by Armenian culture, she exceeded expectations and showcased her elevated design prowess, delivering a collection that will be remembered.
Platon FF
While Platon FF featured both womenswear and menswear, they truly came alive with their menswear looks.
The menswear ensembles featured heavy woollen jackets, patterned full looks, as well as printed shirts and long line jackets. These combinations quickly became fan favorites, showcasing the brand’s attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship. The minimal yet expertly crafted grey jacket and shorts combo added a touch of sophistication to the collection. Additionally, the quadruple pocketed overcoat and double-breasted jacket stood out as stylish and versatile wardrobe staples.
Founded in 2016, Platon FF is a brand that prides itself on introducing products that meet European fashion standards to the Armenian market. The collection presented at Yerevan Fashion Week was a collaboration between Armenian designer Erica Chilingaryan and the Italian design studio “Ozio Piccolo Studio Tessile.”
Platon FF’s collection at Yerevan Fashion Week demonstrated their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and their ability and while the styles kept to European aesthetics, Armenia was certainly at the heart of the collection.
HGP
Yerevan Fashion Week took a playful turn with Hagop Shahinian’s HGP collection. From the very beginning, it was clear that this collection was all about embracing the joy of fashion. The show kicked off with a bang, featuring a cropped bold red shirt that set the tone for the exciting pieces to follow.
Throughout the collection, playful and bold motifs took centre stage. From a delightful blue flower printed shirt to whimsical crayon-illustrated patterned dresses, each piece exuded a sense of joy and vibrancy. Even the more subdued items, like the blue outer jacket and contrasting striped multicoloured jackets, added a touch of boldness while remaining accessible.
While the collection was centred around colour, there were also nods to noir looks. A suit, casual trousers, and a casual mesh shirt showcased the designer’s versatility. Speaking of mesh, one of the standout pieces was a mesh dress, which, although somewhat out of place in the show, captured attention and became a personal FAULT favourite.
Seda Manukyan | By ATEX
Seda Manukyan showcased a captivating all-black collection at Yerevan Fashion Week, the show commenced with a captivating fashion film that set the tone for the post-apocalyptic vibe of the collection.
The diverse collection featured tunics, knit vest looks and oversized tasseled cardigans. Stealing the show was a high-neck pinafore dress adorned with metal ornaments, complemented by leather boots. The collection’s focus on menswear was evident, but the sheer high neck dress, accentuated by a large leather belt and trousers womenswear look added a touch of femininity to the presentation. Entitled “Black Phantom,” the collection might seem ominous but styled correctly, I found it exuded a confident sophistication perfect for any season.
Volta
Volta, a guest designer at Yerevan Fashion Week, captivated the audience with their innovative and shimmering creations. Missak HajiAvedikian, the visionary behind Volta, draws inspiration from the world’s fashion capitals and infuses his collections with a touch of fantasy and contemporary femininity.
One standout piece was the metallic pleated poncho dress, while metallic pleated dressed are nothing new, Volta’s poncho cut and shimmering colour scheme made for a unique take. Volta showcased glittering trousers paired with an attention-grabbing bomber jacket, as well as a cropped jacket with a striking large Volta-shaped belt buckle. A silver t-shirt emerged as a wardrobe essential for all fashion enthusiasts.
Stealing the show were the playful blue vinyl trench-coat dress and jacket and shorts combo of the same style, both radiating a youthful and vibrant energy. Glistening suit jackets and trouser combinations elevated the collection and added an air of refinement to the otherwise playful clothing.
Faina
Get ready to immerse yourself in the rave core vibes of Faina’s latest collection, which is undoubtedly ready to take Berlin by storm. The runway was ablaze with the glimmering allure of Faina’s striking trousers, frilled jumpsuits, and impeccably tailored suits that caught the light with every strut. One standout ensemble featured a ruffled crop-top paired with wide flared trousers, creating a head-turning silhouette. An oversized, glittering suit added a touch of sophistication to the show, while the lace-up leather trousers exuded a cool chick attitude.
Founded in 2007, the FAINA brand has become a household name in Armenia and true to the brand’s identity, the new collection did not disappoint with this show stopping collection.
Soncess
Soncess unveiled an exquisite collection that showcased the designer’s mastery of cut-out jackets. Each jacket was creatively tailored, highlighting the designer’s expertise in crafting unique silhouettes. The muted colour palette allowed the designs to take centre stage, captivating the audience with their intricate details. The trousers featured creative hemlines, adding an extra touch of artistry to the collection.
SONCESS drew inspiration from the Armenia’s landscape with mountain lines, gorges, winding roads, and the earthy colors serving as the backdrop for Sona Hakobyan’s collection. While the collection exuded a uniquely feminine aesthetic, the menswear looks were equally elegant and refined. The attention to detail was evident throughout, even extending to the beautifully crafted bags that complemented the outfits FAULTlessly.
RUZANE
Yerevan Fashion Week unveiled a mesmerising collection by RUZANE, featuring beautiful leather dresses and fringe bottom skirts and while the collection predominantly embraced a black colour palette, a standout look in menswear was the blue sleeveless jacket paired with pleated trousers. The addition of zipper details on the collection’s jackets elevated the showcase and injected even more edgy vibes into the already rebellious showcase.
LOOM Weaving
The final show of Yerevan Fashion Week culminated with a breathtaking display of LOOM Weaving’s latest collection. Featuring beautifully crafted sheer shirts, oversized knitwear, tassel handbags and more, designer Inga Manukyan design expertise shone through. Oversized knits in vibrant colours added a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise muted collection, while the lace dresses and sheer shirts exuded elegance and grace.
Designer Inga Manukyan, a graduate of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, draws inspiration from the spiritual culture and uniqueness of Armenian carpet weaving and the distinctive knitting techniques and exquisite design made LOOM Weaving the perfect ending to a very impressive Yerevan Fashion Week.
Photography: Arnos Martirosyan, Karen Davtyan, Hayk Baghdasaryan, Aram Kirakosyan, Karapet Sahakyan and Adel Brekht