Austrian designer Lena Hoschek presented her Autumn/ Winter 2017/18 collection “Dollhouse” on the 17th of January 2017, the first show day of Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Having chosen silver baloons and pink letters as runway decoration, this collection sparkled and shined. The whole collection felt like a pure jollification and expressed pure joie de vivre. It felt like a walk through a carefree, colourful world. The message behind this collection: in a world filled with problems and sorrows, dare to have fun, live your live and shine bright like a diamond. Therefore it felt like a welcome change within many Autumn/ Winter collection kept in rather restrained, darker hues.
SEE MORE FROM MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN
Lena Hoschek took her inspiration for this collection from sundry decades: the glamorous, joyful pin- ups and showgirls of the ’50, the vibrant disco era of the ’70s met the romantic kitch & trash of the ’80s and ’90s. Her inspirational characters are icons from those decades, for instance Jane Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe, Jane Fonda and Blondie, but also Courtney Love and Peggy Bundy. Lena Hoschek chose her very own party crowd that made the room sparkle and shine. It radiated good mood like rays of sunshine. If Cinderella took a walk through Disney Land, she would wear those pieces, including glittering pumps and elegant gloves.
Under the slogan “Girls just wanna have fun“, the Austrian designer showed a collection that symbolizes both strength and sex appeal. Some of the collections’ pieces appear high- necked yet sexy with just the right amount of each. For example a sky blue blouse that is embellised with ruffles is paired with a coquettish A-line mini skirt and worn with daring rose glittering pumps. But also leopard print pattern has been shown in charming candy colours and glitter can be found throughout the collection- even on the models’ lips.
Worth of mentioning is the very unique detail- awareness of this collection: look at those striking Mickey Mouse-, lipstick-, polka dots-, leopard- and hearts prints that can be noticed in numerous of the collections’ pieces. Due to her preference of A-lines and a length that is often lapping around the knee, all of those creations always stay utterly wearable. Girls just wanna have fun!
Next to wide- swinging Fifties dresses that are mostly focused on the waist, there are also close fitting “wiggle dresses” that remind us of Hollywood divas of past decades. Those formfitting dresses often sparkle and shine which makes the looks even more glamorous. Definitely divine!
The range of colours is dominated by candy hues, such as mint, rose, sky blue and cream. In addition to those tones, some classy shades are used as well, such as night blue, brown and black.
One of our favourite creations of this collection are floor- length couture dresses in silk that are equipped with a bow on the bodice and kept in striking rose- and red tones. Absolutely astonishing!
The eye- catching glittering pumps completed the charming girly looks. The make- up of the models is kept blithe, with a soft rose blush on the cheeks, matching eye- shadow and lips that are embellished with glitter details.
The designer described her collection with the following words: “My aim in creating this collection was to set reason to one side and do things purely out of fun. It was important for me to focus on zest for life and to convey a sense of great optimism with my collection.“
We will definitely keep an eye on Lena Hoschek and on all upcoming collections.
*Images Courtesy of Lena Hoschek
Review by Sussan Zeck for D’SCENE Magazine
