Designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua presented N°21 Pre-Fall 2021 womenswear collection that pays homage to actress, fashion icon and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. The collection focuses on natural femininity, with subtle sensuality, in no way aggressive, nor menacing to self or alarming for others. It explores feminine classics in soft pastel pinks, blues, yellows and a mirrored metal contrast along with touches of black and gray plus some optical white & black checks, and nude color.
PRE-FALL 2021 COLLECTION
I dedicated this collection to Marilyn Monroe because I recognize in her quite a modern attitude toward sensuality. Despite her reputation as a “dumb blond” (frivolous woman), I think Marilyn embodied a wholesome and natural form of sensuality. She appealed to men and did not spark alarm in women, for — as Truman Capote called her — she was “a beautiful child” in whose spontaneous manner and demeanor others found “some sort of platinum sex-explosion.” That’s why I used all the standard elements of female sensuality, from bras to low-cut necklines, from bodysuits to culottes, from ample coats worn with nothing underneath to tube skirts and metallic bustiers… all while capturing a simplified expression of femininity that belongs very much to today’s world: perfect naturalness. – Alessandro Dell’Acqua
Fashion photographer Jacopo Benassi captured N°21 Pre-Fall 2021 lookbook featuring the striking Eli Romanova. In charge of styling was Margherita Moro, with casting direction from Andrea Prato. Beauty is work of hair stylist Paolo Soffiatti, and makeup artist Luciano Chiarello.
“Ample coats in double vichy check fabric, worn with nothing underneath coat-dress style, or in tartan plaid knit with crystals-studded corduroy collar; plaid knit tube skirts complete with lace, or faux nappa leather ones with a metallic sheen, likewise for the tops with lace edging; and then micro cardigans in pastel shades of mohair, skinny tank tops in mesh-like wool, wide neck puffer jackets with fitted waist and detachable collar, dresses in mohair mesh, both a chiffon skirt and a dress with red mouth motif (in crystals), lace dresses with sheath doubled on the inside, long satin slip-dresses, mannish plaid shirts, not to sport with the black jeans that instead go with micro cardigans gathered at the bust. Lastly, a long allegory of femininity in the form of nude color sweatshirts and tees with “Marilyn” lettering.” – from N°21
