La Perla Pre-Fall 2018: Optimistic, Effervescent and Full of Joy

Travels to Spain, Italy and Greece over the past year have brought La Perla’s Creative Director Julia Haart face-to-face with 6th century mosaics in Ravenna (Italy), Arabesque architecture in Alhambra (Spain), and the great idiosyncratic work of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona (Spain).

Drawing inspiration from both the whimsical aesthetic of Gaudi and the intricate mosaics of Ravenna, Haart has created for pre-fall 2018 (PF18) a mood that is optimistic, effervescent, and full of the joy to be found in life.

Julia Haart, La Perla Creative Director

‘’This collection further evolves my desire to challenge the world of fashion by giving women a new choice. I want to eradicate the idea that women have to suffer for beauty. I believe the future of luxury fashion is understanding the dedication to craft that exists in old world luxury and melding that with the cutting edge advancements that the new world offers without compromising quality. It is the symbiotic relationship of the two that will guide the industry to not only dress women but enhance their lives as well.”

In the collection, the recurring heart motif best expresses this intention of creating “childlike hope”; it is playfully articulated in multiple forms from the interlacing embroidery to the silver clasps found on the belts. One can also see the influence of mosaics in the embroidery, print, and embellishments.

Additionally, the palette projects a whimsical mood with its bold colors such as tomato red, fiery orange, Oxford blue, and canary yellow.

Beyond the recurring use of hearts and mosaics, the underlying focus of the collection is on innovation and comfort. Haart’s unwavering ambition is to ensure that women don’t need to suffer for fashion. Therefore, we see many of the hallmarks of La Perla’s design aesthetic from Leavers lace to built-in cups developed in a new way. We see an evolution of these concepts without losing track of the house’s DNA.

Ready-To-WearReady-to-wear is designed for the kind of woman who is after effortless sensuality. Silhouettes are created to accentuate feminine curves, but above all are intended to be easy and comfortable to wear. Tonal dressing and ultra-luxurious fabrications also add to the brand’s philosophy of ease of wear.

Trousers are at first fitted and then gradually widen, offering flexibility while remaining very flattering. Dresses are elevated with swirls of open embroidery, Leavers lace, and sensual figure-enhancing panels. In particular, there is a shimmery coffee-colored ruched gown with a thigh-high split sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite for glamour without sacrificing comfort.

There is also a unique range of casual separates that have game-changing potential. “Why have ordinary sweats and knits when you can have Luxe Leisure?” asks Haart. Luxe Leisure is made from supremely-soft cashmere and silk with handcrafted embellishments. It takes La Perla’s luxury craftsmanship and combines it with the comfort of leisurewear, thus adding gloss to everyday pieces.

The pre-fall 2018 collection further develops Haart’s vision to provide women with a sense of freedom, and eliminate the pre-existing notions of how women should dress by offering alternatives that are beautiful yet comfortable.
As Haart notes, “I just want women to be happier in the clothes they wear. This sentiment comes at a time when we need it most; we need more childlike hope and joy in our lives.’’

Photos courtesy of La Perla