Powerful elegance that comes naturally

It’s a decade since designer Joseph Altuzarra started his eponymous label in New York. That’s 10 years of creating an elegant signature mix of femininity and flawless tailoring, all influenced by his multicultural upbringing – born and raised in Paris, his father is French Basque and his mother Chinese-American. Along the way he’s won multiple awards, including the CFDA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year, and dressed everyone from Rihanna to the Duchess of Cambridge. And, in the latest evolution of the label, the SS18 collection marked its big move from New York to the Paris Fashion Week schedule.

Peruse the pieces and you’ll soon see that they more than lived up to the extra level of anticipation. The collection draws on Princess Mononoke, a Japanese animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki that tells the story of the gods of the forest and their battle against the humans who relentlessly consume resources. The fight between industry and nature led Altuzarra to weave handmade and home-made elements into his polished luxury; look closely and you’ll find knitted details, patchwork elements, bohemian embroidery, fringing, and raw and unfinished edges.

Make no mistake, though, the crafty elements by no means dampened the grown-up glamour and powerful confidence that make Altuzarra so appealing. From the colorful prints of the silk wraparound dresses with their asymmetric handkerchief hems and simple printed button-ups through to the evening-ready slips hidden under a sheer black fishnet layer, they are all impeccably crafted and blended with an ease that makes them effortless to wear.

And then there are the co-ordinating separates – an Altuzarra go-to. This season, they make their appearance in natural shades and subtly printed cottons, trimmed with pom-poms, giving them the air of treasures found in a far-flung location, but waisted with black leather belts to ensure urban appeal. And then there’s the tailoring… After university, Altuzarra trained with expert pattern maker Nicolas Caito to ensure his construction skills were really on point, making him the master of a crisp cut. And his signature cropped jackets, whether in cotton or leather, will always be forever favorites.

And you’ll want to step out in the shoes, too – block-heeled, multi-strapped sandals in monochrome that will wrap around your ankles and work with everything from easy-breezy dresses to polished separates all season long.

The label has dreamed up the ultimate summer wardrobe; it has you covered whether you’re looking for an office-appropriate look to see you through summer in the city, after-dark dresses that mix classic with cool, or pieces with just the requisite amount of polish to ensure you look good beachside. Add them to your wish list now, and your closet will thank you.