Some are predicting a return to the glittery and jittery Roaring Twenties as we re-emerge this year. David Koma has another idea: A sensual exuberance more aligned with the limelight nights of the ’70s disco scene. It’s still nostalgic, but at least a little more recent—and he has the cred to back it up: Koma rang in 2021 at a party with Cher. A 36-song playlist that winds from the hits of Diana Ross and Donna Summer to newer tracks from Goldfrapp and Daft Punk accompanies his resort 2022 collection to set the mood.
As far as silhouette goes, Koma is more Bob Mackie than Halston. He loves skin and sparkle—both ideas that are being resurrected by Gen Z’s Y2K revival—and reports that, thanks to a return to normal life in the United States, sales of his most special and slinky pieces are rising. Aspiring Chers will find lots to love from resort: lace-up crystal minis, plunging V-front maxiskirts, and lingerie-ish lace-trimmed slips are some of the best tailored Hot Girl items of the season. For actual tailoring, Koma’s sunset suits in tangerine and lilac will get the job done.
Koma’s return to glitz comes after a year of brand evolution. During the pandemic he tackled comfortwear, sweats, and knits, finding clever ways to engineer these more everyday pieces into his collection. Resort brings the launch of swim, with rhinestone flowers and jewel prints on bikinis and one-pieces. With each new season, he gets closer and closer to a fully realized wardrobe that can take his “Koma girls” anywhere, from pool to party to discotheque.
