The complicated times we’re living in are leading to moments of deep reflection, with designers finding inspiration in unexpected places. The eye-popping maelstrom of visual excess and power that was Alfredo Martinez’s fall 2021 collection took its cues from Suspiria, the 1977 movie that earned Dario Argento a reputation as the master of horror.
Martinez works at the nexus between ready-to-wear and couture. Leather, lace, and silk are prominent in his new collection, as are deep necklines and skirts that flatter the female silhouette in daring ways. Bold and audacious, his show was divided into three parts, much like Argento’s movie. The three mothers from the coven are represented through the designs and colors, the first one being gray, then a navy that moved slowly through gold, red, and black.
“I’ve been working on this collection for a while. My idea was to create pieces that are easy to combine even if the designs look kind of over the top,” he said. The collection sends a message: that when we are together women have a power that can change the future. After a year-plus of joggers and sweatshirts, Martinez reclaimed feminine strength through textures and cuts that make you feel confident, strong and—why not?—sexy.
