ALICIA PERRILLO

ALICIA PERRILLO returns to Vancouver Fashion Week from her home city of Chicago. Perrillo is an award-winning graduate of the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago’s fashion program. The brand ALICIA PERRILLO was started in 2016 and first showed at VFW in 2017. Perrillo designs a line that features contemporary silhouettes with the traditions of handcrafted details associated with Haute Couture.

DESIGNER QUOTE
“In this collection, I explored light, textures, and silhouettes inspired by the emotions felt while gazing up at the stars in the Small Hours of the night. When the unknown possibilities of the universe are most evocative and humbling. The collection uses sequined, beaded, and iridescent fabrics to mimic far-away galaxies and falling stars tumbling to Earth. The dazzling color story is provided by images from the Hubble telescope: black, purple, blue, teal, red, white, silver, and gold. Gazing at the stars, I concentrated on the ebb and flow of emotions from tight loneliness to vast wonder and used it to inform my shapes and embellishments.”— Alicia Perrillo

excerpt from VFW website.

ALICIA PERRILLO- THE REVIEW

I met Alicia Perrillo only an hour before her clothes hit the runway. Therefore our brief conversation didn't give a lot of insight into what I was expecting to see. Rarely do I read a designer's description of their collection before I see it, because I would rather form my own opinion. In this case, I didn't do it either. However, I was a little puzzled by the collection Perrillo sent down the runway. The clothes were beautiful and skillfully made, but what did it all mean?

I then read the designers description( which is included in this post). I will admit here, I am an artist and not a scientist. Therefore I was not familiar with the photo's taken by the Hubble telescope. I then sought out these amazing photo's and all seemed right in the galaxy.

The first garments down the runway set the tone for this evening wear collection. To open, a bright and fun bugle beaded bustier with an asymmetrical ruffled skirt is night club ready. The only print in the collection is midnight blue with white and is paired with sparkling silvery beads, giving the impression of the galactic theme. A white balloon sleeve ruffled top with trousers is exquisitely executed.

ALICIA PERRILLO

With a heavy influence on sequins and embellishment, Perrillo takes her inspiration from the sparkling night sky. The color palette drawn from those Hubble telescope images runs the spectrum using black, purple, blue, teal, red, white, silver, and gold. The collection features multiple silhouettes, all designed for that evening out. Ruffles accentuate the shapes. A ruffled rainbow sequined skirt with a red billowing blouse is a crowd-pleaser. A large variety of fabrics are used to show texture, volume and luster. Organza is used to create a voluminous gown that is a red carpet showstopper.

The dresses of this collection are bold and bright and glittering. The final two down the runway sum up that galaxy theme, like a sky blazing with stars. You can imagine these clothes dancing the night away. I applaud this collection for being expansive and bold. This is a confident collection; for the woman who is vibrant enough to not be outshone by daring silhouettes and all the glitz and glamor.

IN CONCLUSION

I have detected a theme arising from Vancouver Fashion Week 22 and fashion in general, and it's all about going out. While we were in lockdown and longing for the world outside, designers around the globe locked away in their studios seemed to tap into a Universal party vibe. The vibrancy and fun depicted in many collections at VFW, including the collection of Alicia Perrillo, has been exciting. The overall theme, we have survived and are ready to celebrate. I encourage you to be safe, get some new designer attire, dress up, and go out.

J. ANDREW JACKSON & ALICIA PERRILLO

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW