Imagery throughout courtesy of Marcelo Soubhia / Ag. Fotosite

Being one of the most eagerly-awaited collections of every season of São Paulo Fashion Week, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to think of Ronaldo Fraga’s fashion shows as art installations. Each season, the designer brings a new theme to the catwalk and makes up a world of beauty and dreams. His AW10 collection saw the German choreographer Pina Bausch as a muse because, in Ronaldo’s own words, “While you expect of Pina some kind of German discipline, she would put up a circus!”

Born in Brazil, Ronaldo graduated in Fashion Design and then finished a post graduation course at Parson’s School in NY. From there he travelled to London and undertook another degree at Central Saint Martins. His official debut as a fashion designer was in 1997 and he has been showing his collections at SPFW since 2001.

During the AW10 men and women’s collection, everyone’s attention was caught by the play with forward and reverse. The models were hiding in their ambiguity having their faces covered with wigs and a mask placed on the back of their heads. They walked around wooden chairs with a purposeful rhythm, as if they were dancing.

The strongest highlights of the collection were the construction of several suits designed back to front, and the intense volume on the frilled shoulders and fringed coats. Silhouettes were loose and there was a clear kaleidoscope of colours that ranged from grey and black to bright warm tones such as yellow, pink, red, and orange. To top off what was a unique show the models came down from the catwalk to shake hands with random people in the audience.

Pina broke through the boundaries and barriers between dancers and audience and made a revolution in the concept of dancing. Without trying to understand Pina Bausch’s processes, Ronaldo just tried to have fun with it, delivering one the most entertaining show of the season.

The designer himself- Ronaldo Fraga.

Written by Mariana Guimaraes on Thursday January 21st, 2010 3:27 pm

Tags:

Central Saint Martins, Mariana Guimaraes, Parsons The New School for School of Design, Pina Bausch, Ronaldo Fraga, Sao Paulo Fashion Week

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