Masha Ma’s AW 11 collection was both expected and surprising; we saw her classic but experimental tailoring fused with PVC and a bolder colour palette for ultimate sex appeal.
Notably an architecturally inspired designer, her cashmere and calf skin coats stormed down the runway with waterfall necklines and caped shoulders. Masses of fabric were layered presenting womanly excess. This was paired against lighter silk and satin fabrics used for roll neck skin tight tops.
Collars were extravagant organza and some featured black glitter detail and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Other intricate details on the heavy coats included silver buttons, neck straps and delicate, revealing zips.
Ma’s juxtaposition of hard and soft pieces saw pale aqua, grey-brown and beige pencil trousers worn with scarlet red, stark white and black (an atypical choice for Ma who has favoured a lighter palette for past seasons). This month, sex siren Rosie Huntington-Whiteley starred on the cover of Vogue, which announced that glamour is back in fashion. Whilst the designer stayed true to her love of pastels, ‘DeCon’ introduces a sexier side to the Masha woman, ‘a strong yet subtle’ celebration of the female form.
Personally, I am dying to get my hands on the cherry-red latex boots that gave the brushed felt and velvet blazers a violent presence. A Fashion Scout favourite, Masha Ma undoubtedly shone this season.
Admiring Masha Ma's designs : Madam Fu, Wife of the Chinese Ambassador to the UK
Words : Tess Stam
Images : Ezzidin Alwan
Illustration : Andy Bumpus