INsite Magazine

Saturday, April 10, 2010

GFW Day 3: Sironna, Mesh & Dahlia

The third night of Gainesville Fashion Week demonstrated the event's expansion with artists and designers coming from out of town (and out of the country) to partake in the event. The show began with a live performance by Indigovox from Atlanta, GA, followed by the Colombian swimwear line Sironna Swimwear; a new downtown boutique, Mesh; and closed by local favorite Dahlia.

Sironna Swimwear
Andrew Avila

In Colombia getting ready for the beach is like getting ready for the red carpet. The women come pre-toned and pre-tanned, with eccentric matching swimsuits, headgear and beach bags. Sironna Swimwear brought that attention to detail stateside with its collection of Caribbean-toned, hand-embellished swimsuits, headbands and shoulder bags.

The Sironna Colombian design team reminded us that the No. 1 tool for looking good and feeling good while wearing minimal coverage is confidence. And Sironna knows just how to offer that. Sironna uses fabrics and cuts that hit just at the right angles and cling just to the right places to make for the most flattering swimsuits. Add to that touches like ruffles on the bust to add volume to smaller chests; boleros along the waist to carve out a waistline and colorful weaving under the bustline of one-pieces to create the illusion of a longer torso, and you have a swimwear line that knows how a woman wants to look and feel. "We were really embracing hippie-chic with this collection," the designers said backstage. "We don't let any piece of fabric go to waste."

Mesh
Boutique
Andrew Avila

Last night we welcomed another newcomer into the Gainesville fashion scene, Mesh boutique. The downtown store pleased every woman in the audience as it showed a varied collection that offered something for Gainesville's diverse population. We can see the wide-leg pants being perfect for "Casual Fridays" at work, and the breezy onesies being sported by girls all over campus. Or take your pick from the strapless maxi dresses just right for running errands on hot days; a one-shoulder body-con, bandage, color-block dress for a sexy night on the town; or a DIY-style strapless dress for a day browsing the farmers' market. What it came down to at the Mesh show was functionality. From corseted tops for nights when you just want to feel flirty, to flowing shapes for days you want to sway with the summer breeze, Mesh presented pieces for every occasion and demographic.

Dahlia
Andrew Avila

Dahlia's arsenal comes from its store owner, Christy Morgan, being a true trend-sett
er herself. She dresses her girls not in what is conventionally sexy, or what the men will find hot, but instead chooses looks that are alluring for their intrinsic femininity and sophistication that makes the woman wearing it feel unique and in control.

She gave us flowing silks, with zippered accents for edge; American outlaw denim and leather vests over softer pieces; an array of prints ready for an art gallery storefront; and plenty of shine in the fashion of quiet metallic fabrics and not just splashes of color, but full on colorful looks highlighted by colorful accessories like hot pink and rainbow sparkle clutches. Along the lines of the more urban looks she showcased, we love the denim shorts, black tank and oversized, fringed sailor sweater-look a model sported with chunky booties. And who can forget the jewelry? An array of cascading crystals, and large chain-linked necklaces, which draped the models, further highlighting Dahlia's talent for style that is bold and tasteful.

-Stephanie Granada, photos by Andrew Avila and Andres Farfan

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