During a summer stay in Greece, David Koma attended the wedding of a friend who developed a fascination with the country’s ancient artifacts and mythology. A designer known for dedicating his collections to a particular muse, he chose Aphrodite as his getaway. “She’s an unbelievable character with such depth,” Koma shared in the preview. “She had the perfect balance of strength and softness.”
Aphrodite is widely considered the goddess of love, but historical references also link her to the symbolism of the fish, a theme that runs through the whole series. The structure of the angel fish is imaginatively reinterpreted as black crystal embroidery and plexiglass embellishments adorning the breasts and hips of the dresses, either alone or in pairs. The graceful form of the koi fish is amplified on this seductive cutout midi dress embroidered with crystals. Elsewhere, black silk mesh patterns came to life with vibrant neon prints depicting tropical fish. To accentuate the curves of the body, 3D chrome swirls are subtly placed on the neckline, thigh slit and hip of a crepe mini dress.
The effect of water – synonymous with Aphrodite’s connection to the ocean, where she is said to have been born – is rendered crisp through the use of a sheer, liquid-like sequined fabric Aqua and pink shades. It was cut into petticoats, cropped tops and long skirts with an extended train. Other sheer moments included shapewear stretch silk dresses with silk trim, and an open-back mint crochet-knit gown embellished with hundreds of crystals.
Koma reworked his classic biker jacket in metallic leather shades of pink and aqua; a tonal shearling jacket added another dimension to the overall silhouette. Well-tailored black wool jackets and trousers contrast the collection. “It was important for me to experiment with juxtaposition,” he asserts. “It’s about combining strong outerwear styling with the fluid, feminine vibe of eveningwear.”
