Sorapol AW13/14 collection titled ‘Immortal’ tells the tale
of Xiaohe, a young girl given to a Chinese Emperor as a diplomatic gift.
As she travels through Asia, India and Persia
to her final destination, she becomes deluded and begins to believe that she is
the ruler of every land she visits, demanding the most exquisite jewels and
luxuries.
Designer Sorapol Chawaphatnakul certainly succumbs to these demands
with extravagant silk fabrics, lavish prints, detailed embroidery and ornate
finishings.
Wooden stilt sandals restrict the models’ walk to a slow
pace and elevate the models into her ‘Xiaohe’ regal persona, high above those
of her lowly subjects. The ornate headpieces designed by Emily Frances Barrett,
give more height and ensure she stands majestically straight.
The collection is a mix of dramatic couture creations and
those of elegant and polished Ready to Wear pieces.
For drama the skirt of one heavily embroidered
outfit formed a wide and exaggerated fishtail design with the contrasting silk bottom
exploding in to a voluminous bubble shape and sweeping the floor with its short
train.
