Birds of a feather

Following the success of Busardi’s London Fashion Week debut last season, the Thai fashion label took over a Georgian mansion in London’s posh Mayfair to set the tone for its highly anticipated runway collection “Air”.
The spring and summer 2015 collection, which was inspired by the diverse landscapes of South America and presented as part of London Fashion Week last month, took spectators along on a journey with an archetypal Busardi woman through the glacier hewn fields of Patagonia, past the smoking plunge pools of the Iguazu Falls and into the golden pink sand deserts of Argentina.
Honing in on the ethereal beauty for which the brand is renowned, models wafted along the catwalk in exquisitely crafted gowns that played with layering and transparency to create new codes of modern femininity. At times, they were personified into resplendent eagles covered in an armour of ear cuffs, bracelets and necklaces moulded in solid silver and covered with crystals and pearls that challenged the traditional notions of eveningwear. The attachment of soft ostrich feathers on cocktail dresses, evening gowns and jackets hinted at exquisite birds in flight, while lace-formed adornments commanded a serene glacial allusion.
Layered with more philosophical implications, oxygen took centre stage showing how air sustains all life but its power can also freeze great swathes of water and waterfalls into icebergs. Billowing silhouettes glided down the catwalk, while more structured pieces were adorned with feathers that gently floated through the air.
The entire collection of luxurious gowns and dresses had a carefree, laissez-faire mood, enhanced by Busardi’s signature use of embroidery, lace and applique
Co-founded in 2009 by Busardi Muntarbhorn and her son Tuck, Busardi is a pret-a-couture label based in Bangkok and the entire Air collection was designed, produced and manufactured in Thailand.
Grounded in couture roots, Muntarbhorn was the creative director and head designer at family owned Yoswadee, Thailand’s oldest surviving fashion house, before launching her own brand in collaboration with the talented Tuck.
While the floating hemlines and floor skimming skirts of Air maintained the red-carpet grandeur at the Mayfair showing, nothing quite encapsulated the glamorous mood like the finale piece– a evening outfit adorned with hundreds of grey ostrich feathers layered around the shoulders of a trademark cape. Heavily encrusted ear cuffs framed the model’s face, while delicate hand embroidered applique finely decorated the waist of a silk dress and a silver tulle skirt trailing the runway, mirroring the tail of a great bird as she
The colours palette for spring and summer 105 included light blue, beige, powder blue, lilac, aqua, dusky pink, gold, baby blue, laurel green, sky blue, silver, taupe, orange, rose, pink, purple, turquoise, nude, white, cream, grey blue and silver. In addition to the ostrich feathers, fabrics included lace, chiffon, taffeta, duchess satin, silk jacquard, shantung, silk, organza, crepe satin, organza, tulle, cloque and wool.