Street-style watchers will recognize Natalia Alaverdian, Harper’s Bazaar Russia’s diminutive fashion editor and the woman responsible for some of its most eye-popping spreads. But fewer know she’s also the force behind her own ready-to-wear line, A.W.A.K.E. (which stands for All Wonderful Adventures Kindle Enthusiasm), which debuted with a presentation during Paris fashion week. But, like all good collections, her Spring offerings deserved a second look. So Alaverdian hauled the collection to New York this week and took Style.com through the lineup, which fuses sixties mod with Japanese elements. “I’ve wanted to design since I was about ten years old, but I was scared of the technical aspect of it, so I went into styling,” said Alaverdian. “My boyfriend convinced me to take the leap. Life’s too short,” she added while flipping through pieces like a statement-making floor-length gown cut from giraffe-printed grosgrain and a sharp three-piece white canvas suit. “It’s very Saturday Night Fever,” she said of the ensemble.
The newly minted designer pulled inspiration from Richard Avedon’s iconic seventies images of Veruschka in Japan; hence the pleated samurai culottes, flared trousers, and checked belts with origami-like folds. It’s the kind of playful, effortless clothing that will drive the fashion paparazzi wild. On the topic of street-style celebs, don’t get Alaverdian crossed with those other oft-photographed Russians. “Compared to the other popular Russians, I actually do something,” she joked.
A.W.A.K.E. is currently available on Moda Operandi.
—Brittany Adams
Photo: Courtesy of A.W.A.K.E.
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