Designers Get Inspired by Cuba for Resort 2016
Tulum, Nicaragua, and even Asia can forget about it, fashion has a new love and her name is Cuba. Now that relations with the Cuban government have eased, people are flocking to the country to see its rich and colorful culture, including Havana’s incredible 16th century architecture, the 1950s American-made cars, salsa fun, and the inspiring music of the famous Tropicana club. Sounds like a recipe for the perfect fashion inspiration? Yes it is! Ever since President Obama announced a diplomatic revival with Cuba a few months back, the fashion pack booked and hopped over the Straits of Florida to (legally) experience firsthand what this incredible country has to offer. Designers, who are astutely aware of cultural shifts, took notice. This week the Cuban effect in not one, but three resort collections.
First up was Stella McCartney who went all out and threw a Cuban soiree, even going so far as to invite actors portraying Fidel Castro and Che Guevara to come out and enjoy mojitos and chocolate cigars. The clothes included long and voluminous dresses in bright colors that are perfect to salsa in, while floral prints were a nod to the country’s tropical side. A white dress with white knit with ruffles was perhaps influenced by what the Cubans refer to as “iyawó,” or people who wear all white when initiated into a weeklong Santería process.
Proenza Schouler’s trip to Cuba recently was more than just for inspiration. Designer Lazaro Hernandez has family in Cuba and his time there made a huge impact on their Resort collection. Tropical prints, ruffles, and crochet dresses were their take on the Cuban experience.
Next up was Adam Lippes who reinterpreted his Cuban dream in a very delicate way. A khaki green leather coat that was tied at the waist and paired with a skirt with bright red heels was an obvious nod to the country’s revolutionary past. A beautiful white shirt was Lippes’ take on the Cuban ‘Guayabera,’ aka a man’s wedding shirt. A jungle print on a long, flowing dress represented the tropics. Feel the heat!
