Charles Borg and Ron Van Maarschalkerweerd, the fashion design team behind Charles & Ron, brought their beautiful Maltese culture back to the runway at New York Fashion Week for the Art Hearts Fashion event on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. I discovered the team’s wonderful designs the Nolcha Events during the SS’16 season so I was quite pleased to be attending their show again.
There was a feeling of sleek royalty as the models took the floor. They wore crown printed fabric and the words “SAINT” and “EMPRESS” were used on some pieces.
“We draw inspiration from the decorative lights seen on the basilica in our home town during feasts,” said Borg, “The crown print was inspired by the crown of the town’s patron Saint Helen. She was an empress therefore the use of the words on the bags.”
Borg went on to explain the inspiration behind hues and accessories walking the runway. “[The] color scheme had an ecclesiastical inspiration. The bags are all handcrafted and the designs were inspired by a bag we had the honor to design as a gift for HRH Queen Elizabeth II”.
The prominent color palette, described to me by Van Maarschalkerweerd, consists of Cardinal Pink, Warm Red, Saffron Yellow, Rich Classic Camel and Black. Cardinal Pink is the most important color in the collection. “It is an exciting rich color that brightens up our winter palette.” Their must-have item for fall is the short hybrid caperjacket made in a colorblock mix that incorporates all the colors in the collection.
Charles and Ron continue to impress at NYFW. I will be anxiously awaiting next season as I dream about adding their designs to my own wardrobe.
All photography by Julie Stanley.
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