Charles & Ron Return to Art Hearts Fashion for NYFW SS19

I’m always delighted to attend the Charles & Ron shows at New York Fashion Week. This seasons SS’19 Collection, 316 km², was presented on the colorful runway of the Angel Orensanz Foundation during the popular Art Hearts Fashion events on Saturday Sept. 8th 2018 at 9pm.

Fashion Mingle: How many years have you guys been a designing duo?

Charles + Ron: About 25 years.

FM: You guys have been showing at Arts Hearts Fashion week for many years.

C+R: I think for about 4 years.

FM: What is it about this particular fashion show that you always want to return to?

C+R: I think the atmosphere is cool and we get to show in LA as well so it’s a perfect combination for us.

FM: Nice. A lot of variety. Where can people buy your collection?

C+R: We have 2 stores back in Malta and opening our third soon. We also have an online store so international clients can purchase online.

Charles & Ron bring international flare to the runway

Season after season, C&R show love for and draw much inspiration from their beautiful home country of Malta. This show gives us an intimate feel for the limestone villages of Malta and Gozo and their array of pastel buildings that are displayed in this season’s whimsical color palette.

I felt the warm embrace of summer while my camera lens was filled with the brilliant shades of Sunburst Orange, Sunflower Yellow, Light Sky Blue, Lilac and Mint, paired with the classic black and white of C&R. The garments flowed like a soft summer breeze, made with lovely materials including Chiffon, Silk, soft Tulle, Cotton knit, light wash Denim and something new for them this season is embroidered denim fabric.The urban villages are not the only source of inspiration in this collection. Charles & Ron introduce us to many of their local friends in the animal kingdom through gorgeous prints and embroideries of the Wall Lizard, the Freshwater Crab, the Maltese Falcon and the Dolphin Fish.

FM: What’s new and unique about your collection this season?

C+R: It’s very colorful. We always get inspired by our Mediterranean backgrounds and we get Maltese species, animals, like a particular fish, the Maltese Falcon, and the freshwater crab.

FM: Very cool. It sounds like you have an exciting show! We are looking forward to seeing that.

Their beaded gowns are hand made and graphics are always designed in house. Many other in house creations for the show include custom jewelry, Italian leather belts and shopper style bags and matching boots..

I surely felt swept away to this warm and friendly place while the music of the Maltese/Gozitan band “The Travelers” accompanied the show with a special edit for this C&R runway event.

FM: Do you have anything new coming up over the next year that you want to tell us about?

C+R: We are excited to launch the new season, the new collection. And as Charles mentioned we will also be showing in LA, so for us these are the 2 things that are happening in the near future, and we are opening a new store back home, so that is exciting.

FM: That’s very exciting! That would be 3 stores in Malta, then? That’s the place to go! Are you showing LA Fashion Week in October?

C+R: Yes we are. We are coming back in a week’s time because we are invited for the General Assembly of the United Nations, and then after that we will travel to LA.

FM: That’s big news! What are you doing with the United Nations?

C+R: We designed a dress for the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange which was in Buckingham Palace and now the dress is moving to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations and then after that we are also invited to the FIT Museum where our dress will be exhibited.

FM: That’s very exciting! I’m going to be at the LA Fashion Week, too, so maybe I’ll see you there!

During the hectic craziness of New York Fashion Week, it’s nice to have an escape to the comfort and charm of this wonderful island. Make sure to continue to follow Charles + Ron as they make their mark on the global fashion market and watch our full interview with the design duo below!